Patterson, Henderson join Republican Party
The DA and coroner switch parties, citing personal values.
District Attorney Leigh Patterson and Floyd County Coroner Barry Henderson both officially joined the Floyd County Republican Party on Saturday morning.
“I have been thinking about this for about five years and I just decided that it was time to make it official,” said Patterson.
Patterson cited the National Democratic Party’s movement away from her personal values and beliefs as the main reason behind her decision to switch parties.
“I am just more conservative fiscally and I’m conservative about law enforcement, and I don’t like the way I see things moving in that direction nationally,”
said Patterson.
While Henderson also cited growing differences with the Democratic Party as a reason for the switch, he said he believes that the coroner’s position should be non-partisan and he considered
running as an independent. He decided that the Republican Party is more in line with his values as a bornagain Christian.
“I differ so much with the national Democratic party it had just come to a time where the change was necessary,” said Henderson.
Patterson said the change in party will have no effect on the way she performs her job and that her mission as an attorney hasn’t changed. She said that she always has and always will be focused on justice on Floyd County and she hopes she will be able to continue serving the citizens of Floyd County.
Patterson was first elected in 2002 and before that she served as an assistant district attorney for 12 years. Henderson was first appointed as coroner in 1999 and then was elected the following year.
Two other constitutional officers switched to the GOP earlier this year — Sheriff Tim Burkhalter and Clerk of Superior Court Barbara Penson.