Longtime Eastern Kentucky Democrat joins the Republican Party
Republished from Kentucky Lantern
A long time Eastern Kentucky Democrat has announced she is joining the Republican Party.
Sen. Robin Webb, a Carter County state lawmaker who has served in the state legislature since 1999, was one of two Democrats left in the statehouse representing parts of Eastern Kentucky. The region was once a Democratic stronghold, turning to a Republican area over the last couple of decades.
She and other Republicans said it was a sign that the Democratic Party isn’t what it once was.
In a press release from the Republican Party of Kentucky, Webb said that she didn’t leave the Democratic Party, but “the party left me.” She added that her core values have not changed, just “the letter next to my name” and she will continue to focus on issues in rural Kentucky.
“The Kentucky Democratic Party has increasingly alienated lifelong rural Democrats like myself by failing to support the issues that matter most to rural Kentuckians,” Webb said. “First and foremost, I’m a mother, a rancher, and a lawyer with deep personal and professional roots in Kentucky’s coal country. As the Democratic party continues its lurch to the left and its hyperfocus on policies that hurt workforce and economic development in my region, I no longer feel it represents my values. It has become untenable and counterproductive to the best interests of my constituents for me to remain a Democrat.”
Webb thanked Republican Senate President Robert Stivers, other colleagues in the General Assembly and RPK for “the warm welcome.” She said she looks “forward to continuing to focus on sound policy with rural Kentucky’s best interests in mind.”
Webb was elected to the state Senate in 2009 after serving in the House for a decade, making her one of the current longest serving members of the General Assembly. Her district includes the northeastern Kentucky counties of Boyd, Carter, Greenup and Lewis.
With Webb’s switch, Democrats’ superminority in the Senate dwindles to six members. Republicans now have 32 seats in the chamber. She was often seen as the caucus’ more conservative member, sometimes voting with Republicans on culture war issues, like this year’s bill to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in public Kentucky universities.
Webb was also recently appointed by Stivers as the Senate co-chair of the Disaster Prevention and Resiliency Task Force, which will meet during the interim session. She sponsored a resolution to establish the panel.
Webb also often worked across the aisle to get legislation she supported past, particularly on agriculture and rural policies. Earlier this year, one of her bills gained passage in both the Republican-controlled Senate and House. Signed into law by Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear, the bill established new allied animal health professional licenses for equine dentistry and animal chiropractic practice.
Rep. Patrick Flannery, an Olive Hill Republican who represents Webb’s home county in the House, said in the press release that the party switch makes sense for Webb and her constituents.
“Robin and I have always had an excellent working relationship,” Flannery said. “She has served as a mentor to me and many others. We represent the same constituency, and she’s making the same decision that many of our people have already made by changing her registration.
Other Kentucky Republican leaders praised Webb for joining the party. RPK Chairman Robert J. Benvenuti III said in a statement that he met Webb when he was a state representative.
“I always respected that she approached issues in a very thoughtful and commonsense manner, and that she never failed to keenly focus on what was best for her constituents. It is my pleasure to welcome Sen. Robin Webb to the Republican Party,” he said. “Like countless other Kentuckians, she has recognized that the policies and objectives of today’s Democratic Party are simply not what they once were, and do not align with the vast majority of Kentuckians.”
Kentucky’s Republican National Committeeman John McCarthy and RNC Co-chair KC Crobsie, of Kentucky, also welcome Webb to the party’s ranks.
In the statehouse, the lone Democrat in the mountains left is Rep. Ashley Tackett Laferty, of Martin.
Webb can seek election again in 2026. She had no opponents in the 2022 election.
This story may be updated.
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