On a map of Georgia House districts, Barbara Massey Reece's district looks like a blue pen that leaked on a red Georgia Bulldog jersey.
But the longtime Democrat said she is not budging from her party even as others jump ship.
Democrats lost seats in the Georgia House and in Congress in the Nov. 2 election. Shortly thereafter three Democrats, including Northeast Georgia Rep. Alan Powell, from Hartwell, switched to the Republican Party.
Now Reece, of Menlo, and her southern neighbor Rep. Rick Crawford, of Cedartown, are the only North Georgia Democrats in the House outside metro Atlanta.
Reece, who represents Chattooga County and part of Floyd County, said she was not surprised the others switched "since the tide has changed," but said she is staying put.
"I am and continue to be the same person that I have always been. I am a conservative Democrat," Reece said.
Attempts to reach Crawford, who represents Polk County and parts of Floyd County, were unsuccessful.
Earlier this week, Reps. Ellis Black and Amy Carter, both D-Valdosta, told the Valdosta Daily Times they are considering switching from the Democratic to the Republican Party.
"We're having some talks, yes," Black told the paper.
Carter said she was seeking opinions from her constituents. She told the newspaper she is "troubled by the recent direction" the Democrats have taken, and said the party has "become disconnected from rural Georgia."
Carter and Black could be added to the list of defectors that already includes Powell, Bob Hanner and Gerald Greene, both from South Georgia. The roster for the Georgia House now includes 68 Democrats and 111 Republicans.
Dalton State political science professor Ken Ellinger said "there's really nothing new about party switching," mentioning that even Georgia's Republican Gov.-elect Nathan Deal once was a Democrat.
Deal was elected to Congress in 1992 as a Democrat. After Republicans took over the U.S. House in 1994, Deal switched parties in early 1995.
Legislators usually say that joining the majority party will make them more effective, but Ellinger said most candidates do it for their political survival.
Reece said redistricting is probably a major reason Democrats are switching parties. She said a Republican-led House would likely draw new districts to squeeze out a few Democrats.
But Reece, who was first elected in 1998, said Chattooga County has leaned toward Democrats "forever."
Chattooga voters make up the majority of Reece's constituency. They provided Roy Barnes, the Democratic candidate for governor, with his highest percentage of votes in Northwest Georgia. Barnes garnered percentages in the teens and 20s in many North Georgia counties, but drew 33 percent in Chattooga.
"I can serve the people of my district and still be a Democrat," Reece said.
Contact staff writer Andy Johns at ajohns@timesfree press.com or call 423-757-6324.