JACKSON (AP) — Sen. Nolan Mettetal, whose win in the Democratic Primary was disputed last year, said Wednesday he’s leaving the party to become a Republican.

“Switching is not the proper terminology. I’m just joining a party. The (Democratic) Party abandoned me,” said Mettetal of Sardis, who has served in the Senate since 1996.

Before Mettetal’s switch, there were 28 Democrats and 24 Republicans in the Mississippi Senate. The balance is now 27-25.

Mettetal said Wednesday that he felt the Democratic Party didn’t support him in last year’s election. He represents District 10, which covers Panola and Tate counties.

Mettetal defeated challenger Mona Pittman of Batesville by 88 votes in the Democratic primary in August. Pittman, who had received sizable campaign donations from influential Democrats and supporters of public education, contested the results.

Allegations surfaced of improper counting of absentee and affidavit ballots and improper storage of ballots and election materials in Panola County.

Mettetal’s name remained on the general election ballot, and he defeated Republican Shelly Turner in November.

Democratic leaders “made it very clear to me that as a conservative I was no longer needed by the Democratic Party,” Mettetal said. “I felt I could bring a lot to the Democratic Party.”

Among those donating heavily to Pittman’s campaign were former Secretary of State Dick Molpus and Claiborne Barksdale, director of the Barksdale Institute, a literacy group founded by his brother, former Netscape CEO Jim Barksdale.

Both Molpus and Barksdale lead The Parents’ Campaign, a group that promotes improvements for public education.

Mississippi Democratic Party spokesman Terry Cassreino said the party doesn’t decide who will hold office; the people in the district do.

“That’s up to the voters to decide whether they want to return him to office,” Cassreino said Wednesday. “It’s unfortunate the Democrats who live in Panola County who thought they voted for a Democrat now find themselves without representation for the next four years.”

When asked if he felt his constituents might be disappointed about his party jump, Mettetal responded: “I’m no different right now than I was yesterday. I’m a Republican now. I have a family that will help me achieve the goals that I want in helping these very constituents of mine.”

Some Democrats said the switch won’t have much bearing on partisanship in the Senate, which is presided over by Republican Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant.

“I think his values and beliefs are consistent with the Republican Party. It’s good to have him on board,” Bryant said.

Sen. Deborah Dawkins, D-Pass Christian, said Mettetal was “a Democrat in name only.”

“I suppose I should be shocked,” Dawkins said of Mettetal’s party switch. She said Mettetal didn’t always vote with Democrats on education bills.

Mettetal is chairman of the Senate Public Utilities Committee and vice chairman of the Interstate and Federal Cooperation Committee.