Texas State Representative Shawn Thierry has announced her switch from the Democratic to the Republican Party after losing her Democratic primary to Lauren Ashley Simmons. Thierry cited the Democratic Party's shift towards progressive policies, such as gender-affirming care for minors and changes to Title IX protections, as reasons for her departure. She emphasized her alignment with Republican values of family, faith, and freedom. Governor Greg Abbott and other prominent Republicans welcomed her decision, while Democrats criticized her move as a betrayal of her constituents. Thierry's term will end in January, with Simmons or Republican Lance York expected to succeed her. Thierry was also recently appointed as the director of political strategy for Genspect, an anti-trans policy group.