Chris Herstam has served as a leader in the Arizona Legislature, a gubernatorial chief of staff and as chair of the Arizona Board of Regents. He performed all of those duties as a Republican.

Even in recent years, as he wasn’t shy about criticizing some fellow Republicans, he remained a member of the GOP.

But Herstam has left the Republican party and has registered as a Democrat. 

We talked with Herstam about his change and what it indicates about partisan politics.