Long-serving Democratic Texas state Rep. Ryan Guillen has announced that he is running for re-election as a Republican.
“Throughout my entire career, creating a prosperous business climate, defending the second amendment, and protecting the lives of the unborn are the cornerstones of how I have represented my district,” Guillen said in a statement. “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.”
During a press conference Guillen noted that, “After years of voting to protect the 2nd Amendment, after years of voting to protect the unborn and against tax increases and to secure the border,” he is looking forward to not needing to break with his political party in casting such votes.
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Guillen has served in the Texas legislature since 2003.
Republicans already held more than half of the seats in the Lone Star State’s House of Representatives, even before Guillen announced his decision to dump the Democratic Party.
According to Fox News, Texas Democratic Party chair Gilberto Hinojosa accused Guillen of “prioritizing holding onto his job rather than standing up for Texans.”
“We’re disappointed to see him selling his soul and selling out South Texans, but we’re excited to clear the field for a real Democrat to run — one we can count on to show up for our families and put Texans first,” Hinojosa said, according to the outlet. “Texas Democrats will keep standing up for our values and fighting to fix the biggest problems facing Texas families — whether it’s fixing our disaster-prone power grid, getting more people healthcare, or making sure working Texans have a real chance to get ahead.”
“That’s clearly not a priority for Rep. Guillen,” Hinojosa claimed. “Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.”