Local News
Royal chooses change
Veteran Democrat to seek re-election as Republican
mocrat for more than two decades, but Thursday the veteran lawmaker switched to the Republican Party after much soul seeking.
Royal told The Observer Friday he made his announcement to an approving crowd at the Rotary Club in Camilla, evidenced by a standing ovation.
“For the past year and four months, I have been a member of the minority party in the state House of Representatives. One challenge of serving in the minority is the ability to accomplish what the citizens of District 171 elected me to do,” Royal said. “While I have maximized opportunities offered me by the new leadership of the House, it has resulted in limited success. I currently serve on significant committees: Appropriations, Natural Resources and Ways and Means. These are some of the most sought-after committees by the 180 members of the House and I am thankful to participate at a high level due to 20 years of service and the institutional knowledge that I bring to the table.
“However, to state the obvious, the political environment has changed drastically since I first came to Atlanta in 1986. Being in the minority has severely restrained my ability to represent my constituency. I am a proactive person and will never be content to serve a passive role in the Legislature. As qualifying week approaches, I am faced with a decision — how I can best serve the citizens of Mitchell and Colquitt counties? The answer is obvious: To be an effective representative of the people and fulfill their expectations, I must be a member of the majority party. It is my intention to qualify as a Republican candidate for House District 171.”
Royal pointed out that 58 percent of the district voted for President Bush and 59 percent for Sen. Johnny Isakson in the last election.
“I’ve been around talking to all my elected officials and without exception, they say we trust your judgment and we’ll support you on either side. These were mostly Democratic officials,” he said.
Royal isn’t alone. The Associated Press reported Friday that Rep. Butch Parrish of Swainsboro announced his switch to the Republican Party as well. Parrish is in his 11th year in the Legislature and represents a district in central Georgia.
The defections further cements the GOP’s hold on the Legislature, AP said. Royal and Parrish are the 15th and 16th legislators to join the Republican Party since Gov. Sonny Perdue was elected in 2002.
Georgia Republican Party Chairman Alec Poitevint told AP the pair “bring a tremendous amount of experience to our party.”
“I am pleased to welcome them to the Republican Party, the fastest growing family in Georgia,” he said.
House Speaker Glenn Richardson told AP that “both men exemplify the common sense, conservative values of the Republican Party and it is my honor to welcome them to our caucus.”
In addition, Democratic Rep. Mickey Channell, of Greensboro, announced last week that he also was joining the GOP, AP said.
The House will now have 103 Republicans, 76 Democrats and one Independent.
Switching parties after the fact as two of Colquitt County’s state representatives have done in the past is not Royal’s style, he said.
“That verges a little bit on fraud, and I don’t believe in that. I chose to do it at qualifying, so if they want to take their shots at me, they can take them,” he said.
“I always strive to make a difference for the people I represent. This will not change as I pursue your best interests and work towards improving quality of life as your state representative,” Royal said to his constituency.
