Gov. Abbott appoints former Democrat Shawn Thierry as Harris County judge

Governor Greg Abbott selected former state Rep. Shawn Thierry for a seat on the 515th Judicial District bench in Harris County, a court created to relieve the area’s crowded docket and instructed to favor civil matters. Thierry, who switched from the Democratic to the Republican Party after breaking with her former caucus over legislation restricting gender-transition treatment for youths, has been welcomed by GOP leaders.

She recently held the role of director of political strategy for the anti-trans organization Genspect and serves as executive director of policy at Texas Southern University. Abbott previously placed her on the state juvenile justice board and emphasized the new judicial role as part of his broader strategy to make Harris County solidly Republican. Thierry pledged to serve with integrity and cited a biblical passage in her social-media announcement. The appointment comes as Harris County, Texas’ most populous jurisdiction, remains a key battleground for both parties.