Lawmakers on the East Hanover town council in New Jersey announced they would be leaving the Democratic Party en masse, with four council members and the town's mayor planning to switch their affiliation to the GOP.
The lawmakers were elected — and, in some cases, reelected — as registered Democrats. The decision comes after "months of good conversations" with state Republicans, according to Morris County Republican Committee Chairwoman Laura Ali.
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"The entire Republican Party in Morris County is welcoming Mayor Pannullo and East Hanover's four council members to our family with open arms and great excitement," Ali said in a statement. "East Hanover is an exceptionally run town with great leadership. It is clear we share the same values as Mayor Pannullo and his council, and we are so excited to have them be part of our Republican family."
New Jersey has long been a blue stronghold, and a Democratic majority has led East Hanover since 2007. However, Morris County, where East Hanover is located, had traditionally leaned Republican, with city voters overwhelmingly supporting Republican Jack Ciattarelli when he ran against Gov. Phil Murphy in 2021.
An entire town council switching party affiliation is unusual, but some state Republicans pointed to the grand exit as an indication of growing GOP strength in the Garden State.
"Municipal leaders have a responsibility to represent their constituents best, and it is our belief this change of party is in the best interest of the community," Mayor Joseph Pannullo said in a statement. "As the nastiness, rhetoric, and social media vitriol of national politics continues to infiltrate local governance, we collectively determined this was the best course of action to keep the focus on local issues impacting our community."
Local Democrats expressed disappointment with the decision, arguing Democratic voter registration in Morris County has increased in recent years, giving the party momentum ahead of the 2024 cycle.
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"This trend is just going to continue," said Amalia Duarte, the Morris County Democratic chairwoman. "They are stagnant. Democrats in Morris County have momentum, excitement, and the future on our side."
The Democrats-turned-Republicans are set to make the move in the coming weeks, with Morris County Republicans planning to host a celebratory event next month.