OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
It is starting to appear that some in the Democrat Party are realizing the anchor they have around their necks in the form of the unpopular Joe Biden and Kamala Harris team and have other ideas.
Democratic Texas state Rep. Ryan Guillen, who has been in politics for a long time, has announced that he is running for re-election as a Republican.
“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,” he said on Twitter with a screenshot of a press release.
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
“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,” he said in the press release. “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.”
“The values of Washington D.C. Democrats are not those of HD-31 – and not those of most Texans,” he said. “The ideology of defunding the police, destroying the Oil & 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’ve found that my core beliefs align with the Republican Party. I am confident that my switch today is the right decision.”
“The voters of my district love this country, they love Texas, they love their families, and they are deeply proud of the huge impact they have on the prosperity and strength of America and the prosperity of their own communities. And, the National Democrat Party is increasingly putting themselves in direct opposition to our values,” he said.
The decision comes as polling for Biden and Harris, as well as House Speaker and California Rep. Nancy Pelosi, has been abysmal.
The representative made the announcement on Monday, as he was flanked by Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and House Speaker Dade Phelan, The Texas Tribune reported.
“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 representative said. “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.”
The decision was celebrated at the news conference by the governor.
“Everybody has known that Ryan Guillen is really a Republican who is attached to the wrong label,” he said. “Ryan, we’re glad you finally came out of the closet.”
But Democrats said that they believe the representative was caving to redistricting pressure from Republicans.
“Republicans cynically gutted Rep. Guillen’s district in the redistricting process, showing complete disrespect for both him and his constituents,” House Democratic Caucus chair and state Rep. Chris Turner, said. “Usually, people in Ryan’s position would choose to fight. Instead, he has chosen to join them.”
Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Ronna McDaniel celebrated the representative’s switch to the GOP.
“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,” she said.
