North Carolina to have GOP supermajority in legislature as Democrat expected to switch parties

North Carolina Republicans are slated to have a supermajority in the General Assembly if state Rep. Tricia Cotham, a Charlotte Democrat, switches parties as expected Wednesday.

Cotham is slated to announce her decision to join the GOP during a press conference, according to Axios. Republicans are one seat away from having the supermajority, and the switch would give the party more power to override any vetos from Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper.

It is unclear what motivated the switch, but Democrats recently criticized Cotham for skipping a vote that resulted in the override of Cooper's veto of a Republican-sponsored bill that eased gun regulations in the state.

Moderate state Democratic Rep. Cecil Brockman told the News & Observer newspaper the blowback over the vote may have driven her out of the party.

"I think she just wanted to do what's best for her district and when you're constantly talked about and trashed – especially the way that we have been over the past few weeks – I think this is what happens," Brockman said.

Additionally, Democratic House minority leader Rep. Robert Reives on Tuesday demanded for Cotham to resign.