Former Democratic Rep. Paul Tine admitted to GOP caucus

Rep. Paul Tine – unaffiliated as of this week – won’t become a Republican, but he’ll be allowed to join the GOP’s House Caucus, leaders announced Friday.

The move allows the former Democrat to participate in Republicans’ private caucus meetings where they discuss strategy and potential legislation. House leaders say they’re happy to bring in Tine, who represents four counties in the state’s northeastern corner.

“The inclusion of Representative Tine reflects the continuing positive momentum of our caucus as we head into the upcoming legislative session,” likely House Speaker Tim Moore said in a news release.

Rep. Mike Hager, the House majority leader, also offered praise for Tine in Friday’s announcement. “The House Republicans are excited to welcome Rep. Tine,” Hager said in the news release. “I think he will make a great addition.”

Tine is the legislature’s only unaffiliated member, and his departure is a major blow to the Democratic Party. In announcing the move, Tine said it makes sense because he’s a “fiscal conservative” whose “ideas have become increasingly less welcome in the Democratic Party over the past several years.”

House Democrats called the switch disappointing, and reaction from Tine’s constituents was mixed. On his Facebook page, one commenter called him “a cheat and a hippocrit (sic) who misled the people who voted for you,” while another told him they “would be thrilled if you could bring a moderate voice to the Republican leadership.”

This story was originally published January 9, 2015 at 1:26 PM with the headline "Former Democratic Rep. Paul Tine admitted to GOP caucus."