One prominent Texas Republican has announced she will not be supporting the Republican nominee. However, it isn’t presidential candidate Donald Trump outgoing State Rep. Debbie Riddle (R-Tomball) is referring to, but rather her former opponent, Valoree Swanson.
In a recent Facebook post Riddle announced she will be supporting the Democrat candidate in November over Swanson, a conservative activist from Spring who defeated Riddle in the Republican primary.
“Valoree Swanson ran a deceptive campaign full of slander and lies. Ok—as a life long conservative Republican who puts my Christian values first in my decision making how do I vote? Deceptive Republican who will lie and say anything to win or Democrat who tells the truth and risks the consequences—that’s our choice folks I know how I’m voting.”
While Riddle claims that Swanson misled voters about her record, it was Riddle’s own campaign that was deceptive. Voters saw through the smoke and mirrors and selected Swanson, a Republican who actually “tells the truth and risks the consequences.”
After implying she would vote for the Democrat in the race, Riddle then attempted to rationalize the decision.
“[A]ny left leaning legislation the Democrat may try to pass will go nowhere in the Republican led Texas House,” wrote Riddle.
Unfortunately for Republicans, the grim reality in the Texas House is actually the opposite. Due to establishment Republicans like Riddle forming a coalition government with Democrats, conservative reforms are stymied more often than liberal legislation.
Repealing in-state tuition for illegal immigrants died without a hearing due to the leadership team Riddle both supported and defended. While proclaiming her “Christian values,” Riddle and other members of the Calendars Committee killed pro-life legislation that would have allowed Texans to opt-out of abortion coverage in their health insurance packages.
Meanwhile, Democrat-authored legislation to provide food stamps to convicted felons passed easily—with the support of Riddle. Such is not the exception, but the norm in the Texas House where Democrats enjoy a greater bill passage rate than the majority of Republicans.
Establishment Republicans often berate conservatives into accepting moderate candidates, but it seems those same establishment Republicans refuse to be held to the same standards. Voters are learning that despite her political posturing early in her political career, Debbie Riddle is little more than a Democrat shill. Or…she’s just a sore loser.
