Rep. Nathan Deal Monday became the third Democrat in Congress to switch to the Republican Party since the fall election.
Noting that he has often supported Republican positions, Deal said he finally decided he must switch to "get away from the schizophrenia I've had to deal with." Deal, 53, serving his second term, has been among the most conservative Democrats in the House."During the last 100 days, I have observed my party at the national level simply not be willing to admit that they are out of touch with main-stream America," Deal said at a news conference.
He said the last straw came last week when Democrats refused to consider amendments to the Clean Water Act intended to combat what Republicans consider economically crippling over-reg-ulation.
The switch changes the makeup of Georgia's House delegation to eight Republicans and three Democrats. A year ago, there were seven Democrats and four Republicans.
Deal said he had spoken Monday morning with House Speaker Newt Gingrich, architect of the Republican takeover in last fall's election, whose district abuts Deal's. He said Gingrich welcomed him to the party.
A day after the GOP November election landslide, Sen. Richard Shelby of Alabama became a Republican. Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell of Colorado switched to the Republicans the day after Democrats helped defeat the balanced-budget amendment to the Constitution.
Deal, who served in the Georgia Senate from 1980-92, said he told Democratic Gov. Zell Miller that his decision reflected dissatisfaction with the national party, not fellow Georgians.
Deal's move would increase the Republicans' House majority to 231-203, with one independent.