AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott today held a press conference with House Speaker Dade Phelan and State Representative Ryan Guillen in Floresville, where Representative Guillen announced he is switching his political party affiliation from Democrat to Republican. The Governor thanked Representative Guillen for his decades of public service on behalf of South Texans in District 31, and noted that Representative Guillen’s party switch is reflective of a larger trend throughout Texas and the United States — where people are abandoning the radically liberal Democrat Party for the Republican Party that works to maximize freedom, safety, and opportunity.
“I am proud to welcome Representative Guillen to the Republican Party — the party of economic opportunity and individual liberty,” said Governor Abbott. “Representative Guillen’s decision to switch parties underscores a changing landscape in South Texas. Earlier this month, we saw House District 118 flip from blue to red with Representative-elect John Lujan’s special election victory. The differences between Republicans and Democrats could not be more clear, because as the Democrat Party moves further to the left, they are abandoning the people of South Texas and their values. Republicans, however, will not abandon the people of South Texas like Democrats have. Instead, we will continue to fight for freedom, opportunity, and prosperity in District 31 and throughout South Texas. And our efforts are made stronger today with Representative Guillen joining the Republican Party.”
