AUGUSTA, Maine - A Maine lawmaker from Pittsfield says he has left the Democratic Party.
Rep. Stanley Short said he met with Democratic House Speaker Mark Eves and Democratic House Leader Jeff McCabe on Monday to discuss his decision to be an unenrolled representative.
Short, who's serving his second term in the House, said he has considered leaving the party for some time and that his decision was not prompted by a single event.
He said putting partisanship aside will allow him to work more easily with lawmakers in both parties. He also said he believes the Democratic Party has "lost its focus'' in that the middle class is no longer a priority.
The House will now have 78 Democrats, 68 Republicans, two independents and three unenrolled members.