[fieldmarshaldj]

Because the local Republican Party in Eastern AR (especially SE AR) was weak to non-existent until the last few years. With his switch, he becomes the Southeasternmost Republican member of the AR House.

[adorno]

Because the local Republican Party in Eastern AR (especially SE AR) was weak to non-existent until the last few years.

Well, he could've been the trailblazer, and brought the republican party to the area. Regardless, how did he vote throughout the years he was a democrat? That's more telling than anything else.