JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — State Sen. Nicky Browning of Pontotoc is switching to the Republican Party.

Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves, a Republican, made the announcement Tuesday. The state Senate now has 32 Republicans and 20 Democrats.

Browning has served in the Legislature as a Democrat since 1996. He is chairman of the Senate County Affairs Committee.

Reeves described Browning in a news release as a strong social and fiscal conservative.

Browning is a native of Pontotoc. He represents Senate District 3, which is comprised of portions of Pontotoc, Union and Calhoun counties.