Fed-up Kansas GOP state senator abandons the Republican Party and becomes a Democrat

A Republican state senator in Kansas has defected from the party to become a Democrat, reports the Shawnee Mission Post.

Sen. Barbara Bollier represents a district in the Kansas-side suburbs of Kansas City, the same area Democrat Sharice Davids, who is a lesbian and native American, trounced GOP incumbent Kevin Yoder by 10 points in the midterm.

Bollier cited the inclusion of anti-transgender language in the party platform as her breaking point.

“Morally, the party is not going where my compass resides,” Bollier said. “I’m looking forward to being in a party that represents the ideals that I do, including Medicaid expansion and funding our K-12 schools.”

Bollier, who has served in the statehouse since 2010, had endorsed Democrat Laura Kelly in her successful run against Trump-lover Kris Kobach in the state's governor's race. Kelly won Bollier's district by 39 points, the Shawnee Mission Post reported.

Kansas' state government is still heavily controlled by Republicans. With the defection, Democrats will hold 10 of the 40 seats in the Senate.