Schuylkill County District Attorney Mike O’Pake announced Friday that he’s changing his political party affiliation from Democrat to Republican.
In a statement released on Friday, O’Pake says he’s a firm supporter of law enforcement and basically believes that’s not what his old party stands for these days.
“Over the last two election cycles, Democrats, both nationally and even in parts of Pennsylvania, have insisted on defunding the police and decriminalizing drug crimes and quality of life violations. Instead of focusing on working people, law and order, child safety, drug-free schools, and safe neighborhoods, the new version of the Democratic Party has embraced issues that do not impact most Schuylkill County residents, such as open borders, sweeping gun control, increased taxes and other similar issues,” O’Pake says.
He adds, “I can no longer sit back and be affiliated with a national party which no longer supports the values which I believe in personally and professionally. I believe in backing and supporting Law Enforcement, instead of defunding it; I believe in freedom of choice when it comes to vaccines, instead of mandating vaccines; I believe in economic development and infrastructure improvements, instead of far-reaching public welfare for non-citizens; I believe in personal responsibility and the Rule of Law, instead of defunding and decriminalizing. Finally, I support, protect and defend the 2nd Amendment right of Americans to bear arms.”
The District Attorney says his decision to flip to the Republican Party was only reached after “a year of reflection” and discussion with family and friends.
O’Pake says that despite his decision to change parties, the way he runs his office will not change. He adds that he’s always hired both Democrats and Republicans as prosecutors and members of his office staff.
“My decisions on which cases to prosecute have never been based on politics. My decisions on resolution of cases, likewise, has never been based on politics. I stand firm behind my record of serving the people, not politics,” O’Pake says. “Nothing about my political affiliation change will impact how I run the District Attorney’s Office when it comes to staffing, charging decisions, case resolution and my dealings with Law Enforcement. My focus will continue to be on safe neighborhoods, drug-free schools, law and order, and a continued focus on the fight against drugs and violent crime.”
O’Pake last ran for public office in 2023 when he squared off with Bill Burke for a Schuylkill County Court of Common Pleas judge. He was defeated in that race. O’Pake first ran for District Attorney in 2017, when he defeated incumbent Christine Holman. O’Pake ran unopposed for that office in 2021.
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