By Nathan Straus
nstraus@jacksonvilleprogress.com
State Rep. Chuck Hopson announced Friday he has formally resigned from the Democratic Party and will join the Republican Party at a press conference slated for Nov. 14.
The representative, also a Jacksonville pharmacist, cited concerns about President Barack Obama and the Democrats in Congress.
“Ever since this last election, Democrats haven’t reflected the values of East Texas,” Hopson said. “We’ve thought about it for a long time. My values are more in line with the Republican Party.”
He said the decision to switch was made some time close to Tuesday evening.
Hopson said in a press release he felt it was important to announce his decision immediately in fairness to the Texas Democrat Party to allow time to select a Democratic nominee for the 2010 election.
“I believe in democracy and respect its process,” Hopson said. “I will be running as a Republican in 2010 and will campaign hard to win the Republican primary and general elections.”
Among the Republican stances on issues Hopson said resonated with him are family values, illegal immigration reform, gun rights, property owner rights and the death penalty. These issues prompted the change.
“The Republicans seem pretty happy about it,” he said. “The Democratic Party in Austin is not real happy.”
Hopson was elected as a Democrat almost 10 years ago.
Hopson said he doesn’t think anything about his values and future voting record will be affected by the shift.
“I will vote like I have always voted,” he said. “I don’t anticipate anything will change.”
When asked about his chances in the 2010 election, Hopson said he doesn’t know whether or not the change to Republican will affect his odds of winning.
“This is just a path I’ve got to go down,” he said.
According to Hopson, his staff is surprised at the change, but has accepted it.
Joe Straus, Texas House speaker, said he believes Chuck is an outstanding public servant who fights hard for his East Texas constituents.
“The Republican Party warmly welcomes Chuck because of his integrity and commitment to conservative values,” Straus said.
Gov. Rick Perry welcomed Hopson to the Republican Party in a press release: “Representative Hopson’s switch to the Republican Party is a decision I deeply respect and one I know he did not come to lightly. I am excited and proud to welcome Chuck into the party, and look forward to working with him and fellow Republicans to address the issues most vital to keeping Texas strong and full of opportunity, especially during these challenging economic times.”
Attending Hopson’s press conference next Saturday will be local, state and national Republican leaders, including U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, Joe Straus, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples and several East Texas Republican officials.
In the 2008 general election, over 71 percent of the voters in Texas House District 11 supported both John McCain for president and Cornyn's re-election. The district includes Cherokee, Houston, Panola and Rusk counties. Hopson has represented East Texas in the state Legislature since 2001.
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