A longtime former California Democratic legislative leader, Gloria Romero, publicly declared on Wednesday that she no longer identifies with her party, saying she can no longer “recognize” it. Despite her departure, she emphasized her admiration for some of the party’s historical figures, including former President John F. Kennedy, whom she still considers one of her “heroes.”
Romero, who served as the state Senate majority leader for three years during her decade-long tenure in Sacramento, expressed deep frustration with the current state of the Democratic Party. She criticized its direction and policies, which she believes are no longer aligned with the values that once defined it.
Romero also highlighted her past involvement in the party, having been a delegate to the Democratic National Convention for both Jesse Jackson and Senator Barack Obama. However, she pointed out that many Latinos and Latinas, like herself, are now leaving the Democratic Party for similar reasons, feeling disillusioned by its current path.
In a strong parting statement, Romero announced her decision to break away from the party, saying, “Today, I say ‘Goodbye – adios’ — I’ve had enough.” The former lawmaker from the San Gabriel Valley made it clear that her departure is a result of profound dissatisfaction with the party she once supported.
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“I am now one of the many lifelong Democrats who have decided to leave the party,” said Gloria Romero, a former California Senate majority leader. “Today, I am officially joining the Republican Party to contribute to making America great again, and I am ready to play my part as the country prepares for the upcoming elections.” Romero noted that she had received a warm and welcoming response from individuals who were once her political opponents.
Romero explained that her departure from the Democratic Party stemmed from her belief that it had shifted towards “authoritarianism and censorship,” echoing a warning from former President Ronald Reagan, who cautioned that if fascism ever took root in America, it would do so under the guise of liberalism.
As a feminist and former professor, Romero expressed alarm at the changes in societal discourse, stating, “It is terrifying to see how language has been altered to the point where I would be criticized for saying that I can define what a woman is and distinguish between biological sex and gender identity.”
She also expressed her disapproval of the Democratic Party’s stance on abortion. “While I remain pro-choice, I cannot support a party that advocates for abortion up to full term,” she said. “As a mother, I refuse to adopt the label of ‘birthing person.’” Her remarks reflected a broader disillusionment with the direction the party has taken on key social issues.
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“The Republican Party has now emerged as the party of peace, while the Democrats have drifted towards a path of endless war,” said Gloria Romero, expressing her frustration with the Democratic Party’s current stance on foreign policy.
Romero also criticized the environmental policies advocated by the Green movement within the Democratic Party, particularly targeting their push for stricter regulations on household appliances. She highlighted her opposition with a personal example, humorously stating, “As a Latina, I refuse to give up my gas stove; you can’t toast a tortilla on an electric range.”
Speaking on the steps of the State Capitol in Sacramento, Romero formally declared her allegiance to the Republican Party, citing former President Donald Trump as her reason. She described Trump as the true champion of the working class and praised his ability to lead a “big tent” movement reminiscent of Ronald Reagan’s vision.
Romero made it clear that her support for Trump is unwavering, announcing, “I will be casting my vote for Donald Trump this fall.”
In response to her announcement, Democratic officials in Los Angeles downplayed the significance of her departure, dismissing it as “old news.”
Mark Gonzalez, the former chairman of the Los Angeles County Democratic Party, responded to Gloria Romero’s departure with sharp criticism, telling the Los Angeles Daily News, “We knew then about Gloria what California Republicans know best: the grift is real.” Another former Democratic Party staffer took to X (formerly Twitter) to claim that the GOP was “drudging up old news to stay relevant.”
Despite the pushback from Democratic figures, Romero’s switch to the Republican Party has been met with open arms from GOP leaders. State Sen. Brian W. Jones, R-San Diego, the top Republican in the California Senate, praised Romero for her courage in leaving the Democratic Party. In a statement obtained by TV5s Digital, Jones remarked that Romero had made several attempts to “wake up” the Democratic Party to its increasing shift leftward, but was ultimately unsuccessful.
Jones went on to commend her leadership, stating, “Her leadership and experience have always been about serving the people, not partisan politics. It takes real courage to step away from the party you’ve led and stand for what is right.” He pointed to California’s ongoing challenges, such as high living costs, rising crime, and homelessness, as evidence of a “broken government” in need of reform.
Romero isn’t the only Democratic politician to switch parties recently. State Sen. Marie Alvarado-Gil of Jackson also joined the GOP in early August. At the time of her switch, Alvarado-Gil expressed similar sentiments to Romero, stating that the Democratic Party had become “unrecognizable” and no longer had the will to address the critical issues facing the state.
