(Columbia-AP) March 30, 2004 - The Republican Party picked up another member of the South Carolina House on Tuesday and may have a second.

Hemingway Representative John "Bubber" Snow filed for re-election Tuesday with the Republican Party, not the Democratic Party. Snow has served in the House twice. He first served from 1977 to 1994. He returned to the House in 2001. He is chairman emeritus of the House Agriculture Committee.

Democratic Representative George Bailey of Saint George also filed Tuesday for re-election as a Republican. He had earlier filed as Democrat for the same seat. Bailey's move infuriated Democratic leaders, who said voters in their party would be deprived of a choice in the election.

House Minority Leader James Smith of Columbia says the party will do everything it can to give Dorchester County voters a choice in the election.

Ware Shoals Senator Billy O'Dell said in September he was switching to the Republican Party. Myrtle Beach Senator Luke Rankin said earlier this month he's switching to the GOP.

Updated 10:02pm by Chris Rees