VIDEO: Seven Elected Officials Switch Their Party Affiliation

ITAWAMBA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)-They’re officially done with the Democratic Party.

Seven Itawamba County officials formally switched their affiliation to the Republican Party on Thursday.

The newest additions to the party include: Itawamba County Sheriff Chris Dickinson, Itawamba County Coroner Shelia Summerford, Itawamba County Supervisors Charles Horn, Steve Moore, Steve Johnson, and Constables Doug Lesley, and Terry Johnson.

“The Republican Party is just a great party to be a part of,” said Itawamba County Coroner Shelia Summerford, one of the seven officials to change their party. “I knew it was the right decision. I knew that the Republican Party was the right decision to run. The morals, things they do, they beliefs they have, what they stand for. I mean what they stand for is things that I think everyone should stand for.”

Summerford said she’s always been a Republican.

However, when she ran for office last year, she had to run as a Democrat.

“At the time I wouldn’t have been able to vote for our sheriffs or supervisors or anyone there so I had to run on the Democratic Party, but I am so glad we finally changed,” she said.

Several high-ranking State Republicans made the trip to Itawamba County to welcome the members, including Governor Phil Bryant.

“I’ve made a lot of speeches on The Square, and this one may have been the most important one,” said Itawamba County Sheriff Chris Dickinson.

Dickinson did a lot of praying before making his decision.

The sheriff said he has certain views that differ from that of the Democratic Party, which led him to making this choice.

“I don’t have a lot of issues with the Democratic Party don’t get me wrong, but the criminal justice reform system that the Democratic Party is trying to implement concerns me, and that’s why I’m here today doing this,” the sheriff explained.

Dickinson said he knows this is a lifetime commitment, and although he’s switching parties, it won’t change the way he goes about doing his job.

“It just so happens that sometimes you have to plant your feet,” said Sheriff Dickinson. “I have that conviction, and I have planted my feet. I hope to continue serving the people of this counting the same way I’ve always done. Nothing is Going to change.”