"Life has mattered my entire career," he said in a 2020 interview with Christianity Today. "My principles have not changed, and I am not changing my principles because I have a D behind my name."

And back in Texas, longtime Democratic state Rep. Ryan Guillen announced in November 2021 he would be officially switching his affiliation from Democrat to Republican. Like Lucio in the Senate, Guillen had voted in favor of both the state's trigger ban and controversial six-week ban enforced through civil litigation. "Rep. Guillen has been a friend for many years," the state Republican Party chairman said in a statement. "I am proud to welcome him to the Republican Party." Guillen did not respond to requests for comment.

*

Days earlier, Lucio had announced he would not seek reelection after more than 30 years in the state legislature. He told CNN he is proud that he rose "above partisan politics" during his time in office and proclaimed that he was never the extreme right's trusted vote, as critics said, but "God's trusted vote."

"Life has mattered my entire career," he said in a 2020 interview with Christianity Today. "My principles have not changed, and I am not changing my principles because I have a D behind my name."

And back in Texas, longtime Democratic state Rep. Ryan Guillen announced in November 2021 he would be officially switching his affiliation from Democrat to Republican. Like Lucio in the Senate, Guillen had voted in favor of both the state's trigger ban and controversial six-week ban enforced through civil litigation. "Rep. Guillen has been a friend for many years," the state Republican Party chairman said in a statement. "I am proud to welcome him to the Republican Party." Guillen did not respond to requests for comment.

*

Days earlier, Lucio had announced he would not seek reelection after more than 30 years in the state legislature. He told CNN he is proud that he rose "above partisan politics" during his time in office and proclaimed that he was never the extreme right's trusted vote, as critics said, but "God's trusted vote."