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MAY 23, 2001

Remember when Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell of Colorado jumped ship from the Democrat party to the GOP when the Republicans gained control of Congress in 1995?

Well, Campbell isn't going back to his roots, but Senator James M. Jeffords is expected today to announce if he will stay or leave the Republican party. GOP aides are hoping to convince him to stay, as his departure would upset the 50-50 split in the Senate and the power-sharing agreement brokered by party leaders.

Democrats say they have offered him the chairmanship of the Environment and Public Works Committee if he switches sides. Senator Harry Reid (D-Nev.) is next in line for the job but has agreed to hand the position over.

Jefford now says he will make a decision on Thursday.

Get the Story:
Jeffords Tells Staff He's Leaving GOP (The Washington Post 5/23)
Sen. Jeffords May Quit GOP (The Washington Post 5/23)
Moderate Republican Sets His Own Course (The Washington Post 5/23)
Senator From Vermont Says He Is Leaving G.O.P. (The New York Times 5/23)
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Lawmakers Who Have Switched Parties (AP 5/23)

Relevant Links:
Sen. Jim Jeffords - http://www.senate.gov/~jeffords
Republican National Committee - http://www.rnc.org