The Big Deal: Tricia Cotham’s Social Media Outburst at the Human Rights Campaign in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina

A Democratic legislator in North Carolina decided to switch parties on Wednesday and give the GOP a majority in the state legislature, paving the way for major changes.

What’s the big deal? Early on Wednesday, Cotham announced that she would switch party affiliation from Democrat to Republican, citing “bullying” from Democrats as one of her main motivators.

A single mom of two incredible sons, a small-business owner, a woman with faith, and a national championship basketball coach, I am a public servant and a woman with strong faith. Today I add Republican to that list,” she said, noting that she had “been welcomed with open arms” by her new colleagues.

The direction of the state will be determined by the votes of Rep. Cotham regarding women’s reproductive freedom, election laws, LGBTQ rights and strong public schools. It is hard to believe that she would leave the principles she has held, and still vote the same way she has always done regardless of her party affiliation, according to Cooper.

Cotham was in the state House for nearly a decade before stepping away. In 2022, she ran for a seat in the legislature, winning a crowded Democratic primary and then the general election.

At the news conference, Cotham said that when he was criticized for using the American flag and praying hands on all his social media platforms, it was the turning point in his life.

She said she was deeply offended that people would say that is wrong and not be able to show off a flag because others would hijack it for something else.

He said the values of the Republican Party align with voters, and people should be proud to have her representation in Raleigh.

In a statement on Wednesday, Ronna McDaniel said, ” Even in a Biden district in a purple state, Democrats are reading the sign and are failing Americans due to liberal policies.”

Cameron Pruette, the chair of the LGBTQ+ Democrats of Mecklenburg County, said at the news conference, “I knew there was a problem, when we invited Tricia Cotham to the Human Rights Campaign dinner a few weeks ago, she didn’t show up. Is this a premeditated move? She has known for a long time. The voters deserve to know.”

“While we don’t know how she will vote on any given bill, dozens of bills that were essentially dead – from elections law changes to reproductive freedom to LGBTQ rights to education policy – may have just sprung back to life,” he said. “And the state budget – which controls education funding – can now be passed entirely on the basis of Republican votes.”

“There are no recall provisions in North Carolina. She will be able to serve her full two-year term, which just began in January. For that period, Republicans will now be in full control,” Jackson said.

Cotham’s campaign website, which still listed her as a Democrat as of Wednesday afternoon, touted priorities such as protecting voting rights, affordable housing, health care and equitable public schools, among other issues. Under a section entitled “Equality for All,” Cotham calls herself a “champion of LGBTQ+ rights” and states, “Right now, LGBTQ+ youth are under attack by Republican state legislatures across the country. I will fight discrimination and work to pass more protections in the state.

Last week, North Carolina Republicans overrode Cooper’s veto to enact legislation softening permit requirements for pistol purchases. Republicans were able to push the override because of the absence of three Democrats in the state House.

The ‘Democracy of the Congress’: Where Do I Stand? How Do You Stand? What Do You Want to Do?

I’ve had many attacks from Democrats since I’ve been up here, from being called names to going after my family.

The party wants to villainize anyone who has free thought, free judgment, has solutions and wants to get to work to better our state. Not just sit in a meeting and have a workshop after a workshop, but really work with individuals to get things done. Because that is what real public servants do. The Democrats will try to bully you if you don’t do what they want. They will try to cast you aside.