© 2025 WUKY
background_fid.jpg
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Kentucky state senator swaps parties, widening GOP supermajority

FRANKFORT, Feb. 16 -- Sen. Robin Webb, D-Grayson, expresses her concerns with Senate Bill 150 on the Senate Floor.
LRC Public Information
FRANKFORT, Feb. 16 -- Sen. Robin Webb, D-Grayson, expresses her concerns with Senate Bill 150 on the Senate Floor.

State Sen. Robin Webb is switching her party affiliation from Democrat to Republican — giving the GOP an even stronger presence in the chamber.

Formerly in the Kentucky House, Webb has served since 2009 in the Senate. With a background in law, ranching, and coal, Webb could be seen parting company with her fellow Democrats on issues relating to abortion, the economy, and energy.

"I guess I'm one of those coal miners that chose to go another path before the industry went to what it is," she said in 2023 arguing for a bill making it more difficult to shutter coal-fired power plants.

Friday, she announced she's joining the Republican majority — further whittling away at Democrats' single digit minority in the Senate. The decision will leave only one Senate Democrat left from Eastern Kentucky.

Invoking an old saw among politicians who swap parties, Webb said, "I didn't leave the party — the party left me," going on to argue that Democrats have lost touch with their rural constituents.

Republicans welcomed Webb to their ranks, saying her move represents a sign that "conservative policy making is winning hearts and minds across the state."

Kentucky Democrats shot back saying the GOP is working to take away health care for Kentuckians along with food assistance and resources for public schools. Party officials said if those are Webb's priorities, "...then we agree: she isn't a Democrat."