Robb Ryerse used to be a Republican. Now he is running as a Democrat in Arkansas 3rd congressional district. He will challenge longtime Republican Steve Womack in the 2026 midterms. Ryerse ran against Womack before, in the 2018 Republican primary.
Ryerse explained why he changed parties. He said he had “a political identity crisis” and sometimes felt “politically homeless.”
He told 40/29 News, “I switched parties because I have shifted in my political beliefs over the years like a lot of people have, but party’s not the most important thing to me. Serving the people of this district is.”
One big reason for the switch is affordability. People in his district are worried about high costs. Food, rent, health care—they are all rising fast. Ryerse said, “People are really nervous about the cost of living and how it’s dramatically increased.”
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He also criticized Trump and the current GOP leadership. “Nothing has been done to bring down the cost of living,” Ryerse said. Voters nationwide feel the same.
A Gallup poll found that economic pressures were the main reason people voted for Trump in 2024. Many expected inflation to go down, but prices remain high. Tariffs and other policies have not helped most families.
The Republican majority in Congress is slim. They hold 219 seats, while Democrats have 213. Losing just a few more seats could slow down Trump’s agenda. Still, Arkansas is a deeply Republican state. It has voted GOP in every presidential election since 2000. Winning there as a Democrat is extremely tough.
Ryerse has been preparing for this shift. Since February 2023, he has been the executive director of Vortex PAC. The group supports Democratic candidates in Arkansas. This shows he has been moving toward the Democratic Party for a while.
Ryerse said he wants voters to focus on issues, not party labels. Housing, groceries, child care, and health care matter more than politics. He wants to represent local families and try to make life easier.
Even in a solid Republican state, Ryerse’s move shows frustration over rising costs. Some voters feel their leaders have not acted fast enough. His campaign may not flip Arkansas, but it highlights a national trend. Economic concerns are driving people to rethink party loyalty.
Featured image via YouTube screengrab
