Free Republic

Democrat State Rep changes to Republican Iowa Rep. Douglas Struyk announced he would change his party affiliation from Democrat to Republican today, and run for re-election to his Council Bluffs district. Struyk, who is completing his first term, announced the switch Thursday evening. "My priorities have not changed. They continue to be children, education and economic growth," he said in a release. Democrats were unaware that Struyk had made the decision at the time of the announcement. The change gives Republicans a 54-46 majority in the House.

Council Bluffs Representative Is Democrat No More POSTED: 11:11 am CST March 19, 2004 UPDATED: 11:16 am CST March 19, 2004 DES MOINES, Iowa -- A House Democrat has switched parties, boosting the Republican majority to 54-46 in an election year during which Democrats had hoped to gain seats. Friday is the deadline for lawmakers to file papers to run for re-election and Rep. Doug Struyk, of Council Bluffs, announced in a news release that he intends to switch parties and run as a Republican. Struyk said the change is necessary to maintain his independence. He said his priorities...