Senate party switchers since 1900
Senators who have switched parties since 1900 and the political parties they represented while in Congress:
Joe Lieberman of Connecticut. Lieberman was re-elected in 2006 as an independent after losing his state’s Democratic primary to businessman Ned Lamont amid intense anti-war sentiment. Lieberman was a strong supporter of the Iraq war.
Democrat, 1989-2006. Independent, 2006-present.
James Jeffords of Vermont. Jeffords infuriated GOP leaders in 2001 when he became an independent, saying the party had become too conservative for him. The move gave Democrats control of the Senate until the 2002 election.
Republican, 1989-2001. Independent, 2001-2007.
Robert Smith of New Hampshire.
Republican 1990-July 13, 1999. Independent, July 13, 1999 to November 1, 1999. Republican, November 1999-2003.
Ben Nighthorse Campbell of Colorado.
Democrat, 1993-1995. Republican, 1995-2005.
Richard Shelby of Alabama.
Democrat, 1987-1994. Republican, 1994-present.
Harry F. Byrd, Jr., of Virginia.
Democrat, 1965-1971. Independent, 1971-1983.
J. Strom Thurmond of South Carolina.
Independent Democrat, 1954-1956. Democrat, 1956-1964. Republican, 1964-2003.
Wayne Morse of Oregon.
Republican, 1945-1953. Independent, 1953-1955. Democrat, 1955-1969.
Henrik Shipstead of Minnesota.
Farmer-Labor, 1923-1941. Republican, 1941-1947.
George W. Norris of Nebraska.
Republican, 1913-1937. Independent, 1937-1943.
Robert M. La Follette, Jr., of Wisconsin.
Republican, 1925-1935. Progressive, 1935-1947.
Robert M. La Follette, Sr., of Wisconsin.
Republican, 1906-1925. Ran as Progressive in 1924 presidential election.
Miles Poindexter of Washington.
Republican, 1911-1913. Progressive, 1913-1915. Republican, 1915-1923.
Fred T. Dubois of Idaho.
Republican, 1891-1897. Silver Republican, 1897-1901. Democrat, 1901-1907.
Source:
U.S. Senate Web site:
www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/briefing/senators_changed_parties.htm
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