Louisville councilwoman changes political party affiliation, says she's 'here to collaborate'

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- District 7 Louisville Metro Councilwoman Paula McCraney announced Wednesday she changed her party affiliation from Democrat to Independent.

"This decision is not about rejecting one party over the other but it's a re-affirming of my commitment to the 28,000 residents that I serve in District 7," said McCraney, who has been elected twice as a Democrat to the council.

She said being a Republican or Democrat is not necessary when it comes to addressing certain issues in the community, such as sidewalks. McCraney cited the "dysfunction of the two-party system" as she announced her decision to become an Independent.

"When you think about it, on even a national level, it has just gotten more and more dysfunctional, and I just don't want to be a part of that," she said. "I want to be able to focus, I want to be able to state my opinion based on what I think is best for my constituents and I don't want the party to be in the way of that."

The move comes as a new law takes effect that makes Metro Council races nonpartisan, starting with the next scheduled elections in 2026 — when McCraney could run for another term in a suburban district that includes St. Matthews, Lyndon and Windy Hills.

She told WDRB News on Wednesday she hasn't yet decided whether to seek reelection.

McCraney, who chairs the council's labor and economic development committee, said formally leaving the Democratic party doesn't mean she will stop working with any members of Metro Council, no matter their party affiliation.

Metro Councilwoman Paula McCraney announces change in political party affiliation. *(WDRB Image from Jan. 29, 2025)*

"I am even more committed to collaboration and consensus building, because, now, the balance in the Metro Council will be 13 Democrats, 12 Republicans and one Independent," she said. "It is vitally important that we continue to collaborate."

McCraney said those totals are important because it takes 14 votes to pass legislation, including the city's budget, "and based on those numbers, somebody will have to cast the deciding vote most of the time."

She said she believes this move will increase communication and collaboration across Metro Council.

"With the makeup, no one party has the obvious and typical votes that you need," McCraney said. "So somebody's going to have to reach across the aisle."

According to McCraney, she officially changed her party affiliation Wednesday morning.

"I just want it to be very clear that this is not an indictment on the Democratic party but it is a true value that I hold, and I'm making the decision based on what's best for me and my constituents," she said.

Because of this party change, McCraney will no longer be part of the Democratic caucus on Metro Council. According to membership guidelines, she could petition as an Independent to join the caucus. However, McCraney said she will not be petitioning and plans to not be part of either Metro Council caucus.

Councilwoman, Tammy Hawkins, D-1, who chairs the Democratic caucus said she learned about McCraney's decision Wednesday morning.

"We respect her decision even though we were blindsided," Hawkins said. "Communication for me starts there."

She said the caucus will continue to support McCraney.

"I've always worked across the aisle, so working with an Independent would be nothing different," Hawkins said. "She has a community that she needs to serve, as we all do."

This is not the first time in recent years to see a Louisville council member change their party affiliation. In 2023, then-Councilman Jecorey Arthur left the Democratic party to become an Independent.

In that case, Hawkins said it was like Arthur "never left the room" and communication remained open.

"The goal is to represent the people that put us here," she said. "That's it and that's all. And that's what we plan to continue to do — to work together collectively, not only as a Democrat party but the entire council."

In a statement from Mayor Craig Greenberg's office, press secretary Kevin Trager said, "This decision is surprising and unfortunate, but the Mayor and Councilwoman McCraney have always had a strong working relationship, and that will continue. The Mayor remains committed to collaborating with all of his colleagues on the Metro Council to deliver outstanding services to Louisville families and to build a safer, stronger city for everyone."

In April 2024, WDRB reported elections for Louisville's mayor and Metro Council will no longer be partisan after state lawmakers overturned a veto from Gov. Andy Beshear. Supporters said this would put Louisville in line with most other Kentucky cities, such as Lexington, that already have nonpartisan elections.

In his veto message, Beshear called the bill "antidemocratic" and argued that if good government is the goal, then the General Assembly should make all elections in the state nonpartisan.

Council President Brent Ackerson, a Democrat who was elected council president this month with Republican support, has not immediately returned a call for comment about McCraney's party change.

Republican council member Kevin Kramer said he's looking forward to talking with McCraney. The Metro Council's Republican caucus declined to comment through its director, Steve Haag.

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