Louisiana's House of Representatives has flipped to Republican after a House member switched parties.
Former Democratic state Rep. Francis Thomas said he will be switching parties, citing the left's incompatibility with his Christian faith, marking the first GOP supermajority in the state's history.
Republicans Gain Historic Control in Louisiana After Democrat Switches Partieshttps://t.co/PoheYHJqcP
— Kambree (@KamVTV) March 20, 2023
“Let me clear: Nothing has changed,” Thompson said as he made his announcement. “There are values and principles that I firmly hold onto that guide my decisions. My conservative voting record over my years in the Legislature speaks for itself.
“The push the past several years by Democratic leadership on both the national and state level to support certain issues does not align with those values and principles that are a part of my Christian life,” he added.
Louisiana Democrat Switches Parties, Giving Republicans Historic Powerhttps://t.co/7sNjKmgsCU
— Mary Ann Owen (@Boxer751) March 18, 2023
"It was little surprise to some, however, given Thompson's voting record and the fact he already caucuses with Republicans," Newsweek reported.
"As a Democrat in 2022, Thompson signed onto Republican-led legislation exempting religious institutions from state public health orders that Edwards eventually vetoed, as well as a concealed carry bill that was primarily supported by Republicans after years of failures," it added.
News: State Rep. Francis Thompson becomes a Republican, gives GOP supermajority in Louisiana Legislature #lalage #lagov https://t.co/ZXBGa0Kavg via @nolanews pic.twitter.com/24g6bAVx3o
— James Finn (@rjamesfinn) March 17, 2023
“Francis having joined our ranks is further evidence of Louisiana’s yearning for conservative values and a rejection of Washington liberal politics,” Louisiana Republican Party Chairman Louis Gurvich said.
“This is an open invitation for all those Louisianans who don’t know where to go,” said state Sen. Heather Cloud (R-Turkey Creek), according to The Advocate.
The decision comes ahead of the state's next legislative session which begins in April.
The switch is not the only time a lawmaker has made the move from Democrat to another party in recent years. Last week, leaders in East Hanover, New Jersey, switched parties.
Arizona Sen. Kirsten Sinema also raised controversy when she announced her switch from the Democratic Party to become independent after the 2022 election.
The switches all seem to be away from the left, showing that a growing number of political leaders feel alienated by their traditional political party as Democrats grow increasingly radical under the Biden administration.