St. Francois County Representative explains her party switch; House Democratic Leader says he's disappointed
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St. Francois County Representative explains her party switch; House Democratic Leader says he's disappointed

Date: November 5, 2014
By: Steven Anthony
State Capitol Bureau

Intro: 
Less than 24 hours after winning election as a Democrat, one representative is explaining her party switch
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Wrap: St. Francois County Representative Linda Black says her decision to switch her political allegiance to the Republican Party came to a head when the Supreme Court decided the Defense of Marriage Act case in 2013.

Actuality:  BLACK2.WAV
Run Time:  00:12
Description: "And since the federal Supreme Court ruling and then Missouri looking like we're not going to defend our constitution was probably the tipping point that made me decide I no longer can identify with the Democrat Party."

House Democratic Leader Jacob Hummel called Black's decision to flip parties a deceptive bait and switch and a betrayal of her constituents.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Steven Anthony, NewsRadio 1120 KMOX.

Intro: 
The House Democratic Leader chastised a St. Francois County representative who announced she was switching parties less than 24 hours after the election.
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Wrap: St. Louis City Representative Jacob Hummel said St. Francois County Representative Linda Black was not honest with her constituents when she was elected as a Democrat, but flipped her party allegiance to the Republicans less than a day later.

Actuality:  HUMMEL.WAV
Run Time:  00:06
Description: "She went to the polls knowing that she was lying to her voters and did it with a straight face and I think that's disgusting."

Black says she switched parties because she felt isolated and that the Democratic leadership in the House was too liberal.

With Black's defection, Republicans now control 118 House seats, the most either party has had since 1965. 

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Steven Anthony, NewsRadio 1120 KMOX.