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Democrat Makes Switch To Republican Party Following Midterms

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OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.


Another Democrat has decided to quit the party following the contentious midterm elections and has now re-registered as a Republican. According to Y’all Politics, Biloxi, Mississippi, Ward 2 Councilman Felix Gines is now a member of the GOP after serving as a leading member of the state Democratic Party for years.

“Gines, a former mayoral and state representative candidate, is the former Secretary of the 4th Congressional District for the Mississippi Democratic Party,” the site reported. “Mississippi Republican Party Chairman Frank Bordeaux and elected leaders will hold an announcement on the 2nd floor of the Biloxi Welcome Center on Monday to welcome Gines to the GOP.”

In a statement announcing his decision, Gines said: “I am switching from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party, because I have always held conservative values and beliefs. I believe today’s Republican Party is more in line with my views.”

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The news site went on to report that in October, the Mississippi Republican Party launched a Minority Outreach Committee at party headquarters in Jackson.

Gov. Tate Reeves (R) issued a statement welcoming Gines and recognizing the outreach program.

“The foundation of the Republican Party are conservative policies that put Americans first. In Mississippi, they have led to historic economic growth, lower taxes, more freedom, and a better quality of life. Our party is growing across our state because we are delivering results on behalf of Mississippians,” he said. “Proud to have the party grow, and to have Councilman Gines join!”

Bordeaux also welcomed the party’s newest high-profile member, adding that the state GOP hopes he is one of many former Democrats to join with Republicans.

“We know our plans and policies to reduce inflation, lower taxes, cut wasteful spending, secure our borders, invest in national defense, and restore American energy are appealing to all Americans,” Bordeaux said, according to Y’All Politics. “We’re taking that message to communities where Republicans have not traditionally been as successful in order to recruit, train, and elect a more diverse group of candidates and bring thousands more freedom-loving Mississippians into our party. Felix Gines making the decision to join our party is a major win for us.”

Gines is among several other former Democrats who have abandoned the Democratic Party in recent months over various issues.

For example, West Virginia Democratic state Sen. Glenn Jeffries switched his registration to the Republican Party just last week, Conservative Brief reported, adding that Jeffries submitted paperwork to join the Republican caucus serving as a Democrat since 2016. The Republicans now hold a majority in the state senate of 31 senators. 

“I have the greatest respect for the many friends and supporters I have been blessed with during my time in public office,” Jeffries said in his announcement. “I hope to continue and strengthen those relationships going forward. Our politics have gotten so personal and difficult. I want to make sure that I serve constituents and our state in a respectful, thoughtful way that leads to a better life for all West Virginians.”

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In late October, two lifelong Democrats announced they would be running for re-election as Republicans, in part, because of the worsening border crisis under President Joe Biden.

Terrell County Judge Dale Carruthers and Presidio County Judge Cinderela Guevara — two women in Texas border communities — voiced frustration with Biden’s border policies destroying their small communities.

“I come from a Hispanic heritage, which was prominently Democrat,” said Carruthers. “The chaos at the border and everything that’s been going on make me realize that I needed to switch parties. I am very happy to be a Republican and to represent this great state of Texas as a judge.”

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“I’ve been a Democrat since 1992,” Guevara added. “I’ve always ran as a Democrat and this is my first year to run as a Republican. I’m very grateful for Gov. Abbott for all he has done for Texas and continues to do for Texas, especially with our border crisis.”

Earlier in October, North Las Vegas Mayor John Lee announced that he switched to the Republican Party, arguing the Democrats’ “elitist” and “socialist” agenda is not one he “can stand with anymore.”

“They had an election recently for leadership, and four of the five people were card-carrying members of the Socialist Party. It’s not the party I grew up with 25 years ago in this environment, and it’s not the party I can stand with anymore. The working class, or working men and women of this country, and also the small business owners are not a part of the conversation anymore. It all has to do with the elitists and it has to do with the socialists. That is not the agenda that I have in mind for this country of the future,” Lee said at the time.

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