Advertisement

Chairman of Miss. College Republicans switches to Democrat because of 'extremist' Tea Party

Former Republican youth leader: "I simply cannot be apart of organization that have members who support these far right extremist views."

By Matt Bradwell
Chairman of the Republican National Committee, Reince Priebus. UPI/Mike Theiler
Chairman of the Republican National Committee, Reince Priebus. UPI/Mike Theiler | License Photo

JACKSON, Miss., June 30 (UPI) -- The chairman of the Mississippi Federation of College Republicans has confirmed that he has resigned and will be switching his political affiliation Democrat.

In a written statement, Evan Alvarez told local reporters he was stepping down as head of the MFCR and switching parties because the Republican National Committee has allowed "far right extremists" in the Tea Party too much influence.

Advertisement

"I am leaving my position in the organization and have begun to speak to members of the Mississippi Democratic Party and will be changing my party affiliation to Democrat in the next few days," Alvarez wrote.

"The Republican Party has allowed these groups of extremist[s] to have too much of a voice and because of that, the platform of the Republican Party has shifted too far to the right."

Alvarez cited Tea Party stances on infrastructure, saying the federal funding cuts they demand "would leave society weak and crippled."

An even larger point of contention between Alvarez and the shifting tide of the GOP is the Tea Party approach to immigration reform, both politically and philosophically.

Advertisement

"Their far right stance on immigration is not only ignorant, but it is cruel. After all our country is a nation of immigrants and should welcome immigrants from every country ... The Republican Party consistently says they are trying to appeal to minorities, but this will never happen when we allow members of party to say cruel and ignorant things about Women, African Americans, Hispanics, and other minorities in our country ... I simply cannot be apart of organization that have members who support these far right extremist views."

The College Republican National Convention attempted to write off Alvarez's resignation, claiming, "Mr. Alvarez will feel increasingly lonely in a party that is hemorrhaging young voters because of President Obama's and Democrats' extreme left wing agenda that is crippling our generation."

According to the Pew Research Center, "Millennials stand out for voting heavily Democratic and for liberal views on many political and social issues, ranging from a belief in an activist government to support for same-sex marriage and marijuana legalization."

Latest Headlines