In a significant political shift, Texas State Representative Shawn Thierry has announced she will be switching her party affiliation from Democrat to Republican. The decision comes after Thierry lost her primary election earlier this year, a defeat she attributes to her support of a 2023 Republican bill that barred gender transition procedures for minors.
Thierry, in a statement published on social media, stated that the Democratic Party has moved too far to the left, advocating for policies she finds deeply concerning. She specifically criticized the party’s stance on gender transition procedures for minors, arguing that such policies are harmful and go against her values.
“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 — policies like promoting sex changes for children during a vulnerable stage of their lives, and dismantling Title IX protections for women in sports,” Thierry wrote.
Thierry expressed her commitment to serving her constituents for the remainder of her term as a Republican, stating that she now aligns with the values of the GOP. “I now stand with the party of Lincoln, the party that fought to preserve our Union and fought to end the atrocities of slavery,” she added.
Thierry’s decision highlights the growing divide within the Democratic Party over issues related to gender identity and sexual orientation. Her support for the Republican bill restricting gender transition procedures for minors appears to have been a major factor in her primary loss.
“Mothers around our country from all backgrounds, races, and communities understand that it’s our sacred duty to preserve the innocence of our children, protect them from being sexualized, and sterilized,” Thierry wrote. “To respect universal truths, and to uphold the rights of biological women as defined by science, nature, and common sense.”
Thierry’s decision to switch parties underscores the complexities and tensions surrounding these issues in American politics. Her stance has generated debate, with some praising her for taking a stand on what she believes is right, while others criticize her decision to join the Republican Party.
