Rep. Debbie Stafford ditched the Republican Party today to become the 40th member of the House Democratic Caucus.
Surrounded by cheering Democrats, the Aurora lawmaker said her beliefs were constantly putting her “at odds” with the Republican Party.
“I am not leaving the Republican Party as much as the Republican Party left me,” she said. “I will not be changing my votes or my values. I am changing my party.”
Stafford, who has fought for animal rights and foster care in her seven years in the House, called the decision “agonizing” but said she had to do it for her “self-respect.”
She said she expects mixed reaction from her constituents.
“There will be those that will be very disappointed with me, and they won’t understand,” she said.
Rep. Frank McNulty, R-Highlands Ranch, said Stafford will have to answer to the people who “worked so hard to get her elected.”
“The real question is, is she going to be at odds with her constituents,” he said.
Jennifer Brown: 303-954-1593 or jenbrown@denverpost.com
