Former California Democratic state Senator Gloria Romero appeared on cable news on Wednesday to discuss Vice President Kamala Harris’ visit and the latest on the border crisis.
Romero, a longtime Democratic legislative leader, announced she no longer “recognizes her party” while noting she still considers various Dem historical figures, including former President John F. Kennedy, her “heroes.”
The former leader served as state Senate majority leader for three years of her over 10-year Sacramento stint and slammed the current state of her former party.
Romero stated she had been a delegate to the Democratic National Convention for Senator Barack Obama and Jesse Jackson. She added that many Latinas and Latinos are leaving the party for similar reasons.
“Today, I say ‘Goodbye — adios’ — I’ve had enough,” said the former San Gabriel Valley legislator in her announcement.
“I am now another near-lifelong Democrat who is joining the growing number of people … who are leaving the Democratic Party. Today, I join the Republican Party to make America great again, and I am ready to do my part as American prepares to vote,” said Romero, adding she has received a warm welcome from her one-time political opposition.
Romero claimed she couldn’t stand by as Dems took “a giant leap to authoritarianism [and] censorship” and noted former President Ronald Reagan warned that if fascism increased in the United States, it would come under the guise of liberalism.
“It is terrifying to see how language has been modified so that, as a feminist and a former professor … I would be condemned for saying that I can define a woman and distinguish between biological sex and gender identity,” said Romero.
“While I am pro-choice, I will not support a party that advocates for abortion to full term. I am a mother and refuse to call myself a ‘birthing person.'”
“The Republican Party has become the party of peace while the Democrats have marched towards endless war,” explained Romero.
She also aimed at the Democratic Party’s Green movement and voiced opposition to regulation on appliances.
“[A]s a Latina; I will not give up my gas stove; you cannot toast a tortilla on an electric range,” quipped Romero.
Romero says she aligns with the GOP under Trump
Standing on the steps of the Sacramento State Capitol, Romero said she officially aligns with the Republicans under former President Donald Trump, who she said is a true champion of working individuals and the Reaganesque “big tent.”
“I will vote for Donald Trump this fall,” stated Romero.
When asked about Romero’s move, Los Angeles Democratic officials dismissed her announcement as “old news.”
“We knew then about Gloria what California Republicans know best: the grift is real,” said former chairman of the country party, Mark Gonzalez, to the Los Angeles Daily News.
Another former party staffer said on X that the GOP is “drudg[ing] up old news to stay relevant.”
GOP Senator Brian W. Jones of San Diego, the top Republican in the state’s chamber, welcomed Romero to the party and said that Romero had unsuccessfully attempted to “wake up” her former party to its far-left shift.
“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,” said Jones.
“The pendulum is swinging in California — sky-high prices, increasing crime, and record homelessness are the direct results of a broken government …”
Current state Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil of Jackson also switched to the Republican party in early August.
At that time, Alvarado-Gil stated her former party is also “unrecognizable” and “lacks the will to fix the problems plaguing the state.”
