Jeff Duncan Switches from GOP to Democrats
Former Georgia Lieutenant Colonel Jeff Duncan has announced his departure from the GOP to join the Democratic Party. Duncan served as a Republican from 2019 to 2023 and recently shared his thoughts in the Atlanta Journal Constitution. He indicated that his transition started well before Donald Trump’s attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.
“My journey to becoming a Democrat has begun quite a bit before Donald Trump tried to steal the 2020 election in Georgia,” he stated, reflecting on how his views evolved. “There are no clear-cut dates or moments that marked this change, but I felt it shifting. My choice was rooted in my daily struggles to care for my neighbors while identifying as a Republican.”
Duncan pointed to several societal issues that influenced his decision to switch parties—areas such as healthcare, immigration, Medicaid, and gun safety. He emphasized that his experience in office taught him how public policy can better reflect compassion and neighborly love.
Before serving as lieutenant governor, he was a member of the Georgia House from 2013 to 2017. Notably, he opted not to seek reelection in 2022. Over the years, Duncan has argued that the apparent lack of health insurance among GOP lawmakers results from not fulfilling their responsibilities, while many uninsured individuals in Georgia do have jobs but lack affordable health coverage.
“So, in reality, they have jobs, they just have the wrong job,” Duncan explained. He criticized legislation tied to Trump that slashed Medicaid funds and pointed out the negative consequences for federal nutrition support programs, stressing the importance of ensuring children do not go hungry.
Duncan also highlighted public support for gun control measures like Universal Background Checks and the Red Flag Act, which he believes is necessary. He has been vocal about opposing the Trump administration’s immigration policies, stating they didn’t show proper compassion. He envisions a need to secure borders while also advocating for a pathway to citizenship for many immigrants residing in the U.S.
His party switch comes on the heels of being expelled from the Georgia GOP earlier this year due to claims of disloyalty. At the time, the party’s resolution referenced his comments about Biden and support for former vice president Kamala Harris.
Throughout his recent political journey, Duncan has faced criticism of Trump and the Republican Party, particularly around the 2020 election fallout and the January 6 Capitol riots. He concluded, “The list of reasons why I’m now a Democrat continues to grow. Most importantly, my decision puts me in the best position every day to love my neighbor.”
