GOP takes control of Georgia Senate

ATLANTA - Four Democratic senators have switched parties in the week since Republican Sonny Perdue won the governor&#39;s race. <br> <br> That gives the GOP a 30-26 majority in the Senate. The latest to switch is Senator Jack Hill of Reidsville.<br> <br> Democratic leaders are concerned that their majority might shrink in the House, too. <br> <br> Tuesday, the Democratic caucus elected Representative Terry Coleman of Eastman as the choice to replace senate House Speaker Tom Murphy. <br> <br> Murphy was defeated last week after more than 40 years in office. Georgia Democrats pleaded with their colleagues in the state House to remain loyal to the party as they picked their leaders on the same day as the fourth Democratic state senator switched to the GOP. <br> <br> A new speaker wasn&#39;t the only difference at the caucus meeting. Traditionally Democrats have had a comfortable majority in the House, but Tuesday&#39;s meeting turned into a rally of sorts to convince conservatives not to jump ship. There are 106 Democrats and 73 Republicans in the newly elected House, with one independent. <br> <br> In the week since Republican Sonny Perdue won the governor&#39;s race, four Democratic senators have switched parties, giving the GOP a 30-26 majority. The latest is Senator Jack Hill of Reidsville. <br> <br> Democratic leaders are concerned that their majority might shrink in the House, too.