State’s Last Rural Democrat Lawmaker Switches To GOP

Sean Pavone from Getty Images

Kentucky state Sen. Robin Webb switched her party affiliation from Democrat to Republican in late May, ending Democrat rule over the state’s last rural blue stronghold.

Webb was first elected to Kentucky’s House of Representatives in 1998, serving Senate District 18, according to Kentucky Today. “While it’s cliché, it’s true: I didn’t leave the party, the party left me,” Webb said of her decision to switch affiliation. “The Kentucky Democratic Party has increasingly alienated lifelong rural Democrats like myself, by failing to support the issues that matter most to rural Kentuckians.”

“First and foremost, I’m a mother, a rancher, and a lawyer with deep personal and professional roots in Kentucky’s coal country. As the Democratic party continues its lurch to the left and its hyperfocus on policies that hurt the workforce and economic development in my region, I no longer feel it represents my values. It has become untenable and counterproductive to the best interests of my constituents for me to remain a Democrat,” she continued.

Core Values Aren’t Changing

“Those who know me best understand that my positions and the policies I champion haven’t changed. The only difference today is the letter next to my name,” she added. (MORE NEWS: Seattle Mayor Appears To Blame Christians For Being Violently Attacked)

“I will continue to be a fearless advocate for rural Kentucky and for the residents of eastern Kentucky who have been so good to me and my family. I want to thank President Stivers, my colleagues in the General Assembly, and the Republican Party of Kentucky for the warm welcome. I look forward to continuing to focus on sound policy with rural Kentucky’s best interests in mind.”

Republican Response

Chairman of the Republican Party of Kentucky Robert Benvenuti welcomed Webb’s announcement. “I had the privilege of getting to know Sen. Webb when I served as a state representative. I always respected that she approached issues in a very thoughtful and common sense manner, and that she never failed to keenly focus on what was best for her constituents. It is my pleasure to welcome Sen. Robin Webb to the Republican Party,” he said in a statement.

🚨BREAKING: Kentucky state Democratic Sen. Robin Webb is leaving the Democratic Party and joining Republican Party.

“I no longer feel it [Democrat Party] represents my values… It has become untenable and counterproductive to the best interests of my constituents for me to… pic.twitter.com/PYHBYGQjEu

— True Patriot 🇺🇸 (@Betrue_Patriot) June 1, 2025

Senate President Robert Stivers echoed Benvenuti’s enthusiasm, noting what a “powerful sign” Webb’s decision is. “Robin’s policy record speaks for itself. Whether it’s her advocacy for Kentucky coal and our energy independence, her support for responsible budgeting, or her commitment to rural infrastructure, workforce development, and judicial matters, she has long worked alongside Republican colleagues to advance the interests of eastern Kentucky,” Stivers told Kentucky Today. (MORE NEWS: Pastors Must ‘Make It Clear To Our People’ That Anti-Parent Transgender Laws Come From ‘One Political Party’)

“Her decision to officially join the Senate Majority Caucus is more than symbolic—it reinforces the strength of our shared policy priorities and our ongoing focus on delivering tangible results for eastern Kentucky and the whole state … We value Robin’s voice and experience and are excited to have her as part of the Senate supermajority.”

Screenshot/x/Adams4SecState

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