Allred says he will stay a Republican

RALEIGH, N.C. — A Republican state House representative who has said he would switch parties amid calls by fellow Republicans to resign said Friday he's not switching.

Accused of drinking before speeding to work and embracing a teenage female page, Rep. Cary Allred, R-Alamance, said Thursday he would, instead, quit the Republican Party and change his party affiliation.

Allred, a 30-year lawmaker, has denied the allegations, calling the 17-year-old a family friend whom he kissed on the cheek. He also said he had one drink that night but wasn't drunk.

Allred said Friday that he changed his mind after receiving numerous calls from colleagues and voters asking him to retain his Republican affiliation.

He said he has no allegiance to Linda Daves, chairwoman of the state Republican Party, who was critical of him on Thursday and doesn't give her request "much credence."

Allred also said he is still "very disgusted" with those who are criticizing him for "hugging his neighbor," whom he considers a granddaughter.

The page's father told WRAL News Friday afternoon that Allred has known him since she was 7 years old and that their families have vacationed together. He said his daughter wondered why anyone would have a problem with the hug and kiss and that it was "no big deal."

On the same night, a Highway Patrol trooper stopped Allred in Orange County on his way to Raleigh after clocking his car at 102 mph on the highway. The trooper let him off with a warning after Allred flashed his legislative identification.

The Highway Patrol ticketed Allred four days later and began an internal investigation into why the trooper didn't cite him initially.

Allred's term is up in 2010. He said Friday he is not sure if he will seek re-election.