Only a couple have been featured, and nothing prominent, so no way to know if this turns into a trend, but as the Republican Party in the state becomes more conservative, moderate Republicans might shift parties.
Here are the two:
- Republican turned Democrat runs for Cornyn’s Senate seat
- Texas Judge Switches to Democratic Party: "The Republican Party Left Me"
Both say the party became too conservative for them. Perhaps they were also driven from the party by conservatives who thing they are RINOs - Republicans in Name Only. Maybe they are opportunists who think the tide might be shifting in favor of Democrats in the state and want to get in early.
Who knows, but its a trend worth following.
The Texas Republican Party benefited when the national Democratic Party became too liberal for moderates in the Texas Democratic Party. Politics is like a pendulum so there's little reason to believe that the pendulum can swing back. No telling yet whether that's whats going on now - but its worth following.
- Wikipedia: Party Switching in the United States.
