East Texas

(AP) -- State Rep. Chuck Hopson says he's leaving the Democratic Party and becoming a Republican.

Hopson says President Barack Obama and Democrats in Congress don't reflect the conservative values of his East Texas district.

Hopson, in a phone interview from Jacksonville, said Friday that more than 70 percent of voters in his district voted for Republican John McCain in the 2008 presidential election.

The decision is tough blow for the Texas Democratic Party. The split in the Texas House of Representatives was a narrow 76-74 in favor of the GOP.

State Democratic Party chairman Boyd Richie said he's disappointed with Hopson, but said he's still confident Democrats will gain control of the House with next year's election.

UPDATE: Officials ID Owner Of Submerged Plane   02/09/12
Whitehouse Woman Gets 25 Years For Injury To Child   02/10/12
Divers Comb Lake Palestine For Plane, Missing Pilot   02/10/12
Man Hit By Car While Crossing Loop   02/10/12
UPDATE: Sunken Plane Secured, Pilot Still Missing   02/10/12
Fourth Total Healthcare CEO Quits   02/10/12
Man Hospitalized After Being Hit By Truck   02/09/12
Deputy Constable Saves Man's Life   02/09/12
Gilmer Man Indicted For Manslaughter In Fatal Wreck   02/09/12
Gilmer Man, 19, Indicted On Manslaughter Charges   02/10/12
Whitehouse Teacher Proposes During Basketball Halftime   02/09/12
Wanted Mexican Ex-Official Arrested In Tyler, Later Released   02/09/12
Chandler Unveils ‘User-Friendly' Website   02/10/12
Tyler, Whitehouse Settle Boundary Dispute   02/09/12
Bergfeld Files For Tyler ISD District 7 Spot   02/09/12
Smith County Sheriff Candidates Answer Questions From TJC's Students   02/10/12
Smith County Man Guilty in Social Security Fraud Scheme   02/10/12
Cowan Center Announces Star Award Recipients   02/10/12
Woman, 18, Recovering After Choking, Stomping Incident   02/10/12
Special Prosecutor To Head Up Henderson County Investigation   02/09/12