2 northeast Alabama officials switch, become Republicans

Monday, June 10, 2013

FORT PAYNE, Ala. - Two officials serving DeKalb and Cherokee counties, District Attorney Mike O'Dell and Circuit Judge Jeremy Taylor, have switched to the Republican Party.

O'Dell and Taylor announced their departure from the Democratic Party today. O'Dell says the Democratic Party has become too liberal for him. Taylor says the party's platforms, particularly on economic issues, helped him make up his mind.

Taylor has been a judge since 2011. O'Dell has been district attorney since 1996. He is a past president of the Alabama District Attorneys Association and helped the Legislature write several laws cracking down on methamphetamine production and distribution.