Ala. Dem congressman says he’s switching to the GOP over health care, other policy concerns

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Ala. House Dem defects to GOP over policy concerns

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — A freshman Democratic House member from Alabama says he’s switching to the GOP over concerns that bills and policies pushed by the Democratic leadership are bad for the country and his district.

At a press conference in Alabama on Tuesday, Parker Griffith says as a doctor he wants to make it clear that he believes the health care overhaul making its way through Congress is bad for physicians and patients.

Griffith is a radiation oncologist who had accumulated one of the most conservative voting records of any House Democrat. He was one of seven Democrats to oppose Obama’s economic stimulus measure early this year.

He was also one of 39 House Democrats who voted against the health care bill that narrowly passed.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Freshman Democratic House member Parker Griffith of Alabama is switching to the Republican Party, his office said Tuesday, another blow to Democrats facing a potentially tough midterm election.

Griffith, 67, was narrowly elected last year from a region of northern Alabama that includes Huntsville and Decatur. President Barack Obama lost the district badly to Republican John McCain.

Griffith, a radiation oncologist, had accumulated one of the most conservative voting records of any House Democrat. He was one of seven Democrats to oppose Obama’s economic stimulus measure early this year.

He was one of 39 House Democrats who voted against a major health care bill that narrowly passed. He also voted against an anti-global warming bill pushed strongly by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.

Democrats will hold 257 House seats to the GOP’s 178 after Griffith’s switch.

Several veteran House moderates have announced their retirements next year, giving Republicans hopes of picking up a significant number of seats in the November elections.

Jim Spearman, executive director of the Alabama Democratic Party, said the switch “shouldn’t come as a surprise” with the way Griffith voted.

“We will be working strongly to put a Democrat in there,” Spearman said.

Associated Press writers Frederic J. Frommer, Sam Hananel and Andrew Taylor contributed to this report.