Fred Jarrett, Mercer Island's state representative and the last remaining Republican from suburban King County in the Legislature, switched parties Thursday.

He said Republicans have become so diminished in power and out of touch with voters that they're no longer a relevant part of the debate on state policy.

"I've become more and more convinced that all of the decisions that are going to be made are going to be made inside the Democratic caucus," he said. "Fundamentally, I've been a moderate progressive Republican, and I've seen the party become less and less interested in that approach to winning. I ultimately came to the conclusion that I felt more comfortable as a Democrat."

Jarrett's move gives Democrats a 63-35 majority in the House -- and bolsters power for the party, which also controls the Senate 32-17 and the Governor's Mansion. Jarrett said he plans to run for a newly announced open seat in the state Senate next year.

One-term Sen. Brian Weinstein, D-Mercer Island, said Monday that he would not seek re-election.

"Serving in the Senate was one of the most significant events of my life," he said. "I accomplished some of my goals, though clearly not all, but it was never my intention to become a career politician. I look forward to resuming the full time practice of law at the conclusion of my term."

House Minority Leader Richard DeBolt, R-Chehalis, was disappointed in Jarrett's decision.

"It is clear Fred put his finger up in the air and didn't like the way the political winds were blowing," DeBolt said in a statement. "He made a decision that he thinks is best for him politically, which runs counter to what he told the voters of the 41st District he stood for when they elected him. Fred has let a lot of his friends, staff and constituents down."

House Speaker Frank Chopp, D-Seattle, said he was "very pleased."

"We very much enjoy working with Fred on a host of issues, including transportation and higher education and we are looking forward to working with him at his new capacity," Chopp said.

Jarrett voted to raise the gas tax, for gay rights and for increased investments in education. He also supports abortion rights.

"Good, solid Republican positions, right?" Jarrett said with a tongue-in-cheek chuckle. But he contended that it's the GOP, not voters, in his district that has changed.

Candidates who used to model themselves with moderate Republicans such as former Gov. Dan Evans are finding themselves at odds with a socially conservative caucus, he said.

"I look at the district and what I see is that they are progressive on a lot of social issues -- we vote 70 percent pro-choice in the district and have done so for the last 30-40 years and we are fiscally conservative," he said. "We don't like to waste money.

"We also care a lot about the education of our kids because everything about the Eastside communities is built around education," Jarrett said

Jarrett said his tipping point was during a conversation with Senate Minority Leader Mike Hewitt, R-Walla Walla.

"The gist of the discussion was I told him I don't know how I'm going to win in the 41st, I need to have environmental and NARAL (pro-choice Washington) support and he said, 'Well why do you need NARAL?'

"I pointed out that we were 70 percent pro-choice," Jarrett said. "His immediate reaction was, 'That will be a problem.' "

The Mainstream Republicans of Washington, of which Jarrett was a member, said the announcement was a disappointment but that the party will continue to be home for politicians who share the group's centrist values

"We retain strong centrist leaders in the House and Senate," said the group's chairman, Sid Morrison. "And we remain committed to recruiting and supporting the moderate candidates who will return Republicans to the majority party in Olympia."

P-I reporter Chris McGann can be reached at 360-943-3990 or chrismcgann@seattlepi.com.

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