State Rep. Mike Holcomb says he's switching to the Republican Party, the first Arkansas legislator to leave the Democratic Party since Republicans swept statewide offices in November.
The two-term lawmaker from Pine Bluff announced the switch at a news conference Thursday at the state Republican Party headquarters with Gov. Asa Hutchinson. Holcomb, a former Jefferson County judge, was elected to the Legislature in 2012 and won re-election last year.
Republicans hold a majority in the state House and Senate. Holcomb's switch gives the party 64 of the 100 seats in the House. Holcomb plans to seek re-election next year as a Republican.
