Florissant Democrat Flips to ‘Independent’

(AP) – A Missouri lawmaker who sided with Republicans on tax cuts is leaving the Democratic Party to become an independent.

State Rep. Keith English, of Florissant, said Tuesday that he was dropping his party affiliation. He noted his support for gun rights but also his opposition to so-called “right-to-work” bills that would limit union powers.

English had sometimes distanced himself from Democrats in the past. He provided the pivotal vote last May when he was the only Democrat to join Republicans in overriding Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon’s veto of an income tax cut.

His move means Republicans now hold a 117-44 House majority over Democrats with one vacancy. English will be the only independent House member.