NORTH LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — North Las Vegas Mayor John Lee announced Tuesday morning he is switching from the Democratic to the Republican Party.
During his announcement on national TV Lee called out the state democratic party as being broken and said it has been taken over by card-carrying socialists who must be defeated. Many of the newly elected state party officials are affiliated with the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA).
In a post on his Twitter account, he said the “Democratic Party is broken.”
The new message is also reflective on his website, where he is asking Nevada to make the switch to “people over establishment” and “rights over rhetoric.” As a Republican now, Lee said he wants to work for the principles our nation was founded on such as smaller government, lower taxes and free speech.
The Nevada GOP responded to Lee’s decision to switch parties on Twitter.
Lee said that the Republican party under Trump’s leadership has created a party for the working class. He said he voted for Trump twice, which gave him an A+ rating with the National Rifle Association.
Lee has been the Mayor of North Las Vegas since 2013 and won a second term in 2017. His term will end next year.
Even though the mayor’s position is non-partisan, Lee was registered a Democrat. Lee said the decision was long overdue.
According to Lee, it’s time for new leadership and a new vision and would not confirm if he is planning to seek a higher office, possibly the governor’s seat.
“My plans right now are that I have big stuff happening in North Las Vegas right now,” Lee said. “To complete that project right now — to make North Las Vegas a stronger place and become the strongest city in the state is my concern right now. I’ve been approached but, I have to finish my job here before I can make a decision.”
8 News Now did reach out to the Nevada Democratic Party for comment about Lee’s announcement but not receive a response.
