New Jersey Republican switches parties after falling out with leadership

New Jersey state Sen. Samuel Thompson said Monday he's leaving the Republican Party and plans to seek reelection this year as a Democrat. Thompson, 87, said in a phone interview that he decided to leave the GOP after party leaders questioned his fitness for office because of his age. "The betrayal by so many of my friends — that was too much for me," he said. "I am not leaving my party. My party leadership has left me." Thompson's departure would expand the Democrats' edge in the state Senate from...