After three terms as a Democrat, Webb County Judge Tano Tijerina announced his switch to the Republican Party on Tuesday morning, citing frustration with the Democratic Party’s evolving platform and a closer alignment with the values of South Texas.
“The Democratic Party has moved too far left, abandoning the values I hold dear,” Tijerina said during an appearance on Fox & Friends. “I’ve always identified as a conservative, and the party’s radical shifts made this decision inevitable.”
Border Counties See Republican Momentum Grow
The decision comes on the heels of Webb County’s surprising shift in the 2024 presidential election, flipping Republican for the first time in a century.
In November, President-elect Donald Trump won 14 of 18 border counties, including all four in the Rio Grande Valley. These victories represent a major turnaround from 2016, when Trump garnered only 29% of the vote in the region.
Webb County, traditionally a Democratic stronghold, saw one of the largest swings toward Trump, with his vote share jumping by more than 50 percentage points since 2016. Despite Trump’s success, local Democratic candidates managed to hold their ground in down-ballot races.
“For years, I’ve watched the national Democrat Party drift further left, embracing policies that don’t reflect the values of our community. This is not about politics; it’s about staying true to my principles and the people of South Texas. The party left me, and the people of South Texas behind,” Tijerina stated.
Reactions from Local Leaders
Webb County Democratic Chair Sylvia Bruni expressed disappointment but noted the switch was unsurprising. “For anyone who chooses to leave the Democratic Party for convenience’s sake, I think they need to leave. That’s not the type of Democrat I want standing by me,” Bruni said.
On the other hand, Webb County Republican Chair Jose Salazar welcomed the move, calling it “an early Christmas present” and a sign of growing Republican momentum in South Texas. Salazar praised Tijerina’s alignment with Republican values, adding, “This switch shows that many South Texans already hold conservative beliefs, even if they don’t formally identify with the party.”
Tijerina’s switch comes amid a broader political shift in the border region. South Texas has seen increasing Republican support, fueled by concerns over issues like border security, energy policy, and cultural debates.
President-elect Donald Trump Responds
Taking to Truth Social this week, President-elect Trump celebrated Tijerina’s announcement as part of a broader trend of political shifts. He also mentioned Florida State Representative Susan Valdes’s party switch and commended a Republican victory in the Baton Rouge, Louisiana, mayoral race.
“This is a historic moment for South Texas and a testament to the growing support for our movement,” he wrote.
