This is a growing phenomenon! Previously I posted a story about 11 defections to the GOP.

In the past couple of weeks, at least 11 Democratic state legislators have switched sides — one in South Dakota, one in Maine, , one in Louisiana, two in Georgia, and four in Alabama. In Louisiana, the switch gives Republicans control of one house of the government for the first time since Reconstruction; in Alabama, the Republicans control both houses for the first time since 1874.

Read more: RPT Gains and Defections

Now this. Here is the first recent story from Libertarian Republican:

And then there’s this breaking news from the Statesman:

Democratic Rep. Aaron Peña of Edinburg hinted Saturday about making the switch to the GOP.

Reading between the lines, or more accurately the Tweats, leads one to the conclusion that it’s much more than a “hint.” From Peña who is on vacation outside of the State:

“Hard not to notice the stir back in Texas. Change is always difficult.”

The south Texas Rep. is described as one of the last remaining “conservative” Democrats, and is a close ally of Republican Speaker Joe Strauss.

…(read more)…

Gateway Pundit has news on more Dem-to-GOP switches:

Texas Democrat Allan Ritter told associates he is switching parties next week. The move will give Republicans a super-majority in the Texas chamber.

Texas Tribune reported, via Free Republic:

State Rep. Allan Ritter, D-Nederland, is telling associates he will switch to the Republican Party next week. Ritter was not immediately available for comment.

That would give the GOP a 100-member supermajority in the Legislature’s lower chamber — a number that allows them to pass constitutional amendments and other matters without seeking support from the Democrats.

…(read more)…

This news comes from Libertarian Republican:

….From the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, “Two black Democrats bolt party for GOP”

Two African-American Democrats [Actually three] on Thursday announced that they were joining the Republican Party.

Hall County Commissioner Ashley Bell and former state executive committee member Andre Walker said the Democratic Party had grown too liberal and they are finding a new home with the Republicans.

Bell was introduced as a Republican at a news conference Thursday at party headquarters.

“My district is pretty Republican as it is,” Bell told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “My wife and I have been thinking about this for six months.”

[….]

Walker is publisher of the highly popular Georgia politica blog Georgia Unfiltered. The blog reports:

His wife, Lauren, who is also politically active, will join Ashley in the Republican Party.

Significantly, as the Gainseville Times points out, Lauren Bell was a Barack Obama delegate to the 2008 Democrat National Convention.

…(read more)…