California Republicans suffered yet another loss Thursday when one of their Assembly members defected to the Democrats.
Democrats celebrated with a victorious news conference Thursday morning, grinning and cheering as Assemblyman Brian Maienschein of San Diego announced his decision.
“As the Republican Party has drifted further right, I and my votes have shifted to the left,” he said. “I can either keep fighting to change the Republican party, or I can fight for my constituents.”
His party switch gives Democrats 61 of 80 seats in the Legislature’s lower chamber.