From submitted reports
The Star-Herald
KOSCIUSKO —
State Representative Jason White, of West, became a Republican on December 11 and formally announced the change during a news conference held at the State Capitol. He was welcomed by the Mississippi Republican Party.
“I am a conservative; I’ve never hidden that fact,” White said. “I don’t hide my conservative views now, and I didn’t hide them when I ran in 2011. I look forward to continuing my work in the House as a Republican.”
With this switch, White becomes the 65th Republican member of the House of Representatives.
“I would like to welcome Rep. Jason White to the Republican Party,” Mississippi Republican Party Chairman Joe Nosef said. “In Mississippi you have a choice – you can either be a conservative or a Democrat – but you can't be both anymore. Since his election, Rep. White has been a strong conservative voice in the state legislature.”
Gov. Phil Bryant and Speaker Philip Gunn were thrilled for White to join the ranks as a Republican.
“While Washington slides further to the left, Mississippians remain true to the conservative values and free market principles that have made America great,” Bryant said. “Jason’s switch to the Republican Party is just one more example of how the national Democratic Party is out of touch with the citizens of this state.”
“We are proud to have Jason White in our ranks,” Gunn said. “The truth about Jason is that his voting record will not change this coming session. He remains consistent in his philosophy, and I know he will continue to do great things for Mississippi.”
Some state Democrats were shocked by the change while others were not..
“I got to know Jason as a candidate in 2011 when he asked for help from Democrats. We were happy to help because we believed he shared our values and wanted to come to Jackson to work for Mississippi’s working families,” Bobby Moak, House Democratic Caucus leader, said in an issued statement. “Unfortunately, he’s spent the past year in total service to Republican leadership and out-of-state corporate interests. I’m sure his constituents are just as confused by his switch as we are. We wish him well and hope he has found a home.”
In response to the announcement of Rep. Jason White's party switch, Mississippi Democratic Party Chairman Rickey Cole said, "The news comes as no surprise to the Democratic Party. Mr. White's true political allegiance was the worst kept secret in Jackson.
“In their redistricting plan, the Republicans were kind enough to put Mr. White into a district with a Democrat,” Cole said. “His decision to switch parties makes our mission in 2015 crystal clear: We shall defeat Jason White."
Nosef , Bryant, and Gunn were in attendance for the announcement along with Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves, Secretary Delbert Hosemann, Auditor Stacey Pickering, and members of the state legislature.
White was first elected in 2011 and serves as the vice-chairman of the Constitution committee in the House.
