Born-again conservative: Democratic lawmaker, 81, changes party over Christian values

Louisiana state Rep. Francis Thompson, who served as a Democrat for almost 50 years, has changed his registration to Republican. Thompson, 81, is the longest-serving member of the state legislature, according to reports, and his switch gave Republicans in the Bayou State a two-thirds supermajority.

Thompson cited his Christian beliefs as the reason for the switch, saying that the push of Democratic leadership on both the national and state level to support certain issues does not align with his values and principles that are part of his Christian life. Although serving for 48 years as a Democrat, Thompson claims he has a conservative voting record.

He supported Louisiana’s first veto override session in the hope of overriding Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards’s rejection of legislation prohibiting transgender athletes from competing in female school sports, among other measures.

The Louisiana GOP Chairman called Thompson’s move “historic,” saying it is further evidence of Louisiana’s yearning for conservative values and a rejection of Washington liberal politics.

House Democratic Caucus Chairman Sam Jenkins did not share Gurvich’s sentiment, saying that Thompson’s decision is disappointing but not surprising since he already caucused with Republicans.