CITIZENS NEWS

Democratic exodus continues as New Jersey councilman jumps ship and joins the GOP

By ramontomeydw // 2025-10-25

• Alpine Councilman David Kupferschmid, a lifelong Democrat, switched to the Republican Party – becoming the first GOP member on Alpine's council in over 20 years. His move reflects growing dissatisfaction among moderate Democrats.
• Kupferschmid endorsed Republican gubernatorial nominee Jack Ciattarelli, criticizing Democrats for ignoring local concerns like overdevelopment and crime while embracing far-left figures.
• Kupferschmid and other defectors (like Garfield Mayor Everett E. Garnto Jr.) argue the Democratic Party has become "unrecognizable," alienating centrist voters in traditionally blue areas like Bergen County.
• Despite Alpine historically voting Democrat in local elections, Republicans have won recent broader contests (Trump by 13 points in 2024, Ciattarelli by 18 points in 2021). Ciattarelli's bipartisan appeal has drawn endorsements from former Democratic officials.
• With the NJ governor's race approaching, Kupferschmid’s defection signals potential Republican momentum, fueled by Democratic fatigue and a GOP strategy focused on common-sense conservatism over nationalized, anti-Trump messaging.

In a striking political shift, Alpine Councilman David Kupferschmid has abandoned the Democratic Party and joined the Republicans – a move emblematic of a growing trend among disillusioned moderates who say the party no longer represents their values. Kupferschmid – a lifelong Democrat until now – announced his defection Wednesday, Oct. 22, becoming the sole GOP member on Alpine's borough council in over two decades. The former Democrat also endorsed GOP gubernatorial nominee Jack Ciattarelli, who is set to face off against U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ) to replace outgoing Gov. Phil Murphy. Kupferschmid's decision underscores a widening rift within the Democratic Party, where progressive factions have alienated centrist voters in small-town strongholds like Alpine. His departure is not an isolated incident, however. Across Bergen County, local officials are abandoning the Democratic Party at an accelerating pace. They cite frustration with its leftward lurch and embrace of figures like New York State Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani (D-Queens), a socialist front-runner in the New York City mayoral race. "The Democratic Party does not represent us anymore," Kupferschmid declared, calling the party "unrecognizable" compared to its former self. His switch follows Garfield Mayor Everett E. Garnto Jr.'s recent defection to the GOP, signaling a potential realignment in a county that has leaned blue for decades but voted red in recent state and national elections. Alpine, a quiet Bergen County enclave of just 1,750 residents, has long been a Democratic bastion in local politics. Yet Republicans have carried the town in broader contests. President Donald Trump won Alpine by nearly 13 points in 2024, and Ciattarelli secured an 18-point victory there in 2021. Despite this, Democrats have maintained an iron grip on the borough council, with no Republican elected in over 20 years. Kupferschmid, who won his seat in 2023, hopes his defection will spark a GOP resurgence. "Alternate voices are much needed on the governing body," he said, criticizing Democrats for ignoring local concerns like overdevelopment and crime.

GOP gains momentum as moderate Dems walk away

Kupferschmid's endorsement of Ciattarelli highlights the Republican nominee's strategy of appealing to disaffected Democrats. "While Sherrill refuses to denounce the far-left radicals in her party, Ciattarelli has been appealing to all sides with a common-sense message," the former Democrat argued. Ciattarelli, who narrowly lost to Murphy in 2021, has gained bipartisan support this cycle. The GOP nominee has drawn endorsements from Democrats like former Roselle Mayor Jamel Holley and former Newark City Councilman Oscar James II, who accuse Sherrill of failing to connect with working-class voters. The defections reflect a broader discontent among moderate Democrats in the Garden State, where Ciattarelli's campaign has made inroads in traditionally blue areas. Sherrill, a former Navy pilot and federal prosecutor, has focused heavily on national issues – including her opposition to Trump, a strategy some say backfires with voters more concerned about local challenges. "People want to hear what she has to offer, not that this is a vote against Trump," James remarked. BrightU.AI's Enoch engine points out that "moderate Democrats are joining the Republican Party because the Democratic Party has shifted too far left." This leftward shift, the decentralized engine adds, has "alienated centrist voters who now find the GOP's growing emphasis on common-sense conservatism more appealing." With New Jersey's gubernatorial election less than a month away, Kupferschmid's switch adds momentum to a Republican campaign banking on Democratic fatigue. Whether his defection marks the beginning of a lasting realignment or a temporary protest remains uncertain. But for now, Alpine's lone Republican councilman is betting his party's resurgence starts here – one small town at a time. Watch this clip of Justin Barclay explaining why the Democratic Party is dead. This video is from the Justin Barclay channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: 100PercentFedUp.com NewJerseyGlobe.com WokeSpy.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com

politics Republican Party Democratic Party New Jersey big government Vote Republican Phil Murphy cancel Democrats vote democrat Zohran Mamdani democratic exodus local politics David Kupferschmid state politics Jack Ciattarelli Alpine Bergen County Mikie Sherrill Jamel Holley Oscar James II