DOWNSIDE LEGACY AT TWO DEGREES OF PRESIDENT CLINTON
SECTION: THE POLITICAL EXITS
SUBSECTION: PARTY SWITCHING
Revised 7/21/99

ELECTED REPUBLICANS NOW DEMOCRAT SINCE 1992
ELECTED DEMOCRATS NOW REPUBLICAN SINCE 1992

ELECTED REPUBLICANS NOW DEMOCRAT SINCE 1992
Betsy McCaughey Ross Lt. Governor New York
Carolyn McCarthy, Congresswoman (NY) - changed before election
Rep Mike Forbes

Fox News Channel 7/16/99 "…Mike Forbes believes that independence is the key to effective representation in Congress and it is an uphill battle…The people of Long Island have given me their trust and, to maintain that trust, I need to know as best I can how my constituents feel on the issues…."

 

ELECTED DEMOCRATS NOW REPUBLICAN SINCE 1992
Dave Donley State Senator (AK)
Thelda Williams Councilmember (AZ)
Peter D. Shumway Navajo County Supervisor (AZ)
Sam Standerfer Mohave County Supervisor (AZ)
Beverly Payne Mohave County Assessor (AZ)
Ms. Casey Prochaska Yuma County Supervisor (AZ)
Barbara Patrick Kern County Board of Supervisors (CA)
Nina Dean Toulomene County DA (CA)
Ben Nighthorse Campbell U.S. Senator (CO)
Greg Lopez Mayor - Parker, CO (CO)
Dennis Maughan County Commissioner (ID)
Larry Dolezal Lincoln County Commissioner (MT)
Mark Alden University Regent (NV)
Marv Teixeira Mayor, Carson City (NV)
Bill Copeland County Commissioner, Nye County (NV)
Mike McCormick DA, Humboldt County (NV)
Don Chairez District Judge (NV)
Lou Toomin State Representative (NV)
Nancy Kirksey Mayor, Woodburn (OR)
Jody Fischer Chair, Woodburn School Board (OR)
Kevin Mannix State Representative (OR)
Tom Campbell State Representative (WA)
Dave Mastin State Representative (WA)
Robert H. Hinton Commissioner, Jefferson County (WA)
Eli Bebout State Representative, Minority Whip (WY)
Bernie Thompson Sheriff, Kankakee County (IL)
David Stolman, County Commissioner (IL)
Eric Gregg, Saline County Board (IL)
Tim Bukowski, Sheriff, Kankakee County (IL)
James Giglio, Thornton Township Trustee (IL)
Andy Qunell, Crete Township Trustee (IL)
Aurie Pucinski, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County (IL)
Michael B. Healy, Davis County Councilman (IN)
James DeSana Mayor, Wyandotte (MI)
Norm Coleman, St. Paul Mayor (MN)
Michael Brandenburg, State Representative (ND)
John Breslow, State Auditor (NE)
Curt Donaldson, Lincoln City Councilmember (NE)
Debra Houghtaling, County Clerk, Sarpy County (NE)
Linda Wilson, City Council Chairwoman (NE)
Charles Curran, Montgomery County Commisioner (OH)
Dennis Helmick, Hamilton County Municipal Judge (OH)
Gregory Jolivette, Hamilton Mayor (OH)
Mark Smith, State's Attorney, Hughes County (SD)
Al Stein City Councilman, Bridgeport (CT)
Tom Fiorentino West Hartford School Board (CT)
VonzellWard Calvert County Sheriff (MD)
C. Edward Middlebrooks State Senator (MD)
Kay Hartled Register of Wills, Howard County (MD)
Michael Chiuchuolo Sheriff, Howard County (MD)
Chuck Curran County Commissioner (MD)
Edgar Wheeler State Representative, Bridgewater (ME)
June C. Meres State Representative (ME)
George Williams State Assemblyman, 7th District (NJ)
Gus Tamburro Mayor, Evesham (NJ)
Vincenza Restiano Yonkers City Council (NY)
Daniel Tissiere Town Supervisor (NY)
Leo Hart Troy Councilman (NY)
Timothy Whitesell Town Supervisor (NY)
Richard Martinkovic Liberty Town Supervisor (NY)
Charles J. Eber Monroe County Legislator (NY)
Edward Krebs State Representative, Lebanon (PA)
Patricia Carone State Representative, Butler County (PA)
Ralph Acosta State Representative, North Philadelphia (PA)
Thomas Stish State Representative, Scranton (PA)
Theodore F. Lindgren State Representative (VT)
Walter McGlockin Limestone County Commissioner (AL)
Richard Shelby U.S. Senator (AL)
Frank Burt, Jr. Baldwin County Commissioner (AL)
Billy Thompson Shelby County Commissioner (AL)
Donald Koontz Baldwin County Commissioner (AL)
Winford Turner Revenue Commission, Morgan County (AL)
Chip Beeker Greene County Commissioner (AL)
Steve Flowers State Representative (AL)
Jerry Glover Superintendent of Ed. Dale County (AL)
Jim Sullivan President, Public Service Comm. (AL)
Eddie Vines Tax Collector, Jefferson County (AL)
Gerald Allen State Representative AL-62 (AL)
Ward "Bucky" McMillan Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals (AL)
Ann Nichols Tax Collector (AL)
Dale Nabors School Board (AL)
John H. Ashbrooks, Jr. County Judge, Jefferson County (AL)
Michael F. Bolin County Judge, Jefferson County (AL)
John C. Calhoun County Judge, Jefferson County (AL)
Arthur H. Hanes, Jr. County Judge, Jefferson County (AL)
James D. Hard County Judge, Jefferson County (AL)
Mike McCormick County Judge, Jefferson County (AL)
J. Gary Pate County Judge, Jefferson County (AL)
Sandra Ross Storm County Judge, Jefferson County (AL)
Gerald S. Topazi County Judge, Jefferson County (AL)
Mike Richardson County Commissioner, Tuscaloosa (AL)
C.J. "Dutch" Higginbotham State Board of Education (AL)
Gorman Houston State Justice, Supreme Court (AL)
Bill Franklin Sheriff, Elmore County (AL)
Janice Clardy District Attorney (AL)
Mary Bucklew County Commision Chairman (AL)
Herbie Johnson Sheriff, Autauga County (AL)
Bradley Byrne State School Board (AL)
Whit Moncrief Coroner, Autauga County (AL)
Mac Gibson State Representative (AL)
Michael Nix District Judge (AL)
Jim Bennett Secretary of State (AL)
W. Van Davis District Attorney (AL)
David Barber District Attorney (AL)
Ralph Coleman District Court Judge (AL)
James "Billy" Patton District Court Judge (AL)
Vincent Schillaci District Court Judge (AL)
Dan Jones Sheriff - Montgomery County (AL)
Sibley Reynolds Circuit Court Judge (AL)
Richard Dorrough Judge (AL)
Steve Windom State Senator (AL)
O.J. McGriff Chairman, Chilton County Board of Ed. (AL)
Glenn McGriff Chilton County Tax Assesor (AL)
Chip Bailey State Senator (AL)
Ron Johnson State Representative (AL)
Tim Parker State Representative (AL)
Ed Austin Mayor, Jacksonville (FL)
W.D. Childers State Senator (FL)
Byrd Mapoles Chairman, Santa Rosa County (FL)
Donald R. Davis President, Jacksonville City Council (FL)
James F. Tullis City Councilman, Jacksonville (FL)
Nancy Dance Flagler School Board (FL)
Mary M. Johnson Santa Rosa County Clerk of Court (FL)
Sam Agner Taylor County School Board (FL)
Barbara Wood County Commissioner (FL)
Moses Floyd County Commissioner (FL)
Penny Haliburton Supervisor, Board of Elections, St. John's County (FL)
Joe Chillura Jr. Hillsborough Cty Commisioner (FL)
Nancy Rouse Hedrick Polk Cty Commisioner (FL)
Sandra Murman State Representative (FL)
Durell Peaden, Jr. State Representative (FL)
George Whitehurst Crestview Mayor (FL)
Tom Smith Crestview City Council Chm. (FL)
Everett Kelly State Representative (FL)
Harry C. Goode, Jr. State Representative (FL)
Roy Allen State Senator (GA)
Michael J. Bowers Attorney General (GA)
Nathan Deal U.S. Representative (GA)
Bob Durden Chairman / Public Service Comm. (GA)
Kathy Kesee Superior Court Clerk (GA)
Dan F. Pierce Chief Magistrate (GA)
H. Greg Adams Probate Judge (GA)
Rita Rainwater Chairman, Douglas County Commission (GA)
Franklin Thornton Sheriff, Walton County (GA)
William F. Howell Sheriff, Colquitt County (GA)
Ronnie Culbreth State Representative (GA)
Rick Holder Chairman, County Commissioners, Walton County (GA)
Marilyn Farmer Commissioner, District 6 (GA)
Cheryl Fisher Custer Rockdale County District Attorney (GA)
Tal DuVall Commissioner, District 10 (GA)
Kermit "K." Bates State Representative (GA)
Dan Ponder, Jr. State Representative (GA)
Jeff Lewis State Representative (GA)
Scott Tolbert State Representative (GA)
Sonny Perdue State Senator/Pres. Pro Tempore (GA)
John Schickel Boone County Jailer (KY)
Dale Zebert Alderman (MS)
Bill Cannon State Senator, SD 17 (MS)
John Roberts Alderman, Ward 4 (MS)
Edward Prisock Chancery Court Judge, District 6 (MS)
Carol Clifford Supervisor (MS)
Mike Mills State Representative, HD 21 (MS)
David LaRosa Supervisor, Harrison County (MS)
David Raper Mayor- Duck Hill (MS)
Lynn Weathersby Supervisor, Rankin County (MS)
C.T. Switzer, Jr. Supervisor, Harrison County (MS)
Larry Benefield Supervisor, Harrison County (MS)
Tommy Robertson State Senator (MS)
Bob Short State Representative, Harrison County (MS)
Mike Parker U.S. Representative,District-04 (MS)
Walter "Pud" Graham State Senator (MS)
Crowell Armstrong State Senator (MS)
Ted Foster State Representative (MS)
Bobby Howell State Representative (MS)
Rusty Fortenberry District Attorney, Covington, Jasper (MS)
Tommy Wood State Representative (MS)
W.E. Sluggo Davis Chancery Court Clerk (MS)
Charlie Williams State Representative (MS)
Gene Thatch Superivor (MS)
Barbara McCall Alderman (MS)
Emery Veazey Mayor (MS)
James Williams Councilman (MS)
Dan Moore Mayor (MS)
James Albert Riley Sheriff (MS)
Parker Pickle Tax Assesor (MS)
Don Dale Alderman (MS)
Thomas Carr Constable (MS)
Tommy Lewis Desota Cty Supervisor (MS)
Jessie Medlen Desota Cty Supervisor (MS)
Bob Sewell Alderman (MS)
Frances M. Cummings State Representative, Robeson County (NC)
Rick Greeson Superior Court Judge (NC)
Catherine Graham Clerk of Court (NC)
Jim Webb Superior Court Judge (NC)
Jayreen Manness District Court Judge (NC)
James Law State Representative (SC)
J. Roland Smith State Representative (SC)
Wes Hayes State Senator (SC)
Bob Waldrep State Senator (SC)
Harold Worley State Representative (SC)
C.D. Chamblee State Representative (SC)
Dave Waldrop State Representative (SC)
Ronnie Townsend State Representative -- District 7 (SC)
Woody McKay State Representative -- District 60 (SC)
Billy Boan State Representative (SC)
Molly Spearman State Representative (SC)
Stan Spears Adjutant General (SC)
John Felder State Representative (SC)
Holman Gosset Circuit Solicitor, 7th Circuit (SC)
Hugh Leatherman State Senator, SD-31 (SC)
Wade S. Kolb Jr. Circuit Solicitor, 3rd Circuit (SC)
George M. Duckworth Circuit Solicitor, 10th Circuit (SC)
Ben F. Grate County School Board (SC)
Jonny Rowell County School Board (SC)
Marion "Judge" Kinon State Representative (SC)
Rusty Crowe State Senator (TN)
Milton Hamilton State Senator (TN)
Bill Keatron, Jr. County Commissioner, Rutherford County (TN)
Julia Hughes Jones State Auditor (AR)
Phil Wyrick State Representative (AR)
Luther Hardin Former State Senator (AR)
Betty Dickey Prosecuting Attorney, Pine Bluff (AR)
Betsy Gwin Sedgewick County Commissioner (KS)
Vince Cook City Councilman (KS)
Steven D. Wilson LaFourche Parish President (LA)
Louis "Woody" Jenkins State Representative, Baton Rouge (LA)
Tom Ed McHugh Mayor - Baton Rouge (LA)
John Womack Mayor - Zachary (LA)
Richard "Buddy" Wilson East Baton Rouge Councilman (LA)
Judge Jewel "Duke" Welch 19th Judicial District (LA)
Judge Rosemary Pillow Baton Rouge City Court (LA)
Judge Byron Stringer Baton Rouge City Court (LA)
Francis E. "Hank" Lauricella State Senator (LA)
Donald R. Kennard State Representative (LA)
John Lavarine City Councilman (LA)
Billy Tauzin U.S. Representative (LA)
Joesph Harrison VP Assumption Parish School Board (LA)
Mike Foster State Senator (LA)
Craig Romero State Senator (LA)
Lawrence Chehardy Assessor, Jefferson Parish (LA)
Don Higginbotham State Representative (LA)
Steve Theriot State Representative (LA)
Jimmy Hayes U.S. Congressman (LA)
Ed Roy President, Lafayette Parish (LA)
Thomas Greene State Senator, Marigold (LA)
Sam Caruso Mayor of Slidell (LA)
Dan Flavin State Representative (LA)
Mike Michot State Representative (LA)
Randall Harris DA, Curry County (NM)
Dana Hudgins Creek County Commissioner (OK)
Billie Fuller District Clerk (TX)
Chuck Miller Judge, Court of Crimminal Appeals (TX)
Billy Ray Stubblefield District Court Judge (TX)
Ken Anderson District Attorne (TX)
Melvin L. Harborth Gaudalupe County Sheriff (TX)
Judge David Puryear County Court at Law 6 (TX)
Judge John Creuzot Criminal District Court 4 (TX)
W. C. Kirkendal DA for the 25th District (TX)
Judge David Christian Justice of the Peace (TX)
Wayne DuBose Justice of the Peace (TX)
Judge James O. Mullin Judge of the 43rd Judicial District (TX)
Billy Faye Schumacher County Judge, Moore County (TX)
Jerrie Marie Howe County Commissioner (TX)
Bud O'Shieles County Commissioner (TX)
Judge Gary "Ike" Fredrickson Justice of the Peace (TX)
John Cole Constable of Precinct 4 (TX)
Dwight Peschel District Judge 25th (TX)
Warren D. Chisum State Representative (TX)
George J. Filley, III District Attorney (TX)
George A. Crowley District Court Judge (TX)
Linda Motheral District Court Judge (TX)
John Weeks District Court Judge (TX)
Charles R. Ramsay District Court Judge (TX)
Randy Catterton District Court Judge (TX)
Shelly P. Hancock County Court at Law Judge (TX)
R.L. McFarlin, Jr. Hansford County Sheriff (TX)
Joe Hataway Ochiltree County Sheriff (TX)
Billy V. Bowen Hemphill County Sheriff (TX)
Malcolm W. Purvis, Sr. Montgomery County Commissioner (TX)
David McBride County Commissioner (TX)
Molly Maness Justice of the Peace (TX)
Bill Bailey Harris County Constable (TX)
King Russell Constable (TX)
Jim Montgomery Constable (TX)
Jodie Raymond Pryor Galvestone Constable (TX)
Greg Laughlin U.S. Representative (TX)
Mike Holzapfel Sheriff, Hardin County (TX)
Billy Clemmens State Representative (TX)
Pete Gilfeather District Judge (TX)
Jess Howell Sheriff, Wharton County (TX)
J.D. Johnson County Commissioner, Tarrant County (TX)
Alex Gonzalez Judge, Court of Crimminal Appeals (TX)
Jack Kile County Commissioner, Ochiltree County (TX)
Randy Stubblefield Sheriff, Gray County (TX)
Marie Myers District Clerk, Austin County (TX)
Robert Vincent County Commissioner,Lapanses County (TX)
Travis Herring County Commissioner,Lapanses County (TX)
Don Amerson Constable, Hays County (TX)
John T. Boyd District Court of Appeals Judge, 7th District (TX)
Gladene Woodside Tax Assessor/Collector Hemphill County (TX)
Dennis Cadra District Attorney, Andrews County (TX)
Douglas Eberhart Commissioner, Erath County, Precinct 3 (TX)
Louis Fromme, Jr. Commissioner, Goliad County Precinct 3 (TX)
Janelle M. Haverkamp District Attorney, Cooke County (TX)
Raymond Reese County Attorney, DeWitt County (TX)
Sam Oatman District Attorney, 33rd District (TX)
Judge Joe Martin County Court lawplace 1 (TX)
John Sharp Gregg County Judge (TX)
Royce V. Pruit Sheriff (TX)
Neel Richardson Judge (TX)
Joe Martin Judge (TX)
James Blackstock Judge (TX)
Gary Geick Judge (TX)
John Mann District Attorney (TX)
C.H. 'Terry' McCall County Attorney (TX)
Joe Pollock Sheriff (TX)
Dewey Hollingsworth Judge (TX)
Bill Johnson Judge (TX)
Janet Parker County Clerk (TX)
Betty Pate District Clerk (TX)
Wilburn Bednar Judge (TX)
Marilee Jost Judge (TX)
Billy Kothmann Commissioner (TX)
C.E. "Gene" Short Grayson County Commissioner (TX)
Michael J. McCormick Presiding Judge of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals (TX)
Rene De Alejandro Mayor, Robstown (TX)
Bob Anderson Grayson County Constable (TX)
Bob Anderson Hood County Commissioner (TX)
Rudy J. Cunningham Llano County Justice of the Peace (TX)
Wilbert Frank, Jr. Austin County Commissioner (TX)
Bill Freeman Cooke County Justice of the Peace (TX)
Donald R. Hicks, Sr. Dallas City Councilman (TX)
Betty Sue Hoy Llano County Clerk (TX)
Jimmy B. Johnson Donley County Justice of the Peace (TX)
Jimmy Strube Glassclock County Commissioner (TX)
Fay Vargas Donely County Clerk (TX)
LeRoy Hoelscher Glasscock County Constable (TX)
Bascom William Bentley III District Judge (TX)
Hamilton Hicks, Mayor of Wilmington (NC)
Billy Vandiford, Pitt County Sheriff (NC)
George Kirkpatrick, State Senator (FL)
Doug Peterson, Mayor, Bemidji Minnesota
Jerry Mackie, State Senator (Alaska)
Nancy Lorraine Hoffman, NY State Senator
Elmer Milford, Navajo Nation Council Delegate
Rudy Bradley, FL State Representative
Philip Williams, FL Sheriff Brevard County
Price Wilson, City Councilman Chipley, Florida (400th ) up to 408 on 6/2/99
John Dimaio- Mayor, Hackettstown, NJ
Mike Helmig, Boone County Sheriff KY, 413th
Willie Mathis, Jr Commonwealth Attorney 54 Judicial District KY, 414th
Dan Seum, Kentucky State Senator (#415)



Influential Democrats, now Republican
Herman Badillo, elder statesman, first Hispanic Congressman (1970-78), the first Hispanic borough president (1965-69), deputy mayor (1978-79), candidate, unofficial mayoral adviser

 

www.rnc.org 5/9/99 Mike Collins "...Republican National Committee Chairman Jim Nicholson today welcomed Navajo Nation Council Delegate Elmer Milford to the Republican Party. Milford is the 391st elected Democrat and the first elected tribal official to switch to the Republican Party since Bill Clinton became president.... "My decision to become a Republican was actually very easy," said Council Delegate Milford. "Republicans are the natural fit for Indian country. They believe that problems should be solved at the local level by those closest to the problems. Indian country also believes in local solutions to local problems, as opposed to big government mandates that often hinder rather than help Indian country."..."

Tampa Tribune 4/15/99 Lesley Collins "...Six months ago, an ebullient Rudy Bradley raised clutched hands with gubernatorial victor Jeb Bush in a swirl of confetti. Today, the Democratic state representative from St. Petersburg will make that allegiance complete. Bradley intends to switch political parties - making him the sole black Republican in the 160-member state Legislature, and just the second since Reconstruction. ``There's no gain in this for me,'' said Bradley, who turns 53 on Sunday. ``I stand for the little man in the dog fight. I'm doing this so I can more effectively represent the people in my district.'' ....The sheriff of Brevard County, Philip Williams, also will announce his switch to the Republican Party as GOP officials gather for an annual fundraiser in Orlando this weekend. ..."

Conservative News Service 5/18/99 "...Sheriff Philip Williams of Brevard County, Florida is the latest in a growing list of Democratic official switching to the Republican Party. According to a press release from the Republican National Committee, Williams is the 393rd elected Democrat to abandon the party since Bill Clinton assumed the presidency. RNC chairman Jim Nicholson said: "Under the leadership of Gov. Jeb Bush, Florida is becoming fertile ground for the Republican Party." Williams announced his intention to join the GOP at an event last Saturday saying, "I am proud to be a member of the Republican Party." He also said: "Today marks the beginning of a new relationship based on consistent philosophy-protecting families, strengthening neighborhoods and building up communities." ...."

Reuters 6/1/99 "...Republicans Tuesday welcomed the 400th elected Democrat, an Afro-American city councilman from Florida, to join their ranks since the 1992 election of Democrats Clinton and Al Gore. "We are the party on the move," Republican National Committee Chairman Jim Nicholson declared in a telephone interview from Florida. Nicholson traveled south to celebrate a total of 13 elected Democrats from the Florida Panhandle joining the Republican Party with a seven-city bus tour. Overall, the 13 raised the number of party switchers to the Republican party to 408 since the election of Clinton as president and Gore as vice president...."

Republican National Committee 6/25/99 "...Republican National Committee Chairman Jim Nicholson today welcomed two more party switchers to the GOP. Boone County Sheriff Mike Helmig and Willie Mathis Jr., commonwealth attorney for the 54th Judicial District, both of Kentucky, today became the 413th and 414th elected Democrats to join the Republican Party since Bill Clinton was elected president...."

RNC website 7/12/99 "…Republican National Committee Chairman Jim Nicholson today welcomed Kentucky state Senator Dan Seum to the Republican Party. He is the 415th elected Democrat to join the GOP since Bill Clinton was elected President. …"