AUSTIN – State Rep. Chuck Hopson says he's leaving the Democratic Party and becoming a Republican.

Hopson says President Barack Obama and Democrats in Congress don't reflect the conservative values of his East Texas district.

Hopson, in a telephone interview from Jacksonville, said Friday that more than 70 percent of voters in his district voted for Republican John McCain in the 2008 presidential election.

The decision is a blow for the Texas Democratic Party. The split in the Texas House was a narrow 76-74 in favor of the GOP.

State Democratic Party chairman Boyd Richie said that he's disappointed but still confident Democrats will gain control of the House with next year's election.