Senator switches parties, hiking Democratic edge (Maine)

[MaineDem]

AUGUSTA, Maine — Sen. Arthur Mayo of Bath, newly re-elected to a second term, said Tuesday he had switched his party registration from Republican to Democrat.

"It´s a change in affiliation. It´s not a change in philosophy," said Mayo, whose move across the political aisle boosts the Democratic Senate majority in the new Legislature to 19-16.

Characterizing himself as a long-standing "liberal Republican," Mayo said "it has been increasingly difficult in the Senate Republican caucus" for someone of his political persuasion.

http://news.mainetoday.com/apwire/D86R0O7O0-341.shtml

Ok, this is a State Senator but maybe Susan and Olympia are having similar thoughts??? We can only dream.

[Quetzal]

1. Aren't you a State Senator in the Maine Legislature?

what do you know about this individual?

[MaineDem]

5. No

You're thinking of Maine Mary who used to be a State Rep.

[Quetzal]

6. oops

thanks for the clarification

[PROGRESSIVE1]

2. kick

:kick:

[WI_DEM]

3. I'm glad, but to be consistent

I would say he should have done this prior to the election. Afterall, if it were a Democrat who switched to the GOP after being elected as a dem I would be upset.

[ewagner]

4. I agree

My suspicion is that something happened in the caucaus that relegated him useless and giving him no choice but to switch.

[Book Lover]

10. I have to agree

I'm glad he is in our camp, but were I a repub who voted for him, I suspect I'd be pretty torqued off. OTOH, I don't know the local politics - it could be that in his district, party labels don't mean much...

[fryguy]

7. cool!

so tired of seeing dems switch sides right after election - although zell can go....turn about is a bitch, huh?

[Old and In the Way]

8. Good news!

If Ms. Collins and Snowe care about their future political careers, they'd best see the writing on the wall. They remain moderate Republicans at their own peril. They'll be running against RW Republican competition in the primaries and many Democrats will not support their re-election, given the current political climate.

They (along with Chaffee) should make history and move accross the aisle now. It's both the right thing and smart thing to do.

[Endangered Specie]

9. Lets hope this trend continues and increases!

[Lone Pawn]

11. One man is not a trend

Don't get your hopes too up.

[CitySky]

12. yes, when I read your headline, I was thinking

Olympia. You had me all excited for a minute. :D

But this is still good news.