(AP) – An Arkansas state representative is switching to the
Republican Party, the second lawmaker to leave the Democratic Party since the
election and a move that will give the GOP enough votes to pass most spending
measures.
Rep. David Hillman of Almyra announced the party change Tuesday and says he
believes it will allow him to better represent his eastern-Arkansas district.
The 72-year-old Hillman has served in the state House since 2013 and won
re-election in the Nov. 8 election without Republican opposition.
Hillman is the second Democratic representative to switch parties after the
GOP expanded its majorities in the Legislature. Republicans will hold 75 of the
100 seats in the House and 26 of the 35 seats in the Senate. Most appropriations
bills require at least three-fourths support to pass.
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