HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A Democrat in Pennsylvania’s state Senate is switching his registration to become an independent and will caucus with the Republican majority. Sen. John Yudichak of Luzerne County said Tuesday that registering as an independent is the only way he can faithfully and fully serve his district. Yudichak’s departure comes after Democrats picked up six seats in the past year. Yudichak won a third Senate term last year. He’s occasionally split with Democratic leadership on floor votes.