Former Georgia Lt. Gov. Duncan Switches to Democratic Party

Former Georgia Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan has announced his decision to leave the Republican Party and join the Democratic Party. Duncan, who served as lieutenant governor from 2019 to 2023 and previously as a member of the Georgia House of Representatives from 2013 to 2017, detailed his decision in an opinion piece published in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. In his statement, Duncan indicated that his political transition had been developing over time rather than resulting from a single event.

President Donald Trump responded to Duncan's party switch on his Truth Social platform, expressing disapproval of the former lieutenant governor's decision. Trump characterized Duncan as ineffective during his time in office. The Georgia Republican Party had previously expelled Duncan following his endorsement of Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election and his appearance at the Democratic National Convention in support of her campaign.

In his published opinion piece, Duncan cited several policy considerations that influenced his decision to change parties. These included positions on healthcare, Medicaid, immigration, gun control, and support for low-income Americans. Duncan also referenced the 2020 election in his explanation, stating that his political evolution began before that electoral contest.

Duncan's party switch represents a notable political realignment for a former Republican state official from Georgia. His transition comes after serving in Republican-elected positions for nearly a decade in Georgia state government. The exchange highlights ongoing tensions between different factions within American politics and illustrates how individual political affiliations can evolve over time.