Hopson jumps parties, switches to Republican

JACKSONVILLE — Saying that President Barack Obama and the Democrats in Congress do not reflect the concerns and conservative values of his district, State Rep. Chuck Hopson announced Friday that he has formally resigned from the Democratic Party and will join the Republican Party.

Hopson said he will hold a press conference in his home town of Jacksonville next week and will be joined by local, state and national Republican leaders including U.S. Senator John Cornyn, Texas House Speaker Joe Straus, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples and East Texas Republican officials. Details for the press conference will be announced later.

Hopson’s district includes Cherokee, Houston, Panola and Rusk counties and he has held the District 11 seat since 2001.

“Chuck is an outstanding public servant who fights hard for his East Texas constituents,” Straus said. “The Republican Party warmly welcomes Chuck because of his integrity and commitment to conservative values.”

Hopson, a pharmacist, said he felt it was important to announce his decision immediately in fairness to the Texas Democratic Party in order to allow them time to select a nominee for the 2010 election.

“I believe in democracy and respect its process. I will be running as a Republican in 2010 and will campaign hard to win the Republican primary and general elections,” Hopson said.

Hopson said he agrees strongly with the Republican Party on issues of family values, illegal immigration reform, gun rights, property owner rights and the death penalty.

Boyd Richie, Texas Democratic Party chairman, said he was disappointed in Hopson’s decision to change parties.

“While I am extremely disappointed with Chuck Hopson, I remain confident the Texas House of Representatives will have a Democratic Speaker of the House next Legislative session. Democrats continue to make inroads across the Lone Star State and will continue to put the best interests of Texans ahead of the special interests Republicans continue to represent.

“Make no mistake… as a rural Democratic elected official who served in rural Texas, I can tell you that if, in fact, Chuck Hopson makes this announcement (Friday) afternoon, he will be joining a party that has abandoned rural Texas.”

Boyd said Hopson “will be joining the party of the special interests – the party that has given us the highest homeowners insurance rates in the country, that has increased our health insurance premiums beyond repair, and let the special interest lobbyists rule our State Capitol.”

In the 2008 general election, Hopson noted that more than 71 percent of the voters in Texas House District 11 supported both John McCain for president and Cornyn’s reelection.