After their defeat in the March primariesRepresentative Nasif Majeed, from Mecklenburg County, announced that he is leaving the Democratic Party and will continue in the North Carolina House of Representatives as an independent.
The decision follows a similar path to that previously taken by the representative Carla Cunningham, who also chose to change his political affiliation.
Majeed will continue to represent his district until the end of his legislative term, now without officially aligning himself with any political party.
“After much reflection and conversations with residents of District 99, I have made the decision to disaffiliate myself from the Democratic Party and serve as an independent,” Majeed said in the statement.
“This decision is based on my responsibility to represent the people, not partisan agendas, and to stand firm on integrity, justice, and truth,” he said.
Reactions
Majeed, who represents District 99 and has held the position for four terms, has sided with the Republican majority in seven vetoed bills,
Among these, the legislator cast a decisive vote to help Republicans override a veto by Governor Josh Stein last year on a bill that stated there were only two sexes and genders in the state: male and female.
“During their years in public office, Representatives Majeed and Cunningham have voted on bills in accordance with their values, and I expect them to continue to do so,” said Representative Robert Reives, the Democratic minority leader, in a statement.
“I value their friendship and hope to continue working with them,” he said.
Meanwhile, on his Twitter account, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Republican Destin Hall, highlighted the decision of Representatives Cunningham and Majeed.
“I applaud my colleagues @CunninghamNCRep and Representative Majeed for putting their constituents first. Like so many other North Carolinians, they have chosen to move forward and leave behind a party that no longer represents them.”
"North Carolina is a better place with leaders who refuse to be intimidated into silence."
Political repercussions
The change in affiliation of the two legislators could have a key impact on the balance of power within the state House of Representatives, where there are currently 71 Republicans versus 49 Democrats.
With the start of the legislative session This week, and considering that 72 votes are needed to override a veto by Governor Josh Stein, the position of both representatives could prove decisive in close votes.
This is especially true on issues where he has already shown a willingness to align himself with the Republicans.
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Could a third legislator join as an independent?
In addition to Cunningham and Majeed, the March primary elections left Representative Shelly Willingham without his seat for the 2027 legislative session.
Willingham, with 6 and a half terms as a legislator, represents District 23 of Bertie, Edgecombe and Martin counties.
Willingham, Cunningham, and Majeed had voted with the Republicans to override vetoes by both current Governor Josh Stein and former Governor Roy Cooper in projects related to immigration, energy, business regulations and other economic issues.
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