Now that they're over their initial shock, Alabama Democratic leaders are beginning to tout potential challengers to freshman Rep. Parker Griffith , who announced earlier this week that he was switching parties to become a Republican.

"This is going to energize a lot of Democratic officials in the district,"� Alabama Democratic Chairman Joe Turnham told the Huntsville Times in an article published Dec. 24.

According to the newspaper, national Democratic leaders have already spoken to state Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks, who lives just outside the 5th District, about the possibility of seeking the seat. Sparks is currently running for governor, where he's on a collision course with Rep. Artur Davis , who is also seeking the Democratic gubernatorial...