AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — State Rep. Chuck Hopson says he's leaving the Democratic Party and becoming a Republican.
Hopson says President Barack Obama and Democrats in Congress don't reflect the conservative values of his East Texas district.
Hopson, in a phone interview from Jacksonville, said Friday that more than 70 percent of voters in his district voted for Republican John McCain in the 2008 presidential election.
The decision is tough blow for the Texas Democratic Party. The split in the Texas House of Representatives was a narrow 76-74 in favor of the GOP.
State Democratic Party chairman Boyd Richie said he's disappointed with Hopson, but said he's still confident Democrats will gain control of the House with next year's election.
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