Party of One?
Expect an announcement tomorrow morning from the Marion County Libertarian Party that At-large City-County Councilor Ed Coleman is joining their ranks.
Coleman would not comment on the move when I spoke to him tonight at an east side forum over a proposed city-wide smoking ban.
Libertarian party officials were also silent, however, I have confirmed that Coleman will make the switch.
Coleman was one of three Republican at-large members elected in 2007, giving the GOP a 16-13 majority. His defection now makes that 15-13-1. Relations had been somewhat strained lately been Coleman and members of his party.
There’s no word yet on whether Coleman will be allowed to keep any of his committee assignments now that he is becoming a Libertarian.
The last time there was anything close to this shift of a Council make up was when Republicans and some Democrats joined together to elect Steve Talley Council President over then President Rozelle Boyd back in 2005.
21:50 UPDATE:
I spoke to CCC President Bob Cockrum this evening who said he was surprised to find out Coleman was leaving the party. He said Coleman had not contacted him yet about his decision to join the Libertarians although he got his first call about the defection mid-afternoon.
Cockrum said while there had been some disagreements in the GOP caucus, there was always open discussion and debate was never stifled. He also noted Coleman voted with his caucus a majority of the time. Cockrum did not say that Coleman would immediately lose any of his positions on the Rules or Economic Development Committees, but he did say that matter would have to be taken up with the GOP leadership.
Cockrum does not expect Coleman to vote very often with the Democrats on the Council as Libertarians tend to be more conservative on many issues.
