A four-term Democrat Texas state representative who broke with her party and sided with the GOP on bills such as one banning gender-transitioning surgeries for minors and another designed to remove sexually explicit books from school libraries has announced she will join the Republican Party.
Houston Democrat Shawn Thierry, who lost her seat in a May runoff, announced her decision on Friday.
“As a woman, a mother, and a lawmaker, I have dedicated my life to championing the values that fortify our families and uplift our communities. After much reflection, prayer, and soul-searching, I have come to a decision that aligns with my core values and the best interests of our beloved country,” she wrote on X.
“For my entire adult life, I have voted as a Democrat. I was raised in a household with my amazing parents who believed the Democratic Party was the party of the people—a beacon…
