'We are being pushed out': Another Dem lawmaker ditches party for GOP, citing 'very little room' for 'traditional values or differences regarding political opinion'

A West Virginia lawmaker dealt another major blow to the Democratic Party this week by announcing his switch to the GOP.

Freshman West Virginia Delegate Elliot Pritt, who also works as a teacher, penned a letter to the House Democratic Caucus on Monday declaring that he could no longer remain a Democrat.

"I am writing to inform you of my decision to leave the Democratic Party," Pritt wrote.

"We are being pushed out," Pritt continued. "It has become more and more obvious that there is very little room in the party for traditional values or differences regarding political opinion."

Pritt noted that he did not come to a decision hastily but that "after weeks of personal consideration, soul searching, and discussion with my family," he concluded that leaving the party would be the best move to continue representing those in his district.

"I can no longer in good conscience remain a Democrat," he added. "I simply cannot continue down the road that the Democratic Party is headed if I am to accurately represent my constituents and my people as well as my own conscience."

He explained that his traditional values and beliefs "are no longer compatible with the trajectory of the Democratic Party."

Pritt concluded the letter by thanking his former fellow Democrats and vowing to continue to fight for working-class people, public education, and clean water. He added that he refuses to continue to support issues that do not align with his constituents.

In light of Pritt's announcement, West Virginia Republican Party chairwoman Elgine McArdle issued a welcome statement.

"I want to welcome Delegate Elliott Pritt to the Republican Party. Like so many West Virginians, Delegate Pritt has recognized that the Democratic Party of today is not the Democratic Party that our parents grew up with," McArdle stated.

She added that the party is led by the "radical, woke left" who support policies that "defy logic and clash with traditional values."

"The Democratic Party of today is the party of crime and lawlessness, the party of mobs, unchecked illegal immigration, runaway government spending, late-term abortion, and government overreach," McArdle continued. "The Democratic Party lacks any accountability, yet they abuse governmental powers to suppress those who dare to oppose their opinions."

The Republican Party holds a supermajority in the West Virginia House, with 89 seats. With Pritt's party switch, Democrats now only hold 11.

West Virginia Democratic Party Chair Mike Pushkin slammed Pritt for switching parties and accused him of being unreliable.

"The only thing you can be sure of with Elliott Pritt is that there's nothing he won't do in the name of political expediency. There is no line he won't cross, no ideal he won't reverse and no principal he won't violate if he thinks it will help him at the ballot box. In the end, the only thing you can count on with Elliott Pritt is that you can't count on him," Pushkin stated.

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