N.Y. Republican Representative Reportedly Switching Parties

Rep. Michael P. Forbes (R-N.Y.) will announce this afternoon that he is switching parties, according to several sources.

Forbes could not be reached for comment, but informed sources said he would hold a news conference at his Long Island home to declare his decision to become a Democrat. He flew home from Washington in a private jet, accompanied by a Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee official, sources said, after meeting with House Minority Leader Richard A. Gephardt (D-Mo.) Friday afternoon.

The move would be the latest act of rebellion by the three-term suburban Republican, who turned 47 Friday and has had a combative relationship with the Republican leadership since late 1996.

A member of the revolutionary freshman class of 1994, Forbes unseated a Democrat and was rewarded with a spot on the prized House Appropriations Committee. Although he loyally supported the GOP’s “contract with America” after he arrived in Washington, he gradually began taking more centrist stands on issues such as health care and campaign finance.

News of the impending switch prompted immediate GOP criticism. “If he wants to take Americans back to the days of high taxation, high deficits, bloated bureaucracy and the welfare state, then he’s joining the right team,” said National Republican Congressional Committee spokeswoman Jill Schroeder.

Forbes’ apparent move follows another significant party resignation: Sen. Bob Smith (R-N.H.) left Washington Tuesday to pursue an independent party run for the presidency.