Freshman Congressman Parker Griffith of Huntsville is expected today to announce that he is leaving the Democratic Party to become a Republican. The 67-year old Griffith was elected in 2008, replacing Bud Cramer of Huntsville, in what appeared to be a preservation of a Democratic stronghold in that part of the state. Griffith is/was a member of the Blue Dog Democrats, who are conservative Democrats that do not support abortion, gay marriages or gun control.

The Hill Newspaper reports on its website that an Alabama Republican Party Source confirmed that Griffith will announce the party switch at 1 p.m. The Hill goes on to report that GOP lawmakers in the Alabama delegation, including Congressman Robert Aderholt, began wooing Griffith weeks ago.