Ten local Democratic officials switch to GOP

The exodus out of the Democratic Party is continuing.
Alabama Republicans are boasting about local officials leaving the Democratic Party in Covington and Tuscaloosa counties after sweeping GOP wins in November. While Republicans had gained increasing influence in the state in recent years, Democrats had held onto the Legislature and onto county elected positions.
In November, Republicans took control of the Legislature and now some of those local officials are switching.
In Tuscaloosa County, Sheriff Ted Sexton switched parties.
A host of Democrats switched parties in Covington County including District Judge Trippy McGuire, Circuit Judge Lex Short, Sheriff Dennis Meeks, Commissioner Bragg Carter, Coroner Norman Hobson, school board Chairman John Clark, and school board members Jeff Bailey, Jimmy Rodgers, and Linda Powell.
Alabama Republican Party Chairman Mike Hubbard, who is now speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives, is continuing to work to build the party after its wins in November and in his final weeks as chairman, according to a statement from the state party. He welcomed the party switchers.
"Each are highly respected in their counties and we are honored they have chosen to join us," Hubbard said. "2010 was an historic election cycle for Alabama Republicans and I'm proud to see our success spilling over into 2011. The future of our party has never been brighter."
Republicans won every statewide office on the November ballot and took control of the Legislature for the first time in more than 130 years.
Soon after the November election, four legislators announced they were switching parties, giving the Republicans a supermajority in the House and Senate.

-- posted by Sebastian Kitchen