NC legislator going unaffiliated, wants to caucus with GOP

RALEIGH, NC (AP) — A state House member from the Outer Banks announced he’s switching his voter registration from Democrat to unaffiliated and hopes to caucus with the Republican majority beginning with the new legislative session starting this month.

Second-term Rep. Paul Tine of Kitty Hawk disclosed his decision Wednesday, a week before lawmakers return to Raleigh to elect new chamber leaders.

Tine says in an interview he’s been a Democrat since age 18 but believes his political philosophy fits more in line with Republicans today. He says he’s a fiscal conservative and can get more done for his mostly Outer Banks district when it comes to transportation, education and insurance by making the change.

The decision will mean Democrats will only hold 45 of the chamber’s 120 seats this session.

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