May 24, 2013
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) -- Democratic state Sen. Jerry Fielding says any change of parties will be announced on his time table and not by the state Democratic Party chairman.
Fielding responded Tuesday to an announcement Monday by state Democratic Party Chairman Mark Kennedy. Kennedy said Fielding is planning to switch to the Republican Party.
Fielding said he's had several conversations with members of the Republican Party. He said an announcement could happen in the near future, but he's not ready to do it yet.
Fielding served 26 years as a Democratic judge in Talladega County before getting elected to the Senate in 2010. If he switches parties, the Senate will have 23 Republicans, 11 Democrats and 1 independent.
A new legislative redistricting plan adds Republican-leaning areas to Fielding's district for the 2014 elections.
