In Our View: Sen. Webb switcheroo
Not many political watchers are surprised by her move. Her switch is likely more about political survival than policy changes.
Webb's press release said, in part, 'I didn't leave the Democratic Party, they left me.' Ronald Reagan was the first to use that line and countless others have used it since. It has been a talking point for switchers for decades in both parties.
The Kentucky Senate doesn't have any members who are Democrats and live in rural areas. She is up for reelection next year and it would be an uphill battle running as a Democrat. However, switching parties is not without risk. She could have an opponent in a primary who would run to the right of her.
A party leader could promise a member that if they change parties, they would clear the field — meaning there will be no primary opposition. But a party leader can't do that. They could try, but today's Republican party in Kentucky is very conservative. Any conservative Republican could run against her on her voting record from years ago. Political advisors who manage campaigns are experts at dredging up past history.
Her most recent voting history has been with Republicans. More often than not, she has voted with Republicans on key issues. Up until last week, she was the most Republican-like Democratic senator in Frankfort.
Webb has been in the Senate since 2009. Prior to that, she was in the state House of Representatives. There will almost certainly be a potential conservative candidate combing over her voting record.
Webb has not been on a fundraising binge. According to online financial documents, she has about $31,000 in her campaign fund. She has not been actively raising funds. Having $31,000 on hand is not a lot of money for running a Senate campaign. She had no opposition in 2022, her last election.
Webb represents the 18th District. That includes all of Boyd, Carter, Greenup and Lewis Counties. The district has 51% of the voters who are Republican and 38% are Democrats. The rest are listed as Independent or other. The population is about 150,000.
If Democrats want to run a candidate, they need to move fast. The filing deadline to run is in January of next year. Popular Gov. Andy Beshear is the only statewide-elected Democrat. He's won his last three elections.
Webb knows her district well. She's watched the Boyd and Greenup County courthouses go to almost all Republican office holders. That could have weighed in her decision.
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