Probate Judge Jim Perdue announced on Wednesday that he is joining the Republican Party.

“I am a lifelong conservative and I am proud of those values,” Perdue said. “I know that those are also the values of Crenshaw County and of most Alabamians.”

Perdue said that the Republican Party more closely aligns with his principles.

“I think this will be good for the county, and I look forward to joining,” he also said.

Perdue becomes the only elected official in Crenshaw County to be a member of the Republican Party.

He was re-elected to the post of Probate Judge as a Democrat in last November’s election.

“I am still the same person,” Perdue said. “I haven’t changed.  My views and opinions haven’t changed.  I needed to join the party that aligns with my core beliefs. I am proud to call myself a Republican.”

Several leaders of the Alabama GOP, including Gov. Robert Bentley, welcomed Perdue with a ceremony on the state house steps in Montgomery on Wednesday.

“I have met with Jim several times and I know that he has a servant’s heart and he wants what is best for his county and for this state,” Bentley said. “I think he will be a great addition to the Republican Party.”

Bill Armistead, Chairman of the Alabama Republican Party, also welcomed Perdue, who is the seventh Alabama Democrat to convert to the Republican Party in the last several months.

“I welcome Judge Perdue’s decision to join the Republican Party as it just reinforces the fact that today’s Democrats are not the same as your grandfather’s Democrat Party,” Armistead said. “As I have said many times before, we welcome elected officials of another party who believe in the traditional conservative values of the Republican Party.”

Suze Butts, Crenshaw County’s Republican Party Chairperson, praised Perdue’s decision to switch parties.

“Judge Jim Perdue joining the ever-growing majority ranks of the Alabama Republican Party is a welcome move,” she said. “The County Republican Party joins Alabama Governor Bentley and Alabama Republican Party Chairman Bill Armistead in thanking Judge Perdue for taking his stand with the Alabama Republican Party.”