County Commissioner Curtis Adams, a lifelong Democrat, became a Republican on Saturday morning.

Commissioner Adams announced at a meeting of the Hamilton County GOP at the Convention Center that he was making the switch.

He was introduced by new Party Chairman Bobby Wood, who said many Democrats feel their party "has left them behind and is off track."

Commissioner Adams got a standing ovation from the large Republican crowd, including Congressman Zach Wamp. Commissioner Adams said Rep. Wamp helped him when he started out in politics "before I knew who Zach Wamp was."

Commissioner Adams said his close Republican friends, including Commission Chairman Fred Skillern, have long been urging him to make the move.

The development shifts the Republican majority on the commission from 5-4 to 6-3.

Other Republicans are Bill Hullander, Richard Casavant, Larry Henry and Charlotte Vandergriff.

The lone Democrats are William Cotton, Lou Miller and Greg Beck.

Commissioner Adams said:

I am so proud to be here today, with my family and in the presence of so many of my friends. And, I am honored today to have the opportunity to make an announcement that I have thought about for a long time and the perfect time is here on the day one of my political heroes takes over the helm as Chairman of the Hamilton County Republican Party. No one is respected more than Bobby Wood. Six weeks ago I honored Bobby and declared him a “Christian Statesman.” So today I am making an announcement that I am joining with Bobby and the Republican Party and doing so, not ashamed or afraid to take the risk, but doing so 17 months before the next election and at that time, in August, 2006, I will be asking for those that have elected me in five (5) past elections to return me to the Hamilton County Commission, a job I love.

I am proud of my record on the Hamilton County Commission. I have voted for every progressive move in this County. I am proud of my record for supporting the schools by voting for 136 million new operating dollars and 193 million dollars in new schools and additions. This past year as Chairman of the Commission I did not support a tax increase for schools because I am concerned about the direction our schools are going. For several years I have been honored for perfect attendance at all meetings, missing only four meetings in 17 years.

In 1988 as I discussed the possibility of running with my wonderful friend, Roy McDonald, a lifelong Republican and the publisher of a well known newspaper with a reputation of supporting Republicans, gave me his blessing and support with his statement, “Son, since this district has been represented by a Democrat I suspect you should do the same.”

He supported me 100% and was proud I was a Hamilton County Commissioner. Many times he would call me to his office when he had visitors and proudly tell them I served on the Hamilton County Commission.

When I was elected to the Commission in 1988 we had Democrats Al Gore and Jim Sasser in the Senate; Marilyn Lloyd was our Congress Lady, and Paul Starnes was my State Representative. We had a Democrat County Executive, Sheriff, County Trustee, County Registrar, Criminal Court Clerk, Juvenile Court Judge, and four Democratic judges. We also had the majority on the Hamilton County Commission. Today, we have 15 less Democrats.

And, sometime today Governor Dean will be elected as National Chairman of the Democratic Party; this is another move to take the Democratic Party down. A few weeks ago Dean made the statement “I HATE REPUBLICANS.” That’s a strange thing to say to 53% of this country. That’s as strange to me as him favoring same-sex marriages. Zell Miller would have been my choice.

For almost 18 years in office as a Democrat I believed in what they were – not what it is today. The Republican Party is a party of conviction, a party of change. Not sold out to or locked in by radical groups like the ACLU, the homosexual lobby, or radical pro-choice forces. It is a party responding to and protecting family beliefs and values rather than the “Hollywood Agenda.” The Republicans are a party that believes in our country and not ashamed to say ONE NATION UNDER GOD.

That’s why today I am proud to say I join with my family and say we are Republicans. Their values, goals and beliefs are mine. My goal is to be a giver, not a taker, working hard with Bobby to make a great party even greater.