‘Villainized’ North Carolina lawmaker defects to Republicans after criticism for posting US flag
‘Villainized’ North Carolina lawmaker DEFECTS to Republicans of ‘bullying’ Democrats after liberals criticized her for posting US flag online
- Cotham was criticized for posting the American flag on social media
- The 44-year-old ex-school teacher was previously a lifelong Democrat
- Her former political allies denounced her “betrayal” by switching sides
A North Carolina lawmaker has walked out on Democrats after facing the wrath of liberals for posting the US flag on social media.
Tricia Cotham, 44, announced her departure to Republicans at a much-anticipated press conference after days of rumors about her possible switch.
“The modern Democratic Party has become unrecognizable to me and to so many others in this state.”
“The party wants everyone rogues who can think freely, judge freely,” the former schoolteacher added.
“If you don’t do exactly what the Democrats want you to do, they’ll try to bully you, they’ll try to throw you out,” she told reporters.
“What happened to the concept of a big tent party? What happened to these ideas that we’re inclusive, we’re tolerant, we’re so welcoming to everyone. No you’re not.’
Tricia Cotham, seen here announcing her defection to Republicans, lashed out at left-wing Democrats who she said mocked her for posting images of the US flag on social media
She accused her now former political allies of “berating me, going after my family, coming after my children.”
Ronna McDaniel, chair of the Republican National Committee, blamed her Democratic rivals for pushing Cotham into the arms of the conservative right.
“Even in a Biden district in a purple state, Democrats read the writing on the wall: Liberal policies are too extreme and they are failing Americans,” she said.
“Ahead of 2024 (and the presidential election), Republican momentum is growing and we are proud to welcome Tricia Cotham to the Republican Party.”
Cotham previously served as a Democrat in the North Carolina House of Representatives for ten years from 2007 before losing her seat in 2017.
She managed to return to the Tar Heel state legislature last year, winning in the 112th district at Charlotte.
She won nearly 49 percent of the vote in a four-candidate Democratic primary, then garnered 59 percent in the general election.
The United States has legislatures in each of its 50 states that pass local laws and budgets.
In most cases, legislators sit in a local House of Representatives and Senate, where they have significant powers to pass legislation on gun rights, abortion and same-sex marriage.
And Cotham’s decision to join the GOP now gives the party a veto-proof majority to push through a wide range of reforms.
It means Republicans can now make changes without having to compromise with Democratic Governor Roy Cooper.
On Tuesday, Cooper went on a bizarre and bitter Twitter diatribe, denouncing the state’s latest draft budget as “extreme policy.”
He urged lawmakers to “go back to the drawing board” on proposals that he said offered “even more tax breaks for rich people.”
Anderson Clayton, speaking to reporters here, demanded that Cotham leave the North Carolina House of Representatives
North Carolina Democratic Party chairwoman Anderson Clayton called Cotham’s move “treason” and called on her to resign.
“She no longer represents the values entrusted to her by voters and should resign immediately,” she said.
Harvard-educated attorney Kaivan Shroff, a left-wing commentator based in New York, branded Cotham “a traitor to democracy.”
She didn’t just betray her constituents. Now the entire state will be held hostage by an extremist Republican legislature,” enraged.