THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Jan. 3, 2004 12:00 AM
WASHINGTON - Texas Rep. Ralph Hall switched parties Friday night, filing for
re-election as a Republican after nearly a quarter-century as one of the most
conservative Democrats in Congress.
"I've always said that if being a Democrat hurt my district I would switch
or I would resign," Hall said in an interview with The Associated Press.
He said GOP leaders had recently refused to place money for his district in
a spending bill and "the only reason I was given was I was a Democrat."
In an interview in which he said he had filed to run as a Republican, he also
said he didn't agree with "all these guys running against the president."
Hall's switch follows a GOP-led drive - bitterly contested by Democrats - to
remake Texas' congressional districts more to their liking. Party strategists
contend they can gain five or more seats through a mid-decade redistricting,
a change that could greatly strengthen their grip on power in the House.
Before Hall's move, the House had 228 Republicans, 205 Democrats, one Democrat-leaning
Independent and one vacancy.
In addition to representing a personal change, Hall's defection had historic
overtones. His district in Texas includes territory once represented in Congress
by the late Sam Rayburn, who served as a Democratic speaker for much of the
time between 1940 and 1961.
House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas, called Hall, 80, Friday welcoming
him to the party.
"Democrats are reaping what they've sown," DeLay said. "Their
leaders have lined up behind Howard Dean's brand of angry, intolerant politics.
They've made their message clear: 'Moderates need not apply,' and that's a sad
trend for a once-great party."
President Bush also praised Hall.
"I welcome Congressman Ralph Hall to the Republican Party," Bush said.
"Ralph is a close friend of the Bush family. He is a well-respected leader
of the highest integrity, and a tireless advocate for the people of Texas."