by McKenna Horsley, Kentucky Lantern
May 30, 2025

A long time Eastern Kentucky Democrat has announced she is joining the Republican Party. 

Sen. Robin Webb, a Carter County lawmaker who has served in the state legislature since 1999, was one of two Democrats left in the statehouse representing parts of Eastern Kentucky. The region was once a Democratic stronghold, turning into a Republican area over the last couple of decades. 

She and other Republicans said it was a sign that the Democratic Party isn’t what it once was. 

In a press release from the Republican Party of Kentucky, Webb said that she didn’t leave the Democratic Party, but “the party left me.” She added that her core values have not changed, just “the letter next to my name” and she will continue to focus on issues in rural Kentucky. 

“The Kentucky Democratic Party has increasingly alienated lifelong rural Democrats like myself by failing to support the issues that matter most to rural Kentuckians,” Webb said. “First and foremost, I’m a mother, a rancher and a lawyer with deep personal and  professional roots in Kentucky’s coal country. 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.”

Webb thanked Republican Senate President Robert Stivers, other colleagues in the General Assembly and RPK for “the warm welcome.” She said she looks “forward to continuing to focus on sound policy with rural Kentucky’s best interests in mind.”

Webb was elected to the state Senate in 2008 after serving in the House for a decade, making her one of the current longest serving members of the General Assembly. Her district includes the northeastern Kentucky counties of Boyd, Carter, Greenup and Lewis. 

With Webb’s switch, Democrats’ superminority in the Senate dwindles to six members. Republicans now have 32 seats in the chamber. She was often seen as the caucus’ more conservative member, sometimes voting with Republicans on culture war issues, like this year’s bill to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in public Kentucky universities. 

Webb was also recently appointed by Stivers as the Senate co-chair of the Disaster Prevention and Resiliency Task Force, which will meet during the interim session. She sponsored a resolution to establish the panel. 

Webb also often worked across the aisle to get support for her legislation, particularly on agriculture and rural policies. Earlier this year, one of her bills gained passage in both the Republican-controlled Senate and House. Signed into law by Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear, the bill established new allied animal health professional licenses for equine dentistry and animal chiropractic practice.

Stivers, of Manchester, welcomed Webb to the majority caucus in a statement and said Republicans have “reached a historic milestone of 32 members” in the chamber. 

“Robin’s policy record speaks for itself,” Stivers said. “Whether it’s her advocacy for Kentucky coal and our energy independence, her support for responsible budgeting, or her commitment to rural infrastructure, workforce development and judicial matters, she has long worked alongside Republican colleagues to advance the interests of Eastern Kentucky.

“Her decision to officially join the Senate Majority Caucus is more than symbolic — it reinforces the strength of our shared policy priorities and our ongoing focus on delivering tangible results for Eastern Kentucky and the whole state.” 

Rep. Patrick Flannery, an Olive Hill Republican who represents Webb’s home county and other parts of the Senate district in the House, said in the RPK press release that the party switch makes sense for Webb and her constituents. 

“Robin and I have always had an excellent working relationship,” Flannery said. “She has served as a mentor to me and many others. We represent the same constituency, and she’s making the same decision that many of our people have already made by changing her registration.” 

Other Kentucky Republican leaders praised Webb for joining the party. RPK Chairman Robert J. Benvenuti III said in a statement that he met Webb when he was a state representative. 

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

U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell, who was first elected to his seat in 1984 at a time when Republicans held few elected positions in Kentucky, praised Webb’s decision on X.

“Congratulations to my longtime friend & former Democrat, Kentucky State Sen. Robin Webb, on making the right choice, joining the GOP. Robin is an admirable advocate for East KY families & I was proud to personally welcome her to the Party this morning,” McConnell said. He announced earlier this year he is not seeking reelection to the U.S. Senate.

Kentucky’s Republican National Committeeman John McCarthy and RNC Co-chair KC Crosbie, of Kentucky, also welcomed Webb to the party’s ranks. 

Meanwhile, the Kentucky Democratic Party said in a press release that Webb was “betraying her constituents in the process” of changing her party affiliation.

“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. If those are her priorities, then we agree: she isn’t a Democrat,” said KDP Chairman Colmon Elridge.

Senate Democratic Floor Leader Gerald Neal, of Louisville said in an afternoon statement that Webb’s decision “will not change the course and diligence with which the Democratic Caucus has and will continue to operate.” He added that his caucus looks “forward to continuing to work with Senator Webb and all of our Republican colleagues to make Kentucky a better place to live, work and raise a family.”

“The Democratic Caucus remains committed to working to bring Kentucky a brighter future by fully funding public education, protecting workers’ rights, and fighting for the well-being of Kentucky’s families,” Neal said. “We will continue to support investments in job training and workforce development; expand access to affordable healthcare; provide solutions to food insecurity; establish affordable housing initiatives; prepare for and effectively manage disaster response and ensure responsible budgeting for the Commonwealth.”

In the statehouse, the lone Democrat in the mountains left is Rep. Ashley Tackett Laferty, of Martin.

Webb can seek election again in 2026. She had no opponents in the 2022 election. 

This story has been updated with additional comments Friday afternoon. 

Kentucky Lantern is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Kentucky Lantern maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Jamie Lucke for questions: info@kentuckylantern.com.

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Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.

Political Bias Rating: Center-Right

This article presents a mostly factual account of Sen. Robin Webb’s party switch from Democrat to Republican, emphasizing her stated reasons for the move and including supportive quotes from Republican officials. The framing highlights a narrative of the Democratic Party moving left and alienating rural voters, which aligns with a conservative viewpoint. While the piece does not overtly editorialize, the selection of quotes and focus on conservative criticisms of the Democratic Party indicate a subtle Center-Right bias. The tone remains professional and informative, but it leans toward the Republican perspective on party realignment in rural Kentucky.