Glenn Jeffries is a state senator from West Virginia who is currently making headlines. The reason why is his public break up with the Democratic Party. The State Senator has left his lifelong party to join the Republicans. His move adds to the Republican supermajority in the state.
The GOP had a 30-seat majority in the 34-member Senate after the midterm election and now the majority is 31.
Jeffries was originally elected as a Democrat in 2016. He represents parts of Kanawha and Putnam counties in West Virginia. During his campaign, he vowed to reach across the aisle and “work bipartisanly.”
“Our politics have gotten so personal and difficult,” said Sen. Jeffries in a statement obtained by local station WBOY. “I want to make sure that I serve constituents and our state in a respectful, thoughtful way that leads to a better life for all West Virginians.”
Why did @GlennJeffriesWV make the switch from Democrat to Republican? He provides his reasoning with @HoppyKercheval. WATCH: https://t.co/yCFQ3nEhk6 pic.twitter.com/fSJzq10c21
— MetroNews (@WVMetroNews) December 1, 2022
In a statement, the state senator was a bit vague about the reason for his move but the West Virginia Democratic Party said Sen. Jeffries had “discomfort with Democratic Party values.”
In an interview with West Virginia Metro News, Sen. Jeffries said that he believes he can be more effective as a Republican.
Republican Senator Shelley Moore Capito celebrated Jeffries’s move to her Party.
“It’s great to hear that West Virginia State Senator Glenn Jeffries is joining the Republican Party,” Capito said. “As the senior-elected leader of West Virginia’s Grand Old Party, Glenn will be a great addition to our ranks. He is a proven business leader and his ongoing work in attracting new employers and opportunities to West Virginia makes him a great fit in our Republican Party.”
Tony Hodge, the Putnam County Republican Party Chairman and the Co-Chairman of the West Virginia Republican Party also welcomed the new comer.
“I warmly welcome Senator Glenn Jeffries into the West Virginia Republican Party,” Hodge told Metro News. “Senator Jeffries has proven himself to be a very hard worker for Putnam County. His efforts to improve infrastructure such as water and sewer services as well as road maintenance have been exemplary.”
Hodge explained that Jefferies is placing policy over party with the shift.
“Glenn described himself to me as a ‘conservative,’ and we agreed that his policy efforts in the State Senate would be elevated if he joined the majority Republican caucus. Glenn also expressed to me his discomfort with the leftward direction of the Democratic Party and that he no longer identifies with them.”
