Posted on 02/08/2012 5:51:23 PM PST by LdSentinal
TUSCALOOSA | State Rep. Alan Harper of Aliceville is switching to the Republican Party.
Harper, who was selected Monday night to be Northport’s economic development director, has been a Democrat throughout his time in the Legislature. He was first elected to represent District 61 in the House in 2006 and was re-elected in 2010.
“This is a decision that has taken many months of deliberation and thought,” Harper said. “In the end, I made the decision because it is best for District 61. I was elected to serve my district to the best of my ability and this decision reflects that.”
District 61 encompasses Pickens County and a slice of west-central Tuscaloosa County, including Northport. Harper won 68 percent of the vote in 2006 and 65 percent of the vote in 2010.
His change in party affiliation comes as a Legislature with a Republican super-majority in the House and Senate prepares to redraw district lines based on the 2010 U.S. Census. Harper will face redistricting as a member of the legislative majority but he said he has not received any promises about how his district will shape up and has not made any promises in switching parties.
“I haven’t received any promises and I don’t do quid pro quo,” he said.
Harper said his decision does not reflect a change of heart or philosophy. At this time, the Republican Party is a better fit for him personally as well as his district, he said.
“My ideals and philosophies for a better district and to improve our state have not changed one bit,” Harper said. “I’m still the same person I was when I got out of bed this morning and will be tomorrow morning. My support of business, education, new jobs and the well-being of the citizens of District 61 are priority number one.”
He said he plans to run for re-election in 2014 and his change in parties will get a mixed reaction.
“There is no best time to make a decision like this,” he said. “Some folk are going to be happy and some may be upset. What is important to me is to be forthright, to let all citizens in District 61 know my decision well before the next election in 2014. It’s the fair and right thing to do.”
The House now has 66 Republicans and 39 Democrats.
This guy sounds like just another self-serving political hack to me.
I smell stink every time a rat does this...
this is how the left corrupted the party from the inside....
In the South, old time Democrats were really repulicans inphilosophy and many were Democrat because their daddy was. I know I thought at first I was supposed to be a Democrat growing up in New Orleans La! Luckily I saw the error of my ways.
Southern Democrats for the most part, do not like the social stances of the Democrat party. IE Gay marriage.
Sounds like a Career Politician to me ... if he represented me (no matter what Party) I would Vote for someone else.
JMHO
TT
Local and national elections say a lot about democrats. When the Republicans win the local and national elections a lot of democrats sitting “in power” SWITCH parties. This is the reason we have so many RINOS. They hate to lose the power and nationally the noteiroty, power and money. These people have NO core values. We have 3 democrats, locally, running as Republicans....says a lot about core values, and unfortunately, one is a cousin........on the “other” side of the family.
A political leader is someone who sees which way the crowd is going and gets in front of them. I forgot who said that, perhaps Mark Twain, but it’s often true.
RINO!!!!!
Closest thing to that quote I can find is:
“Leaders are people who go their own way without caring, or even looking to see, whether anyone is following them.” - John Holt (homeschooling advocate, 1923-1985)
Here we go:
“Leadership is Seeing a Parade and Standing In Front of It”
And several variations of that. Seems to be apocryphal.
Reject them/him. Don't need lukewarm "friends" like this.
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