[Tall_Texan]

From the article:

Hall has long been among the most conservative Democrats in Congress. Speculation that he might switch parties first surfaced in 1995, when the GOP gained control of the House for the first time in 40 years. He said then he wouldn't, arguing that it would be better to try and move the Democratic party toward the middle.

I guess he got tired of arguing as his party moved further and further to the left.

[furball4paws]

I lived in Texas during McGovern. Then everybody was a Democrat and all the mess was in the primaries. Because whatever Democrat emerged after the nominations was a shoo in. I voted Democrat in the primaries for that reason. The Reps were almost non-existent. Things have dramatically changed in the LSR and, although it has been many years, maybe you can teach an old dog new tricks. However, at 80, it may not be long before his district is Republican anyway.