Although Mazi Pilip publicly identifies as a Republican and won county office under the GOP banner, she is actually a registered Democrat. She says she registered as a Democrat when she got to the U.S. but has drifted away from the party as it has become more liberal. She is running In a special election today for New York's 3rd district. I note this because a person's political party registration doesn't always reflect a person's political actions. Sometimes a person changes their political leanings, but just doesn't bother to change their political party registration. Even those that run for office.
According to Mazi Pilip, the Democratic party has changed just since she got to the U.S. which was 2005.
According to her, a political party can change so much in under 25 years that it would lead to her changing political parties.