BRUNSWICK — Independent

announced Wednesday he will continue to caucus with the Democrats.

The Republicans won a majority in the U.S. Senate during Tuesday’s election.

King announced his decision to reporters Wednesday outside his home in Brunswick.

The former Maine governor was elected in 2012 to replace Republican Sen. Olympia Snowe, a prominent centrist who complained about Washington’s partisan gridlock when she stepped down.

King said back then that he briefly considered not aligning with either party. He decided against that after realizing he could be shut out of committee assignments, where much legislative work gets done.

The former Democrat says he has kept his independence despite caucusing with a party.

“It does not mean that I have given up my right to make independent decisions on bills, amendments or presidential policies, just as I have over the last two years,” King said. “And it does not mean that I have made a promise to support the Democratic position on any particular issue which may come before the Senate.”

King said it’s important for Maine to have senators in both camps. “The reality of the current Senate — whether the Democrats or the Republicans are in control — is that nothing can or will happen without bipartisan support.”

Also, King said caucusing with the party of the U.S. President gives Maine an advantage. He was afraid switching caucuses would be perceived as being openly hostile to the president.

King appreciated how the Senate Democrats have treated him since he joined them two years ago. “My independence has always been respected, I was not pressured to vote the party line, and I was listened to and actively consulted as caucus positions were developed,” King said.

King hopes to be a unifying force like Maine’s other U.S. Senator, Republican Susan Collins. “In the end, who I caucus with is less important than who I work with,” King said.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

Copy the Story Link