You are absolutely right-and I expect more elected officials from the South to switch to the Republican party
for the very reason you mentioned. I think the switch today is great news.
I think we saw a bit of this in 1972 as well.
Apparently the problem with party switchers in the South is not in Congress but in the county races. It is said that Lubbock County became Republican overnight from switchers, but many are not that conservative once in office. Several parish Republican officials in LA lined up early with Mary Landrieu.