Remaining Democrat Leaves SEC

The Securities and Exchange Commission is down to three lone Republicans after the second Democrat in a month resigned yesterday, MarketWatch writes. Annette Nazareth's departure comes just two weeks after Roel Campos left the 5-seat board. And the single-party rule makes some observers—who fear that the commission will become less proactive on enforcement—twitchy, USA Today reports.

Nazareth and Campos had taken a hard line against their Republican counterparts, especially in favor of enforcing regulations and fining violators. Although the SEC's political diversity is mandated by law—no more than three of five members can belong to one party—the commission often operates with open seats, and no replacements have been named. (More SEC stories.)