Newton said he made the decision to switch parties after much consideration because he believes it is best for his district, which currently includes all of Butler and Crenshaw counties and a portion of Conecuh County.
“I believe this decision will allow me to serve the citizens of House District 90 in the coming years, and it is one that I made with the interests of my constituents in mind.” Newton said in a statement. “Regardless of the party affiliation by my name, I promise to continue providing the same commonsense approach to the issues, the same strong respect for taxpayer dollars, and the same high ethical standards that I have given our area since first elected to the Legislature.”
As a state representative, Newton has long held a seat on the influential House Ways and Means General Fund Committee, which appropriates money to state agencies. He also sits on the House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee and the House Internal Affairs Committee.
House Minority Leader Craig Ford indicated that he doesn’t consider Newton switching parties to be a great loss for his caucus because he was already voting with Republicans on most issues.
“I have always considered Charles a friend and am sad — though not surprised — to learn that he has chosen to switch parties,” Ford said. “He has always voted with the Republicans, even when that meant voting against public education and voting against his constituents back home. But his district is a Democratic district, and we are confident that we will keep this seat.”
For the past 38 years, Newton has worked as a gasoline wholesaler with Newton Oil Company, a business that has been in his family for a half century. He currently serves as its president. His brother, Bill Newton, is currently the acting state finance director in the Bentley administration.
Follow Cliff on Twitter @Cliff_Sims
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