Texas House Democrat Ryan Guillen Switches to Republican Party

Becoming Republican Despite Winning Reelection by 17 Points in 2020

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Texas House Democrat Ryan Guillen, who represents a border district, today announced that he is switching parties and becoming a Republican. Guillen’s decision comes despite his 17 point victory running as a Democrat in House District 31 in 2020.

“John Lujan’s upset victory earlier this month in a district with a majority Hispanic population already proved that Texans are fed up with the failures of Democratic leadership and Ryan Guillen’s party switch makes that fact all the more clear,” said Republican State Leadership Committee President Dee Duncan. “Today’s Democrat leaders are so focused on appeasing their fringe-left base by putting teachers’ unions ahead of parents, pushing socialist tax and spending schemes, and fighting for open border policies, that even elected officials in their own party cannot support their radical agenda anymore. We welcome Representative Guillen to the Republican Party with open arms and look forward to working with him as he partners with the Republican majority to deliver solutions for the people of his district.” 

Today’s development follows Republican John Lujan’s flip of Texas House District 118 – another border district -- earlier this month. Lujan’s win was a major setback for Democrats, as Biden carried the district by 14 points in 2020.

###