Democrats are still reeling from a massive Republican victory into Virginia while many predict a massive Red Wave election brewing for the 2022 midterm.
The latest crushing blow for the Democrats came in Floresville, Texas, where Democratic State Representative Ryan Guillen of Rio Grande City has decided to leave his party and join the Republicans.
According to The Texas Tribune, Guillen was “the least liberal Democrat in the Texas House this year, according to a political scientist’s rankings of lawmakers.”
Guillen made his announcement in a joint press conference with Republican leaders Governor Greg Abbott and Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan.
Welcome to the party of freedom, opportunity & prosperity @RyanGuillen.
As Dems move further left, they're abandoning the people of South Texas & their values.
Rep. Guillen's decision to switch parties is indicative of a shifting landscape in South Texas. pic.twitter.com/6gwEV0DNqB
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) November 15, 2021
Former Dems House Member Finds His Pivot Point
Along with a statement released to Twitter, Guillen wrote, “After much consideration and prayer with my family, I feel that my fiscally conservative, pro-business, and pro-life values are no longer in-step with the Democrat Party of today, and I am proudly running as a Republican to represent House District 31.”
In his statement, Ryan Guillen expanded on his realization that the Democrat party’s values and his as well as his constituents do not align.
“The values of the Washington D.C. Democrats are not those of HD-31 and not those of most Texans,” said Guillen. “The ideology of defunding the police, destroying the oil and gas industry, and opening our border has disastrous consequences for those of us who live in south Texas. After years of voting against tax increases, in favor of protecting Texas families, and in favor of border security funding. I have found that my core beliefs align with the Republican Party. I am confident that my switch today is the right decision.”
Like many former Democrats before him, including President Ronald Reagan, (and likely at some point within the next few months Sen. Joe Manchin) Rep. Guillen found himself in a party that didn’t represent him any longer and that doesn’t represent the people of his constituency and changing parties from being the least liberal Democrat to being likely one of the more liberal Republicans is more than reasonable, it’s a moral imperative.
It’s risky, it opens him to a lot of criticism from both sides, but to be intellectually honest with yourself and with your people, is always best.
