Democrat-Turned-Republican Congressman's Staff Resigns En Masse

The entire legislative staff and communications team for Rep. Parker Griffith along with "nearly every" other member of his Congressional office resigned Monday, calling Griffith's late December party switch a mistake, according to former staff members.

Griffith's former chief of staff, Sharon Wheeler, said that his district had benefitted in the past from a long line of conservative Democrats and accused Griffith of abandoning their legacy.

"I appreciate Congressman Griffith's being a very dedicated congressman," Wheeler said. "But we believe he made a mistake - a well-intentioned but misguided mistake that is not in the interest of the great people of North Alabama who elected him a year ago as a Democrat."

Wheeler added that although the staff was committed to the citizens of Alabama's fifth district, they could not in good conscience continue to work for Griffith.

"It is with deep sadness that we leave our work for the Fifth District," Wheeler said. "But because we are unwavering in our own principles, we have no choice but to move on."