Texas state Rep. Ryan Guillen just announced that he is leaving the Democratic Party to join the GOP in a massive blow to the Dems in south Texas. He said:
“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.
“Friends, something is happening in South Texas, and many of us are waking up to the fact that the values of those in Washington, D.C., are not our values, not the values of most Texans.
“The ideology of defunding the police, of destroying the oil and gas industry, and the chaos at our border is disastrous for those of us who live here in South Texas.”
Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Ronna McDaniel said:
“I am proud to welcome state Representative Ryan Guillen to the GOP. The Republican Party is the party of faith, freedom, and opportunity, and we will continue to stand for these ideals in Texas and across the country.
“With trailblazers like Representative Guillen, we will continue to make gains in South Texas and grow the party in our way to victories up and down the ballot in 2022.”
“Everybody has known that Ryan Guillen is really a Republican who is attached to the wrong label,” Greg Abbott said at the news conference.
“Ryan, we’re glad you finally came out of the closet.”
From The Hill:
Texas House Democratic Caucus Chair Chris Turner (D) knocked Guillen in a statement after news of his departure from the party broke, questioning his will to fight the GOP redistricting.
“Republicans cynically gutted Rep. Guillen’s district in the redistricting process, showing complete disrespect for both him and his constituents. Usually, people in Ryan’s position would choose to fight. Instead, he has chosen to join them,” Turner wrote.
He also aired doubt regarding the lawmaker’s belief in Republican principles.
“Rep. Guillen probably doesn’t believe the Republican talking points he is repeating today, but he thinks they may help him get elected again. Ryan has run for office and been elected as a Democrat for 19 years. He has supported many key Democratic priorities, such as Medicaid expansion and investments in public education, while also opposing the so-called ‘election integrity’ bill,” Turner said.
“It will be interesting to see how he explains his voting record to his new party, given Republicans’ hostility to affordable health care and the freedom to vote,” he added.
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
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. pic.twitter.com/CRKOhVnSG4
— Rep. Ryan Guillen (@RyanGuillen) November 15, 2021
