On July 22, Maine Representative Larry Dunphy announced that he has left the Republican Party and is now an independent. Maine has registration by party. Dunphy has an op-ed in the Bangor Daily News condemning the way the Republican and Democratic Parties expect their Maine state legislators to follow the wishes of party leaders. The op-ed is co-signed by Brian Jones, a former Democratic member of the legislature who was defeated for re-election after one term.

This is the seventh time this year that a state legislative seat has switched from being held by a Democrat or a Republican, to being held by an independent or minor party nominee. Dunphy will not run for re-election in 2016. Here is a news story about his switch. Thanks to Thomas MacMillan for the links.