In Defecting From GOP, Kansas Lawmaker Barbara Bollier Cites Trump, LGBT Rights
Kansas state Senator Barbara Bollier announced Wednesday she was switching parties to the Democrats.
"Morally, the [Republican] party is not going where my compass resides," the Shawnee Mission Post quoted Bollier as saying. "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 called the state party's opposition to transgender rights "the last straw."
In February, the state GOP approved a resolution stating that "We believe God created two genders, male and female."
"That was my final, last straw," Bollier said. "I support the people of Kansas. I do not condemn whoever they are."
Bollier also said that President Donald Trump played a role in her decision.
"I can't call it leadership. I don't even know what to call him. He is our president, but he is not representing my value system remotely," she said in her announcement.
Republicans control the Kansas Senate with a 30-10 majority.