State Rep. Rick Crawford of Cedartown has decided to switch to the GOP over the issue of gay marriage.

Atlanta Unfiltered first reported that Crawford said if he wins reelection on November he will switch parties and become a Republican. Why? He doesn't believe in same-sex marriage.

From Atlanta Unfiltered:

Crawford, who had been pondering his party affiliation for a while, said Democrats’ endorsement of same-sex marriage pushed him over the edge. “I thought, ‘My time here is done,’” he said.

Crawford is also a political science professor at Shorter University, which was embroiled in controversy when school administrators forced staff to sign a "Personality Lifestyle Statement" which includes this: "I reject as acceptable all sexual activity not in agreement with the Bible, including, but not limited to, premarital sex, adultery and homosexuality."

Crawford's anti-gay beliefs are not new and he was a major backer of the "personhood movement" in the state, a national movement that states life begins at fertilization.

Jim Galloway of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution said, however, it appears Crawford's chances are slim of winning regardless of his party affiliation. House Speaker David Ralston said he is backing Crawford's already-Republican challenger Trey Kelley.

“I am fully committed to making sure Trey Kelley is elected to the House. He is an outstanding candidate who is working hard and is consistent,” Ralston told the AJC.

“While I respect Rick Crawford and appreciate his dilemma, the truth is that the [Democratic] Party didn’t just suddenly become liberal. It has been, is, and will continue to be a party that is far to the left of the great majority of Georgians.”

Top photo: State Rep. Rick Crawford (via legis.ga.gov)