Ritter Tells Associates He'll Join Republicans

[last_texas_dem]

>>>State Rep. Allan Ritter, D-Nederland, is telling associates he will switch to the Republican Party next week. Ritter was not immediately available for comment.

That would give the GOP a 100-member supermajority in the Legislature's lower chamber — a number that allows them to pass constitutional amendments and other matters without seeking support from the Democrats.

A Ritter switch would also give Speaker Joe Straus another vote in the House Republican Caucus, which could turn out to be the forum where the next speaker is chosen. Straus foes within the GOP say they want a leader who can get the post without depending, as Straus did two years ago, on support from the minority party. Straus says he has the majority of the Republicans on his side; a vote inside the caucus would prove it.

Ritter, who would have been a candidate two years ago had the Democrats had a majority, is now with Straus.>>>

http://www.texastribune.org/texas-house-of-representatives/2011-house-speakers-race/ritter-tells-associates-hell-join-republicans/

Good riddance, you opportunistic scum.

[sonias]

1. Yep he beat Pena in cutting and running faster

Both are just about making sure they get reelected. Such bullshit about representing the values of his constituency. They elected you as a Democrat you ass-hole!! :mad:

[last_texas_dem]

2. Yeah. The party-switch is mostly a symbolic thing w/ Ritter, anyway,

but still disappointing. He's long been a very conservative Democrat, and one of those cases where I figured the seat would turn Repug once he retired.

He survived a primary challenge a few years ago by a more liberal former state senator from down here, David Bernsen; I think it was mostly due to Republicans crossing over to support Ritter- I guess he's long known on which side his bread is buttered.

This party-switching a month after getting reelected really irks me, and I agree with you. How can he argue that his district won't elect Democrats anymore, when he just got reelected as one in one of the worst years to be a Democrat in modern memory?

Overall, it's just a sign of the times in southeast Texas, though. I hate to see what's happening around me. Maybe Pena will end up sticking with the Dems; it doesn't seem like his district is as Republican as Ritter's is- and these party-switching moves seem to be all about protecting their own hides.

[sonias]

3. Pena claims to be a conservative Democrat too

:rofl: Yeah right. He's all about what's in it for me. If he switches parties, I hope he gets primaried in the republican primary and loses - you know the Victor Carillo treatment of the right wing base.

And if he does switch parties and doesn't get primaried - then I hope a good Democrat will take his ass out of the Texas House.

A pox on both their houses (Ritter and Pena's) !

:kick:

[sonias]

4. Boyd Richite to party switchers

Dear fellow Democrat,

This past weekend, I was extremely disappointed to learn that a Democratic Texas House Member, Allan Ritter of Nederland, has told colleagues that he plans to switch parties to become a Republican. His announcement comes just weeks after he was elected to serve another term as a Democrat, and his immediate party switch shows contempt for the voters and is certainly not a principled decision.

I’ve issued a statement to the press, expressing my view that if Rep. Ritter does intend to switch parties, he should show the voters enough respect to immediately resign and seek election as a Republican. I will make the same call to any other Democratic lawmaker who considers switching parties now, because switching parties immediately after being elected is a disingenuous slap in the face of the voters who put that legislator in office.

As I said in my statement, Texans will soon see the impact of failed Republican policy on our state and local economy, our schools and our communities. Those who switch parties to join Republicans now will be held accountable for every action that harms our public schools and universities, our children’s health, and our economic future, not to mention the attacks we expect on our right to vote freely in fair and legal districts. In the case of Rep. Ritter, we pointed out how Republican policy is harmful to his constituents, and we will do the same with anyone else who abandons his own voters by switching parties.

In the Democratic Party, there is room for principled officeholders without regard to labels. We are united by our willingness to stand up to special interests and do what is right for our community. Those who switch parties now are not acting on principle, and we will hold them accountable. Thank you for your commitment to the common sense principles that define our party. Together, we can and will hold the Republicans, both old and new, accountable and restore responsible government in Texas.

Your fellow Democrat,



Chairman
Texas Democratic Party

Boyd Richie