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Steve Lebsock, minutes before he was expelled from the Colorado House of Representatives on Friday afternoon, changed his party affiliation from Democrat to Republican, according to state elections officials, setting up a scenario under which his newly vacated seat could fall into GOP hands.

Lebsock’s departing shot at his party won’t change the balance of power in the House, however. With Lebsock gone, Democrats currently hold 36 seats and the Republicans have 28.

The Colorado secretary of state’s office said Stephen James Lebsock, of Thornton, became a Republican at 3:17 p.m. Friday — roughly around the same time he took to the House floor to declare, amid tears, “I know the vote count right now.”

“It’s been the honor of my life to serve the people of Colorado, and I was willing to fight this year for the people of Colorado,” he then said. “Members, please remember that we should always strive to do the right thing.”

He was then expelled by a 52-9 vote. Lebsock, who was serving his third term in the state House, remains a candidate for state treasurer.

State law says a vacancy committee should be made up of the party of the departing elected official depending on what that official’s registration was at the time they left office.

The Colorado Republican Party said Friday night that Republicans have “the right to fill the vacancy.”

“Because Rep. Lebsock was a Democrat when he committed his misdeeds, our vacancy committee could decline to fill his seat,” said Daniel Cole, a party spokesman. “If the vacancy committee doesn’t act聽within 30 days, Gov. (John) Hickenlooper gets to fill the vacancy.”

Our HD 34 Vacancy Committee has the right to fill the vacancy. Whether it chooses to do so is another question. If it declines to act within 30 days, the gov gets to fill the vacancy. Because Lebsock was a Dem when he committed his misdeeds, the VC could decline to fill his seat.

— Colorado Republican Party (@cologop)

House Minority Leader Patrick Neville, R-Castle Rock, said he had no indication that Lebsock was going to change parties until moments before the vote.

“He dropped off a piece of paper at my desk and pointed to the party affiliation moments before the vote,” Neville said. “Didn’t see that one coming.”

As for Lebsock’s new party affiliation, “the Republicans can have him,” said Colorado Democratic Party spokesman Eric Walker. “As far as the seat, we’re looking into it. Either way, we’re confident the district will be represented by a Democrat by the time the next session begins.”