Last week, a Democrat representing Houston in the Texas legislature switched parties, and now an influential Democrat from California is following suit.
Former California State Senate leader Gloria Romero announced this week that she is leaving the Democratic Party and endorsing former President Donald Trump.
“The Republican Party, under Donald Trump, has become the champion of working people,” Romero said at the state capitol in Sacramento.
Romero, the first woman to serve as majority leader in the California State Senate, made it crystal clear she will be voting for Trump in November. (RELATED: GOP Registering More New Voters Than Dems In Crucial Swing State)
The Los Angeles Daily News reports:
Romero represented the 24th District, which included sections of East Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Valley. She made her announcement in a news conference at the state Capitol, while surrounded by California GOP Chair Jessica Millan Patterson, Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-Rocklin), Assembly Minority Leader James Gallagher (R-Yuba City) and conservative political commentator Steve Hilton.
“Today I say ‘goodbye, adios,' I've had enough. I am now another near-lifelong Democrat who is joining the growing number of people … who are leaving the Democratic Party,” she said. “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.” (RELATED: Less Than 30% Of Voters In Key Swing State Say They're Better Off Under Biden-Harris Admin)
Her announcement was met with praise from fellow golden state GOPers and cynicism from regional Democrats who pointed to the fact that Romero already came out as red when she endorsed Republican candidate Larry Elder for Governor in 2021.
“We knew then about Gloria what California Republicans know best: the grift is real,” said Mark Gonzalez, former chair of the LA County Democratic Party. “While Republicans are catching up to years-old news, trying to stay relevant, Democrats have been working to keep them from hurting the same communities that Gloria used to champion.”
Drexel Heard, former executive director of the L.A. County Democratic Party, make a similar observation on X, remarking “Republicans are so desperate for any news, they have to drudge up old news to stay relevant.”
Last Friday, Texas State Rep. Shawn Thierry also announced her decision to leave the Democratic Party.
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Excellent, Gloria!
Bring all your family and friends with you!