Former California Senate Majority Leader Gloria Romero has announced her departure from the Democrat Party, registering as a Republican and endorsing former President Donald Trump for the 2024 election. Romero, who previously held influential positions within the Democrat Party as both Senate Democratic Caucus Chair and Senate Majority Leader, declared her decision in an impassioned public statement on Wednesday.
“Today, I say goodbye. Adios,” Romero began, speaking in front of the California Capitol, the very place where she once held significant power as a leading Democrat. “I’ve had enough. I am now another near lifelong Democrat who is joining the growing number of people, including key groups like Latinos, who are leaving the Democratic Party.”
“This is not the Democratic Party that I once championed. I do not recognize it anymore and I cannot continue. I changed my voting registration today as the sun was rising to Republican, which has under Donald Trump become the champion of working people, the big tent. And indeed, I will vote for Donald Trump this fall.”
While Romero did not delve deeply into the specifics of her grievances with the party, she mentioned that several issues motivated her decision.
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Romero, a prominent voice in California politics, is known for her advocacy on issues such as education reform and criminal justice, and has long been a key figure within the state’s Latino community. Her switch to the GOP adds to the growing trend of Latinos increasingly aligning with the Republican Party. Her defection comes as the Republican Party seeks to expand its appeal among minority groups and voters disillusioned with progressive policies in states like California. Her endorsement of Trump is likely to energize GOP efforts to make inroads in traditionally blue states.
Having served as the state senator and the Democrat majority leader from 2005 to 2008, Romero was the first woman to ever hold that leadership position. Her legislative career began with her election to the California State Assembly in 1998, followed by her election to the Senate in 2001, representing the 24th district. This district encompasses parts of East Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Valley. Notably, she chaired the Education Committee and was instrumental in passing the ‘parent trigger’ law in 2008, allowing parents at failing schools to decide on restructuring methods.
After being term-limited in 2010, Romero shifted her focus to the role of California State Superintendent of Public Instruction, though her campaign was unsuccessful. She has also been involved with the charter school movement, founding Scholarship Prep Charter School and leading the California chapter of Democrats for Education Reform.
Romero’s post-legislative activities include supporting educational privatization and advocating for political reform, evidenced by her support for California’s Prop. 32. In a more controversial move, she endorsed Republican Larry Elder in the unsuccessful 2021 gubernatorial recall election against Governor Gavin Newsom.
