AUGUSTA — A state representative from Pittsfield said Friday he’s rejoining the Democratic Party after dropping his affiliation earlier this year to become unenrolled.

Rep. Stanley Short Jr. of Pittsfield made the announcement in a news release sent by the House Democratic Office, saying his officially re-enrolled with the Democrats Thursday.

“Over the last five months, I have had numerous discussions with constituents, fellow members in the House of Representatives as well as family members about my decision in April to unenroll,” Short said in the release. “Those discussions and many hours of thought on my part led me to rejoin the Democratic Party.”

Short represents House District 106, which is Clinton, Detroit and Pittsfield.

In April — three months into his second term — Short said in a press release that he made the switch to become independent because “I have come to realize that positive results are more important than partisan battles.” In an interview at the time, Short said he had not considered quitting the Democratic Party prior to his reelection in November, and he couldn’t cite a specific incident or issues that prompted his decision.

Short’s switch back to the Democrats tweaks the partisan makeup of the House, giving the party 78 members, leaving 68 Republicans and four independents.

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“I had been a member of the Democratic Party for many years and I have now come to believe that my return is in the best interest of my constituents,” Short said in Friday’s release. “It is also without a doubt where I need to be to continue my lifelong fight for the working men and women of Maine. I obviously did not and will not agree with every position that another Democrat takes, but as a member of the party I can play a role in the shaping of caucus strategy.”

House Majority Leader Jeff McCabe, D-Skowhegan, said in the release that Short is an “unwavering champion of the workingman and workingwoman both inside and outside the State House.”

“Although our work and dialogue with Rep. Short never ceased, we are absolutely delighted that he has rejoined our caucus,” McCabe said.

Two vacant seats in the House will be filled through a special election on Nov. 3. One seat opened up with the death of Rep. Bill Noon, D-Springvale, and the other with the resignation of Rep. Mike Shaw, D-Standish.


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