New Jersey Councilman David Kupfershmid has announced his defection to the Republican Party after decades as a lifelong Democrat, citing ideological divergence within the Democratic Party.

Kupfershmid, who represents Alpine, a small Bergen County town, stated the Democratic Party has shifted too far left and no longer reflects his values. He endorsed GOP gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli, emphasizing the need for “alternate voices” on the council. “The Democrat Party does not represent us anymore,” Kupfershmid said. His switch makes him the first Republican on the Alpine council in over 20 years.

Despite recent Republican gains in the area—Ciattarelli won Alpine by 18 percentage points in 2021 and Donald Trump secured 13 points in 2020—the borough remains dominated by Democrats. With a population of around 1,750, Alpine is Bergen County’s third-smallest town.

Kupfershmid criticized Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani and praised Ciattarelli’s “common sense” approach to issues like over-development and crime. Meanwhile, Garfield Mayor John DeStefano Jr. also switched parties to support Ciattarelli.

In South Carolina, First Circuit Solicitor David Pascoe announced his own party switch, leaving only three Democrats among state solicitors. The move underscores broader shifts within the Democratic Party across multiple states.