State Sen. Dan Lee of LaGrange said his switch to the Republican party was ideological, not for political gain.
``My change to the Republican party was a matter of political philosophy and that alone,'' Lee said. ``I did it because the Democrat party does not represent my political point of view or those of the people of Georgia. Nor do the Democrats intend to change.''
Thirty Democrats and 26 Republicans were elected to the Senate on Nov. 5, leaving Democrats in power as they had been since Reconstruction.
But after Sonny Perdue, a Republican, won the governor's race, he talked four Democrats Lee, Don Cheeks of Augusta, Jack Hill of Reidsville and Rooney Bowen of Cordele into switching parties. The change left Republicans with a 30-26 majority, one more than the 29 needed to pass a bill in the Legislature.
Perdue appointed Lee and Sen. Bill Stephens of Canton to lead the floor in the Senate.
Lee said Perdue offered him the post even before it became clear during the election that he would defeat Democratic Gov. Roy Barnes.
``The governor-elect called me early that night and told me he wanted me to be his floor leader regardless of what party I belonged to, and I accepted his offer. I did not seek it in any way,'' Lee said. ``There was no deal cut between us. I am not getting any additional benefit from joining the Republican Party since the floor leader position was mine already.''
Cheeks and Lee, who made no secret of wanting to take advantage of the party change both for themselves and their constituents, had no Republican opposition in the election.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2002/12/186582