Lawrence County Commissioners DeAnna Holliday has switched from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party.

She filed the paperwork with the Lawrence County Board of Elections on Monday.

Holliday said she switched parties because the values of the Democratic Party had changed over the years.

“I grew up in the 80s in a blue collar, union home. Since then, as with so many things in life, Democrat and Republican values have changed. My values have not changed,” she said. “I do not support the Democratic views on many things, two of the biggest being abortion and the 2nd amendment. Therefore, I filed the appropriate paperwork to align myself with the party that better represents my core beliefs — the Republican Party.”

She said that switching political parties does not change how she will approach her job.

“The commissioner that served you last week is the same commissioner serving you today,” Holliday said. “I will continue to fight for everything that is good for Lawrence County and all that moves us forward.”

Jason Stephens, chairman of the Lawrence County Republican Party and county auditor, said the party welcomes Holliday to the GOP.

“Commissioner Holliday does an excellent job as commissioner and the Republican Party welcomes her as we would anyone where their values line up with ours,” he said.

He added that, as a former commissioner himself, he doesn’t think the switch will change much when it comes to the office.

“I don’t think it will change anything when it comes to doing her job,” Stephens said. “When I was commissioner, I worked with Democrats and Republicans and, as commissioner, it really isn’t that big of a factor. You worried more about what is good for Lawrence County. All three of our commissioners do that now. We have a really good group of commissioners and I think they will continue to do their best.”

Holliday served on the Dawson-Bryant school board from 2008-2015 before being elected to county commission as a Democrat in the 2016 election.

Holliday and her husband have a gas, oil and diesel distribution company as well as a gas station, Holliday’s Quick Stop, in Coal Grove.

Holliday is only the second female Lawrence County commissioner, following Karen Simmons, who served a four-year term during the 1990s.