District Attorney Jeremy Duerr of the 5th Judicial Circuit switched from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party at the Tallapoosa County Republican Party’s quarterly meeting in Alexander City, the ALGOP announced this week.

Alabama’s 5th Judicial Circuit is comprised of Tallapoosa, Chambers, Macon and Randolph Counties.

“District Attorney Duerr contacted me several months ago expressing his interest to become a member of the Republican Party citing several changes in the values of the Democrat Party which did not align with his conservative Christian values,” explained Tallapoosa GOP Chairman Terry Martin in a release.

“He gave a moving speech to the Executive Committee as he shared his views stating that the attacks from the Democrat Party regarding the defunding of police were in direct conflict with him being the top law enforcement official in the Fifth Judicial Circuit,” Martin continued. “Following a brief discussion, DA Duerr was voted into the party by the Tallapoosa County Republican Party per the ALGOP governing bylaws.”

Alabama Republican Party Chairman Terry Lathan welcomed Duerr into the Alabama Republican Party.

“We are honored to have DA Duerr as our newest member of the Grand Old Party. There’s a reason 66% of partisan elected offices in Alabama are held by Republicans. The Democrat party leaders and platform are too far out of the mainstream for Alabamians,” she stated. “He now joins 69% of the District Attorneys in Alabama as a Republican. We look forward to working with Mr. Duerr.”

This continues a line of local officials switching to the ALGOP, including Escambia County Probate Judge Doug Agerton earlier this month.

Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn