In today’s complex political climate, we must ask: what truly defines someone as a Republican or a Democrat? Is it simply party registration, or is it a matter of values, convictions, and consistent support for a party’s principles?
This is strictly my own observations and my own opinions. I raise this question because, in our own Josephine County, I’ve observed individuals who publicly identify as Republicans, some even seeking leadership roles, yet consistently promote Democratic policies, candidates, and talking points. While some might call them RINOs, I believe “closet Democrats” may be more accurate. Many of these same individuals also champion “nonpartisan” elections, raising questions about their real motives.
These are not independents or centrists acting in good faith; they are people who operate under the Republican label, likely because they recognize that declaring themselves Democrats would be politically untenable in a county that remains firmly conservative. Rather than engage in an open and honest political dialogue, they choose to obscure their true beliefs while working behind the scenes to promote an agenda that is, in substance and effect, Democratic. This is not a matter of healthy disagreement within the party, it is a matter of misrepresentation and, some might argue, deception. Many of these same people will promote the “nonpartisan” label as a means to further deceive their intent.
To be clear, I have no objection to genuine independents. Many independent voters are principled people who weigh the issues carefully and sometimes support Republicans, sometimes Democrats. They are upfront about their position. What I find problematic is the behavior of individuals who mislead voters by claiming to be Republicans while consistently opposing the party’s principles. Since arriving in this area, I have not seen these individuals support a single Republican initiative, policy proposal, or candidate. Their record speaks volumes, and it does not align with the values they claim to represent.
Imagine if someone registered as a Democrat and loudly proclaimed themselves as such, yet voted only for Republicans, advocated for conservative policies, and never supported a Democratic candidate or cause. Wouldn’t such behavior raise questions about their sincerity or their purpose?
This behavior poses a significant risk to the integrity and unity of the Republican Party at the local level. Voters deserve transparency and honesty. When individuals claim party affiliation but work against that party’s platform, it confuses the electorate and undermines the grassroots efforts of those working in good faith to promote conservative principles. It also creates an opening for politically motivated organizations to blur the lines between parties for their own strategic advantage.
In fact, we’ve seen such organizations recently emerge in our own community. One relatively new political group claims to represent both Republicans and Democrats and claims to bridge divides in the name of bipartisanship. While that may sound noble on the surface, closer examination reveals a different reality: the Democrats involved in the group rarely, if ever, compromise on their positions, while the so-called Republicans within the organization appear to be the very same individuals who have never publicly supported a Republican cause or candidate. They are not working across the aisle—they are redefining the aisle to serve their own purposes.
This is not about political purity or demanding rigid conformity. It is about honesty, accountability, and respect for the voters. If someone truly supports Democratic policies and candidates, they should have the courage to identify as Democrats. Hiding behind the Republican label while actively working against its principles is not only disingenuous, it is corrosive to our political process.
Being a strong supporter of a political party doesn’t mean being a blind partisan. Most of us don’t agree with our party 100% of the time, but we align with it because its values and principles reflect our own core beliefs.
As voters, we must remain vigilant. We must ask not only what people say, but what they actually support. It is actions—not labels—that reveal a person’s true political identity. And as a party, we must be willing to draw a line between internal debate and external subversion. The future of our local and state politics may depend on it.
Stay True to your values:
Some people make a strong case for being “bipartisan.” While that may sound appealing, we should ask: who actually benefits from this so-called bipartisanship?
Over the years, studies and observations have shown that the political left continues to shift further left. If you doubt that, just compare where the Democratic Party stands today to where it stood 30 years ago. Do you think Democrats back then would have supported things like gender surgeries for minors, stripping away parental rights, or allowing biological men to compete in women’s sports?
The reality is this: if the left keeps moving left, then “bipartisanship” often means Republicans are expected to meet them halfway – by shifting their own principles. That’s not compromise; that’s surrender. Don’t be fooled by the push for “bipartisanship” too often, it’s just a tool used to pressure conservatives into giving up their values.
