Lifelong Democrat and outgoing Texas state Rep. Shawn Thierry said on Friday that she is joining the Republican Party.
Thierry announced the reasons behind her decision in a lengthy statement on X.
“The Democratic Party has veered so far left, so deep into the progressive abyss, that it now champions policies that I cannot, in good conscience, support,” Thierry wrote.
“Policies like promoting sex changes for children during a vulnerable stage of their lives, and dismantling Title IX protections for women in sports,” she added.
The Texas Democratic Party in a statement criticized Thierry over her decision.
“Shawn Thierry compromised her Democratic values, betraying the constituents of House District 146, and in response, they rightfully fired her,” according to its official statement.
The outgoing state representative lost her primary earlier this year to Lauren Ashely Simmons after she sided with Republicans on several bills opposed by the LGBT community.
Thierry, 54, also broke with her party last year when she voted for a measure that would bar gender-altering treatments for minors. She delivered an emotional speech on the House floor explaining her decision to side with Republicans on the issue.
Texas Gov. Gregg Abbott said he is proud to have Thierry join the Republican Party, and that it was the Democrats who abandoned her and not the other way around.
“Democrats abandoned her after she supported a law I signed to protect Texas children,” the governor wrote on X. “Look forward to working with Rep. Thierry to build a brighter future,” Abbott added, posting a photo of the pair shaking hands.
According to Ballotpedia, 86 state lawmakers have switched from Democrat to Republican since 1994. By contrast, 23 state lawmakers have switched from Republican to Democrat.