Louisiana Dem is changing parties after almost 50 years in politics, citing Christian values ​​as the reason

The longest-serving member of the Louisiana state legislature has officially switched parties from the Democrats to the Republicans.

On Friday, Rep. Franz Thompson changed his registration to Republican after serving 48 years as a Democrat. Thompson was first elected in 1974 and spent the next 32 years in the state house. He then served 12 years in the State Senate before returning to the House of Representatives for another four years. His voting behavior has often been described as “conservative,” so he claims his new party affiliation won’t do much.

“My conservative voting record during my years in the legislature speaks for itself,” said the 81-year-old college professor and retired businessman specifiedadding that he made the switch mainly because of his Christian faith.

“The push by Democratic leaders at the national and state levels in recent years to support certain issues is not consistent with the values ​​and principles that are part of my Christian life,” Thompson said.

Despite the radical left swing of many national Democrats, the Louisiana Dems have not always followed suit. Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards considers himself hostile to life, and after SCOTUS is overthrown Roe v. calf He signed last summer two bills which effectively banned almost all abortions in his state.

However, a year earlier, Edwards appeal filed Laws protecting women’s sports from male infiltration. Thompson worked with Republicans to try to override this veto, but that endeavor ultimately failed.

Now that Thompson has switched parties, the Republican Party has a veto-proof majority in both the House and Senate. Louisiana law requires a two-thirds majority in both houses to override a governor’s veto. With Thompson as the 70th Republican in the House of Representatives and a solid Republican majority in the Senate, the state legislature is now armed against a possible veto by Edwards.

Still, some Conservatives doubt Thompson’s party move will matter much. Local radio legend Moon Griffon responded to the news by saying: “Francis Thompson is for Francis Thompson. I guarantee you that ‘The Fee’ only did this because it benefited him. Check out his district. He’s just the latest in a long line of Democrats who traded a ‘D’ next to their name for an ‘R’ just for him to win re-election and stay in office.”

A Hayride writer who oversees “Southern politics and culture” was similarly skeptical, claiming that the Louisiana GOP has “a lousy leadership that’s generally unwilling to pressure it [the] Advantage” that represents Thompson’s 70th vote and that 70 votes is “not exactly a solid supermajority”.

Despite the naysayers, House Majority Leader Blake Miguez is thrilled that Thompson is joining the Republicans: “Francis made a personal decision to switch parties, influenced by his beliefs and perception that the Democratic Party was no longer consistent with his values matches. As a person of faith, he found the Republican Party more consistent with his principles, a view shared by many Louisians. This is a significant decision for a seasoned lawmaker who has witnessed numerous changes in our state’s political landscape, and we do welcome him to our party.”

Thompson’s former colleagues in the Democratic Party are not shocked by the move either. Rep. Sam Jenkins, chairman of the House Democratic Assembly, said in a statement: “Rep. Thompson’s decision, while disappointing, is not surprising. He has already voted with the Republicans.”

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