Escambia County Commissioner Raymond Wiggins has announced he will be switching from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party as he eyes a re-election for his District 2 seat in the 2020 election cycle.
Wiggins was elected as a Democrat in 2008 and re-elected on the Democratic ticket in 2012 and 2016.
Wiggins said he made the decision to switch political parties based on what's going on on the national level and not anything to do with the local Democratic Party.
“The party has changed, especially on the national level, and I felt it was time for me to make the change to a party I'm more in line with personally and professionally. I didn't leave the Democratic Party, the Democratic Party left me.”
“I still pledge to be a commissioner for all the people in my district and across the county,” he said. “I think I have shown that I want to work for what's better for the people of Escambia County during my years on the commission.”
Jackie Gay, chairman of the Escambia County Republican Party, said the county's executive committee welcomed Wiggins to join the GOP.
“We look forward to working with Mr. Wiggins as we continue to advance conservative policies and principles,” Gay said. “Mr. Wiggins is a man of integrity who displays professionalism in his office and is actively involved in community service. We are happy to have him on our team as we work together to uphold the values we share.”
