Texas Democrat who switched to GOP and backed ban on gender-affirming care for minors defeated in primary

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Texas Democratic Lawmaker Ousted After Supporting Ban on Gender-Affirming Care for Minors

Texas Democratic Lawmaker Ousted After Supporting Ban on Gender-Affirming Care for Minors

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In a surprising turn of events, Texas Democratic lawmaker Rep. Shawn Thierry was ousted in a primary runoff after breaking with her party to support a ban on gender-affirming care for minors. The defeat came after four terms in which Thierry typically aligned with her fellow Democrats on major issues, but her controversial stance on this particular issue sparked outrage among Democratic colleagues and LGBTQ+ groups nationwide.

Thierry’s opponent, Lauren Ashley Simmons, a union organizer, emerged victorious in the race for the south Houston seat, with support from LGBTQ+ organizations such as the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund. Simmons is now favored to win the heavily Democratic district in November.

The contentious debate surrounding the proposed ban on gender-affirming care for minors highlighted the divide within the Democratic party on LGBTQ+ rights. While most Democrats support the rights and visibility of LGBTQ+ adults and children, the issue has become a target for GOP attacks, particularly against transgender individuals.

Simmons’ campaign received strong support from LGBTQ+ groups, with endorsements from organizations like the Human Rights Campaign and Equality Texas. Political consultant Grant Martin noted that Thierry’s unwavering support for the ban, including defending her stance on Fox News and receiving support from Republican donors, ultimately led to her defeat.

The outcome of the race serves as a warning to Democratic elected officials who may consider breaking with the party on key issues. Rice University political science professor Mark Jones emphasized that the primary defeat of Thierry sends a clear message that deviating from party values could result in being primaried and removed from office, mirroring the recent purge and litmus tests seen in the Republican Party.

The impact of Thierry’s loss is likely to resonate among other Democrats, as the party grapples with internal divisions and external pressures on LGBTQ+ rights. The race in south Houston serves as a reminder of the importance of staying aligned with party values and the potential consequences of straying from them.

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