28 Facts About Parker Griffith

Parker Griffith ran for re-election in 2010 but was defeated in the Republican primary by Mo Brooks.

Parker Griffith later returned to the Democratic Party in 2014 and unsuccessfully ran for Governor of Alabama that year.

Parker Griffith received his medical degree from the Louisiana State University Medical School in 1970 and served in residency at the University of Texas M D Anderson Cancer Center.

Parker Griffith served as a Medical Corps captain in the US Army Reserve from 1970 to 1973, while continuing his medical training at the LSU Service Charity Hospital in New Orleans.

Parker Griffith was recruited on a "cold call" to Alabama and established the Huntsville Cancer Treatment Center.

Parker Griffith conducted several clinical trials in conjunction with the University of Alabama School of Medicine, and partnered with St Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.

Parker Griffith retired from medicine in December 1992, though he still holds a license to practice in both Alabama and Texas.

Parker Griffith unsuccessfully ran for mayor of Huntsville against the three-term incumbent, Loretta Spencer in 2004.

Parker Griffith then won a seat in the Alabama State Senate, representing the 7th district.

On March 22,2008 Parker Griffith announced that he would run for the open seat in the 5th District.

Parker Griffith had sought this seat unsuccessfully twice before, in 1994 and 1996, losing both times to Bud Cramer.

Parker Griffith carried all but one of the district's seven counties.

Parker Griffith ran for re-election to the US House of Representatives as a Republican in 2010, but was defeated in the June 1 Republican primary by Madison County Commissioner Mo Brooks.

Parker Griffith has stated that he leans conservative on a variety of issues, though not all.

Parker Griffith states he is a fiscal conservative who has called repeatedly for reducing the national debt.

Parker Griffith is a strong supporter of NASA and America's dominance in space.

Parker Griffith voted against the Affordable Health Care for America Act, cap-and-trade legislation and the 2009 economic stimulus act.

Parker Griffith was a member of the Blue Dog Coalition, but on December 22,2009, he announced he would become a Republican.

Parker Griffith cited the health care bill as a major reason for his switch, and he had clashed with the Democrats over fiscal and foreign policy.

Parker Griffith opposed the White House's decision to cancel a missile defense shield in Europe, which could have contributed to Huntsville's defense industry.

Parker Griffith's switch is the first time a member of Congress switched from the majority party to the minority party since New York Representative Michael Forbes' switch from Republican to Democrat in 1999.

Shortly after switching parties, Parker Griffith joined the Republican Study Committee, a caucus of conservative House Republicans.

Parker Griffith ran for Governor of Alabama in the 2014 election.

Parker Griffith returned to the Democratic Party in February 2014, with the State Party voting to reinstate him.

Parker Griffith was successful in obtaining the party's nomination but lost decisively to the incumbent, Robert J Bentley, in the general election.

Murphy alleged that Parker Griffith had threatened to "whip [Murphy's] ass".

Durant's campaign responded with a statement calling on Britt to denounce Parker Griffith's comments, calling Parker Griffith's remarks "a slanderous attack on all veterans".

Parker Griffith co-founded the Griffith Family Foundation, which awards cash grants to elementary school libraries in northern Alabama.