A longtime Kentucky state lawmaker, is switching parties.

Senator Robin Webb of Carter County is leaving the Democratic Party and becoming a Republican.

Webb has been in the state Senate since 2009.

She was a state representative before that.

In a statement, she said she didn't feel like she was leaving the Democratic Party.

Instead, she says it left her.

Here's part of that statement.

As the Democratic Party continues its lurch to the left and its hyper focus on policies that hurt 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 and, quote, Republicans are praising Webb.

Senate President Robert Stivers, a Republican from Manchester, put out this statement, quote, 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, unquote.

Now, here's the response from Coleman Elrich.

He's the chair of the Kentucky Democratic Party.

Quote, Senator Webb has chosen to join a political party that is currently working around the clock to take health care away from over a million Kentuckians, wipe out our rural hospitals.

Take food off the table of Kentucky families and take resources away from our public schools.

If those are her priorities, then we agree she isn't a Democrat.

End quote.

Now, with this, which the Republican Party now has 32 state senators leaving the Democrats with only six in that chamber.

Those six all serve in the Louisville and Lexington areas.

Now, that number could shrink even more.

That's because Democratic State Senator David Yates of Louisville plans to run for Jefferson County Clerk.

His website says he's launching his campaign on June 9th.

Yates is currently the Senate minority whip.

He served in the Senate since 2020.

If he were to win the county clerk election next year, it could trigger a special election.

If he doesn't resign first.

If he loses the election, he could continue to serve as a state senator.