Former state Rep. Michael Decker won passage of few laws in his 20-year legislative career. It was his decision to become a Democrat for a few months in 2003 that changed history and his life.

Decker, a former teacher of civics and history at a Christian school, came to the legislature in 1985 from Forsyth County as a Republican who was for school prayer and against school health clinics. By the end of his career, Decker had sealed his reputation as a party-switcher who helped House Speaker Jim Black, a Mecklenburg County Democrat, stay in power.

During much of his two decades in office, it was unclear how Decker earned a living beyond his legislative salary and daily allowance. Rank-and-file House members make $13,951 a year plus $104 a day during legislative sessions. Decker sometimes slept in a camper while in Raleigh.

"Most of the years, he didn't have another job," said Rep. John Blust, a Greensboro Republican.

Legislative guides listed Decker's occupation as schoolteacher. Blust said Decker did some substitute teaching in Triad schools.

Republicans speculated in 2003 that Decker switched parties in a deal to become speaker pro tem -- the deputy speaker. That position pays more than rank-and-file House members make, and holding that job also would have increased his retirement pay.

"They're scratching their heads and saying, 'Why, why, why?' " Decker said in a January 2003 interview. "They want to accuse me of all the base motives that they can, and they're just simply not true."

Decker almost always had trouble getting support for his bills, even when Republicans held House majorities.

"His bills were somewhat controversial," said Rep. Leo Daughtry, a Smithfield Republican and former majority leader.

Decker sponsored a 1995 law that required teenage girls to get consent from a parent or judge before an abortion. That year, Decker got his highest rating -- a 68 -- in the legislative effectiveness rankings compiled by the N.C. Center for Public Policy Research. He ranked near the bottom most terms.

Decker's last big legislative push came in 2004, the year he lost a Republican primary in a bid for another term. He fought to cap the state gasoline tax but couldn't persuade his colleagues to go along.

Co-chairman of a committee that rarely met, Decker, in his last term, often could be seen walking the halls with his little white dog, Sugar.