Free Republic

AP) A Democratic state legislator announced Tuesday she has quit the party, leaving the Maine House evenly split between Democrats and Republicans. Rep. Barbara Merrill's defection will give the two major parties 73 seats each when the 2006 session opens on Wednesday. Merrill becomes one of four unenrolled or independent members. One Green Party member also serves in the 151-seat chamber. The Democrats have held a majority in the Maine House for three decades, except for a brief period in 1996 when the Republicans gained the edge. The Democrats maintain control of the state Senate, with 19 of the 35...

APPLETON (Jan 3): Rep. Barbara Merrill Monday informed her constituents in Maine House District 44, and the leaders of the Maine House of Representatives, that she has unenrolled from the Democratic Party. As a result, the Democrats have 73 members, the Republicans 73, the independents four and the Greens one in the Maine House of Representatives. In her letter to her constituents, Merrill wrote, "I do not take this step lightly or without long consideration. I have talked directly with many of you about the concerns which have led me to this action, and I know that many support my...