SOURCE: bloomberg.com  Dec 22, 09

Dec. 22 (Bloomberg) -- U.S. Representative Parker Griffith of Alabama, one of the most endangered first-term lawmakers, announced he is switching to the Republican Party.

“I have become increasingly concerned that the bills and policies pushed by the current Democratic leadership are not good for north Alabama or our nation,” Griffith said today at a press conference at his home in Huntsville. “More importantly, they do not represent my values and my convictions.”

Griffith said he would immediately join the House Republican Conference. Even with his switch, the Democrats hold a 257-178 edge in the House.

Republicans, who had targeted Griffith for defeat in next year’s election, welcomed their newest member.

“Parker Griffith is a dedicated public servant who has consistently put the best interests of his constituents first, and it is in that spirit that Republicans welcome him,” said House Republican Leader John Boehner of Ohio.

House Republican Whip Eric Cantor of Virginia said Griffith’s switch was a rebuke to Democratic policies such as the $787 billion stimulus package and the proposed expansion of health care to cover those without insurance.

“When a member of Congress decides to leave a 258-seat majority to join a deep minority, it is a sure sign that the majority party has become completely disconnected from working families in America,” Cantor said.

Medical Doctor

A medical doctor who won with about 51 percent of the vote in 2008, Griffith kept the northern Alabama district in Democratic hands following the retirement of nine-term Representative Bud Cramer.

He was one of seven Democrats to vote against the stimulus and he opposed the party’s health-care overhaul and its legislation to curb global warming. He has been a member of the Blue Dog Coalition of House Democrats who pushed for spending cuts and a smaller federal deficit.

Griffith, 67, raised $902,723 for his re-election through Sept. 30, including $43,500 from political action committees controlled by Democratic lawmakers.

Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Chris Van Hollen of Maryland said Griffith “ has a duty and responsibility” to refund the Democratic campaign donations.

“His constituents will hold him accountable for failing to keep his commitments,” Van Hollen said.

The last lawmaker to switch parties was Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania who joined the majority Democrats in April. Representatives Rodney Alexander of Louisiana and Ralph Hall of Texas joined the Republicans in 2004 when the party controlled the House. The last party-switcher before Griffith to go from the majority to the minority was Representative Michael Forbes, who represented the east end of Long Island and moved from the Republicans to the Democrats in 1999.

To contact the reporter on this story: Jonathan D. Salant in Washington at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .