Blue to Red

Posted on 16. May, 2009 by Jennifer Read in SC Politics

State Rep. Dennis Moss (formerly D-Gaffney) is now a proud member of the Grand Old Party.

With House Speaker Bobby Harrell and SCGOP Chairman Katon Dawson by his side, the District 29 Rep announced Friday that he is switching to the Republican Party.

“This was not an easy decision,” Moss told the crowd. “But as my State House voting record indicates, I find myself serving with and siding with Republicans on the issues important to my constituents.”

The Cherokee County legislator said he is joining the SCGOP because he feels that state and national Democrats no longer represent his conservative values on issues such as same-sex marriage, abortion, and gun ownership.

“[I]n the words of Ronald Reagan many years ago,” Moss concluded, “‘I did not leave the Democratic Party, the Democratic Party left me.’”

Moss’ decision to swap teams was likely influenced by the recent election of Republican Steve Moss (no relation to Dennis), who won the neighboring House District 30 seat formerly held by the late Democratic Rep. Olin Phillips. Both districts have been trending Republican for many years and Moss would have likely faced another tough GOP challenger in 2010.

For those of you keeping score at home, Moss’ defection and last month’s HD 30 special election bumps the GOP’s majority in the House back up to pre-election ‘08 levels – a commanding 73 to 51 seats.

*Special thanks to Brian Frank for sending us the above video of Moss’ announcement.

*Seeing Red – read the SCDP’s response to Moss’ switch below the break.

SCDP Chair Responds to Moss Party Switch

COLUMBIA, SC- South Carolina Democratic Party Chair Carol Fowler released the following statement today in response to House District 29 Rep. Dennis Moss’s decision to join the Republican Party.

“Dennis Moss has always told me that he was afraid of being beaten by a Republican. I’m sure it’s been hard for him to function as a legislator when he was more concerned about his own re-election than about serving the people who voted for him. His action today means he will have to compete in a primary next year against a real Republican. We look forward to defeating the winner of that primary with a strong Democratic candidate who earns the trust and votes of the people of House District 29,” said Fowler.

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