Parker Griffith | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Alabama's 5th district | |
| In office January 3, 2009 – January 3, 2011 | |
| Preceded by | Bud Cramer |
| Succeeded by | Mo Brooks |
| Member of the Alabama Senate from the 7th district | |
| In office November 8, 2006 – January 3, 2009 | |
| Preceded by | Jeff Enfinger |
| Succeeded by | Paul Sanford |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 6, 1942 Shreveport, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic (before 2009, 2014–present) |
| Other political affiliations | Republican (2009–2013) Independent (2013–2014) |
| Spouse | Virginia Griffith |
| Children | 5 |
| Education | Louisiana State University (BS) Louisiana State University, New Orleans (MD) |
Rolf Parker Griffith Jr. (born August 6, 1942) is a retired American physician, entrepreneur and politician who served in the Alabama State Senate from 2006 to 2008 and then as the U.S. representative for Alabama's 5th congressional district from 2009 to 2011.
A lifelong member of the Democratic Party, while serving in Congress, at the urging of Republicans he switched parties on December 22, 2009.[1][2][3] He ran for re-election in 2010 but was defeated in the Republican primary by Mo Brooks. Griffith ran against Brooks in a rematch in 2012 but was defeated by a larger margin. He later returned to the Democratic Party in 2014 and unsuccessfully ran for Governor of Alabama that year.[4]
- ^ Kraushaar, Josh (December 22, 2009). "House Dem blames leaders for party switch". The Politico. Retrieved December 22, 2009.
- ^ "House Dem to switch to Republican". CNN. December 22, 2009. Archived from the original on December 29, 2009. Retrieved December 22, 2009.
Sources confirm to CNN that Democratic Rep. Parker Griffith will announce Tuesday that he's switching parties and will run for re-election next year as a Republican.
- ^ Schouten, Fredreka (December 22, 2009). "Officials: House Democrat will switch to GOP". USA Today. Retrieved December 22, 2009.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Senior House aides say freshman Democratic lawmaker Parker Griffith of Alabama is switching to the Republican Party
- ^ "Parker Griffith talks about party switch, returns as a Democrat to run for governor". AL.com. March 29, 2014. Retrieved December 14, 2019.