State Rep. Johnny Tadlock announced he is changing his political party affiliation from Democrat to Republican.

“This to me is not at all about party affiliation,” said Tadlock, from Idabel. “This is about representing the people who live in my district to the best of my ability and making sure their voice is heard at the state Capitol. To do this, I feel I would have better success in the majority party. I have not changed my beliefs. As a Democrat, I was endorsed by the National Rifle Association. I have always been pro-life. I have cared about safe and decent roads and bridges, public safety, free and fair public education and health care that reaches those in the rural communities. These are still the issues with which I will be concerned.”

Tadlock represents House District 1, which serves part of LeFlore and all of McCurtain counties in SE Oklahoma. He was first elected to serve in the Oklahoma House of Representatives in 2014. He has served on the following committees: Agriculture and Rural Development; County and Municipal Government; General Government Oversight and Accountability; Judiciary and the House Special Investigation Committee.

Minority Leader Emily Virgin, D-Norman, released the following statement on Tadlock’s decision to switch parties.

“Whether the legislator from House District 1 is a Republican or a Democrat, the Democratic Caucus is going to continue to fight for legislation that benefits towns like Broken Bow and Idabel,” Virgin said. “For the last decade, Republican policies from healthcare to education have been devastating to rural Oklahoma so while we don’t understand Rep. Tadlock’s decision, we wish him the best of luck.”