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Webb County Decide Tano Tijerina, elected practically a decade in the past as the highest government of the border county that features Laredo, introduced Tuesday that he’s switching from the Democratic Social gathering to the Republican Social gathering.
“Over the years, I’ve watched the Democratic Party shift further and further to the left and leaving the values that I hold dear to my heart,” Tijerina mentioned throughout an interview on Fox & Buddies. “I’ve always been a conservative, and the radicalization of the national Democrats pushed me away a long time ago.”
Tijerina’s departure from the get together comes after main defeats alongside the U.S.-Mexico border in November’s presidential election — counties which have been reliably Democratic for generations.
President-elect Donald Trump gained 14 out of the 18 counties inside 20 miles of the border, together with all 4 counties within the Rio Grande Valley, eight years after profitable solely 29% of the vote within the area throughout his first presidential run.
Amongst them was Webb County, which skilled the fourth-largest swing for Trump since 2016 — greater than 50 share factors, in accordance unofficial outcomes for 2024. Nevertheless, voters within the county selected Democrats within the down poll races, together with the U.S. Senate and U.S. Consultant contests.
In his interview on Fox & Buddies, Tijerina added that his resolution was additionally pushed by the necessity for extra border safety, threats to the area’s oil and gasoline business and differing cultural views “from our, you recognize, the woke actions, you recognize, from the boys taking part in in ladies sports activities and whatnot.
“It’s something that I had to do. It’s something that’s dear in my heart,” he mentioned. “I have a moral compass that I need to continue moving forward.”
Following this 12 months’s presidential election, Webb County Democratic Social gathering Chair Sylvia Bruni mentioned she had warned state and nationwide get together leaders in regards to the Republican get together’s advances however had obtained little help. “We need help,” Bruni mentioned.
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