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Second Kentucky House Democrat Switches to Republican Party

LRC Public Information, cropped

Kentucky Democrats’ hold on the state House slipped further on Monday, when with another state representative switching to the ascendant Republican Party.

State Rep. Jim Gooch of Providence in Western Kentucky has switched from Democrat to Republican, House Republican Leader Jeff Hoover announced.

Democrats have for decades controlled the state House, the last legislative body in the South controlled by their party. But Gooch’s defection means Democrats now control 50 of 100 seats. Republicans hold 48 seats.

In a statement, Hoover said Gooch will seek reelection as a Republican in next year’s election.

“His extensive background in natural resources issues and unwavering support for our coal industry will be a tremendous benefit to our caucus, and I know he will continue to serve the people of the 12th House District, as well as the commonwealth as a whole, with integrity,” Hoover said. “He is a welcome addition to the House Republican ranks, which currently stands at 48 members.”

Gooch said his choice to switch parties was driven largely by his opposition to national Democrats, namely President Obama. In a statement, Gooch listed energy and gun rights issues that led to his defection to the Republicans.

“As I seek re-election in 2016, a Presidential Election year, I want to run as a member of a party that I can support that party’s nominee. I cannot support any of the Democrats running for President,” Gooch said in a statement.

“At a recent political gathering Speaker Stumbo acknowledged that the Democrat party was the ‘Party of Barack Obama.’ I deliberated that thought and I came to the conclusion that I could be a member of the party of Obama, but that I cannot be a member of the party that SUPPORTS BARRACK OBAMAS (sic) POLICIES! The majority of Democrats do support his radical agenda.”

The 2016 legislative session begins next week. Three seats will be vacant and will be filled in special elections. Two of those vacant seats were held by Republicans Mike Harmon and Ryan Quarles, who will this week assume the offices of state auditor and agriculture commissioner, respectively.

State Rep. John Tilley, a Democrat, was recently tapped to become the secretary of the Justice and Public Protection Cabinet in Republican Gov. Matt Bevin’s administration. And state Rep. Tanya Pullin, a Democrat from South Shore, was appointed this month to an administrative law judgeship.

Gooch has served in the state House since 1995, according to the Legislative Research Commission. He’s been known, in part, for his staunch support of the coal industry. Amid the fallout of the John Arnold sexual harassment scandal, Gooch was also accused of past inappropriate behavior.

Gooch is the second House Democrat, after Louisville Rep. Denny Butler, to switch to the Republican Party this month.

Credit http://www.lrc.ky.gov
Gooch

A spokesman for House Speaker Greg Stumbo did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Earlier this month, following Tilley’s departure, Stumbo issued strong words for Republicans and Democrats considering a party change.

“There will be takers, we’ve seen that,” he said. “That’s true all throughout our society. There are those who don’t have the character. We see them every day, I see them in the court of justice. We call them criminals.”

Joseph Lord is a Louisville native who was raised in Jeffersontown. He attended Western Kentucky University before covering public safety and later city government for The Anniston (Ala.) Star. He's also covered education for The Tribune and Evening News in southern Indiana and music and pop culture for Velocity, The Courier-Journal's weekly entertainment magazine.
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