State Sen. Dawn Addiego is switching parties.

In a statement Monday, the deputy Republican whip said after careful consideration she has decided to join the state’s Democratic Party.

“As gridlock in Washington dominates the news, it has become increasingly clear that in order to effect change you have to be part of the discussion and not on the outside looking in,” she said in a statement.

Addiego cited her work with Senate President Steve Sweeney on state fiscal policy as a deciding factor in her decision.

Addiego has been a member of the state Senate since 2010 and ascended to deputy whip since 2018.

Her defection would give Democrats a 26-14 edge in the Senate.