A veteran Democratic lawmaker from Kentucky has officially left the party and joined the Republican ranks. In recent years, several elected officials at various levels of government have made similar moves, likely driven by growing dissatisfaction with how certain policies have affected everyday Americans.

The most recent figure to make this transition is Kentucky state Senator Robin Webb, who represents the 18th district. Explaining her departure from the Democratic Party, Webb stated the party had “left me.”

“First and foremost, I’m a mother, a rancher and a lawyer with deep personal and professional roots in Kentucky’s coal country,” Webb said as she outlined her rationale. “As the Democratic Party continues its lurch to the left and its hyperfocus on policies that hurt workforce and economic development in my region, I no longer feel it represents my values.”

“It has become untenable and counterproductive to the best interests of my constituents for me to remain a Democrat,” she added.

Webb began her political career at the state level in 1998, when she defeated Republican candidate Ramona Gee to win a seat in the Kentucky State House, according to Fox News.

Her departure marks a significant setback for Kentucky Democrats, who have historically maintained influence in rural areas due to support from union members and the coal sector.

“Like countless other Kentuckians, [Webb] has recognized that the policies and objectives of today’s Democratic Party are simply not what they once were, and do not align with the vast majority of Kentuckians,” said Republican Party of Kentucky Chairman Robert Benvenuti in a statement addressing her party switch.

“I always respected that [Webb] approached issues in a very thoughtful and commonsense manner, and that she never failed to keenly focus on what was best for her constituents,” Benvenuti continued. “It is my pleasure to welcome Sen. Robin Webb to the Republican Party.”

In contrast, the Kentucky Democratic Party expressed clear disapproval of Webb’s decision, asserting she “isn’t a Democrat.”

“Senator Webb has chosen to join a political party that is currently working around the clock to take health care away from over a million Kentuckians, wipe out our rural hospitals, take food off the table of Kentucky families and take resources away from our public schools,” Kentucky Democratic Party Chair Colmon Elridge said in an interview with Fox News Digital. “If those are her priorities, then we agree: she isn’t a Democrat.”

“While it’s cliché, it’s true: I didn’t leave the party — the party left me,” Webb remarked.