Democrat Switches to Republican Party

Conservative Alabama representative Parker Griffith has switched sides from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party Tuesday, December 22, after opposing several of President Barack Obama’s top domestic agenda policies.

The first term lawmaker has voted against three of the president’s domestic policies: the health care reform bill, the economic stimulus package and the energy legislation. He is one of four Democrats to do so. The others are Walt Minnick (ID), Bobby Bright (AL) and Gene Taylor (MS).

The Democrats, owing to his voting history, were not surprised to his switch.

His defection, however, will not change the majority in the house. After he switched, the Democrats control of the house is at 257-178. The Democrats are expected to lose more seats by next year as an opposing party usually gain more seats after the first year in the term of a new president. The Democrats though are still expected to be in the majority.

The last time a Democrat changed parties was in 2004 when Rodney Alexander of Louisiana made the jump over the fence.