Senator switches teams
By HME News Staff
Updated Mon April 27, 2009
HARRISBURG, Pa. - Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., will switch from the Republican to the Democratic party, he announced this morning.
Democrats currently hold 56 seats, Republicans have 41, with one seat vacant. The two Independents usually vote with the Democratic party.
Specter plans to maintain his moderate stance.
"My change in party affiliation does not mean that I will be a party-line voter any more for the Democrats that I have been for the Republicans," said Specter in a statement. "Whatever my party affiliation, I will continue to be guided by President Kennedy's statement that sometimes the party asks too much."
In March, Specter sent a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services, asking Acting Secretary Charles Johnson to rescind the competitive bidding rule.
He plans to run in 2010 as a Democrat.
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