HUNTSVILLE, AL—
Congressman Parker Griffith said voters made their choice on Tuesday, and it was clear he wasn't it. He spoke candidly about his loss in Tuesday's Republican primary for the District 5 Congressional seat. Mo Brooks won the race with 51 percent of the vote.We'll have video of Rep. Griffith's news conference posted shortly.
Griffith, a one-term Congressman, congratulated Brooks on his win, saying Brooks ran a good, clean campaign.
Brooks, a Huntsville attorney and Madison County Commissioner for District 3, advances to the November election, where he will face Democrat Steve Raby.
"Getting in the arena and exchanging ideas with your constituents and your opponents is what America's all about," said Griffith. "I was rejected by the constituents, they did not accept me, and I appreciate that, because that's how America is supposed to work. So, I'll pick up and move on."
"There's no whining going on, I appreciate the public coming out and being heard," Griffith added.
When asked about what he would do in his remaining months as District 5's Congressman, Griffith said he will focus on issues important to north Alabama.
"My constituents are still the most important thing to me in my remaining months as Congressman," said Rep. Griffith.
He said he would continue to work to restore funding to the Constellation project, including Ares I and Ares V. He addressed the President by last name only when referring to this issue.
"Obama is sending the wrong message to our young community, who is interested in space exploration," said Rep. Griffith. "Obama has made a serious, serious error there, and we will fight daily to correct that."
President Obama proposed that NASA cut the Constellation project and focus on other areas. That proposal hasn't sat well with many in north Alabama.
Griffith also addressed questions about his decision to change political parties at the end of 2009.
"I do not regret changing parties," said Griffith. "I think it may have been, politically, a mistake, but on principle, it was the right thing to do."
Griffith said after his term ends, he will return to Huntsville and work on efforts to support early childhood education, with his focus being on improving reading levels.
We'll have more details and reaction to Rep. Griffith's news conference Wednesday on WHNT NEWS 19 at 5:00 and 6:00.
