San Diego Republican Assemblyman Switches to Democratic Party

San Diego Assemblyman Brian Maienschein has announced he has left the Republican Party and has registered as a Democrat. He made the announcement Thursday surrounded by the San Diego Assembly delegation, as well as other members of the Assembly Democratic Caucus.

Maienschein said the current state of the Republican Party was a factor in his decision.

"Donald Trump has led our party to the extreme on issues that divide our country. But his leadership is not the only reason for my change in party affiliation," Maienschein said. "I, too, have changed. As the Republican Party has drifted further right, I and my votes have shifted further to the left."

But there are also political factors at play.

Maienschein wasn’t sure he was going to make it back to the Assembly when he faced re-election last November. The moderate Republican has authored bills expanding social services and promoting mental health. But the blue wave that rolled over much of California almost took him down with it. Maienschein beat his Democratic challenger by just about 600 votes. Still, he insists his narrow win did not convince him to switch parties.

“The political calculations are for others to make," he said. "I’m proud of the votes that I’ve taken. I’ve crossed the aisle many times. And it will be nice to do that now and not hear criticism from my own caucus.”

Democrats welcome him with open arms. But Maienschein’s former caucus did not take the news well. Assembly Republican Party Leader Marie Waldron of Escondido issued a harsh statement upon hearing the news.

“It’s unfortunate that Brian’s takeaway from his extremely close re-election was that his political future depended on becoming a turncoat," she said. "Unfortunately, some people run for office simply because they want a job, regardless of political philosophy. It appears that Brian falls into this category."

The move means there are just 19 Republicans in the Assembly and 61 Democrats.