Florala

Issue date: 1/14/10 Section: News

Media Credit: Warren Bailey SWITCH FOR THE MINORITY - Congressman Parker Griffith's switch to the GOP caused such a stir among his employees, all but one of them resigned in protest.

On Dec. 22, Congressman Parker Griffith (AL-5) filed the paperwork to switch his allegiance from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party. He cited the health care issue as a cause for his party switch, saying that he could not support the Democratic agenda.

"For me to be true to my core beliefs and values, I must align myself with the republican party," Griffith said.

All but one of his staff members resigned. In a sharply worded statement, Griffith's former chief of staff, Sharon Wheeler, called the freshman congressman's switch a "mistake" that goes against the interests of his district, which relies heavily on federal funding for defense and aerospace jobs.

"We cannot in good conscience continue working for him," Wheeler said. "We do not know what the future holds, but we are taking a leap of faith with the belief we will soon find ourselves in the employment of principled public officials."

Wheeler said Griffith made a "well-intentioned but misguided" decision. She said he abandoned the legacy of conservative Democratic leadership in the north Alabama district, which includes Florence.

Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Chris Van Hollen expressed outrage over Griffith's decision and requested he return the money the DCCC invested to get him elected. Members of the GOP, however, including Congressional Committee Chairman Pete Sessions feel that Griffith's switch to the Republican Party foreshadow big wins for the GOP in the 2010 elections.

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