Why are you a republic?

A republic is not a person, it is a type of government.

A republic is a country which is not run by an hereditary leader. That is, it is not run by a king or any other sort of monarch who inherited the job from his or her father or mother. Each new ruler is chosen.

A republic does not have to be democratic, it can be an oligarchy (rule by a minority). Most republics claim to be democratic, even if they aren't.