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From the Washington Examiner: A former California Democratic state Senate leader has defected to the Republican Party.
Former California State Senate Democratic Majority Leader Gloria Romero announced her decision at a press conference hosted by Republican commentator Steve Hilton, who livestreamed it on his X account. She was joined by several leading Republican legislators.
“In this Capitol behind me, I served as both Senate Democratic Caucus chair and the Senate majority leader. But today I say goodbye. Adios! I’ve had enough,” she said.
Romero recalled her role as the Democratic convention delegate for the Rev. Jesse Jackson, then for former President Barack Obama at three separate conventions. She said her heroes growing up were Democratic titans Franklin D. Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, and Robert F. Kennedy.
Romero, 69, served in the California state senate from 1998 to 2021. She was the
Democratic majority leader of the California Senate from 2005 until 2008, and was the first woman to ever hold that position in the state.
“This is not the Democratic Party that I once championed,” she said. “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.”
She slammed the Democrats over a number of issues, including women’s rights, criticizing the undermining of Title IX protections, and going too far on abortion. Immigration, crime, and the rising cost of living.
“I stayed for as long as I could. I tried reforms, I spoke out, I voted. Today, I turn to the future. A land of opportunity and free speech. I am excited to join a party that was started by the greatest American, Abraham Lincoln, and the challenges of building a new great republic,” Romero said.
BREAKING: Former Democratic Majority Leader Gloria Romero has switched parties to become a Republican 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/Iym2xFlbX7
— The Steve Hilton Show (@SteveHiltonShow) September 4, 2024
U.S. Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-Calif.) announced, “Today I joined Gloria Romero, the former Democrat Majority Leader of the California State Senate, for an important announcement. She is joining the Republican Party. A coalition for common sense is emerging in California.”
Today I joined Gloria Romero, the former Democrat Majority Leader of the California State Senate, for an important announcement. She is joining the Republican Party.
A coalition for common sense is emerging in California.
— Kevin Kiley (@KevinKileyCA) September 4, 2024
BREAKING: Gloria Romero, the former Democrat Majority Leader of the California State Senate, announces that she is leaving the Democratic Party and joining the Republican Party. pic.twitter.com/kmImqJOInt
— Ian Jaeger (@IanJaeger29) September 4, 2024
Former Democratic CA Senate Majority Leader Gloria Romero announces she’s changing her voter registration from Dem to Republican.
On Dem Party she says “I think it’s taken a giant leap toward authoritarianism and censorship.”
She says she will vote for Trump this fall. pic.twitter.com/9t0gZteb01
— Ashley Zavala (@ZavalaA) September 4, 2024
Below is a video of Romero’s entire announcement, as livestreamed by Steve Hilton.
Sept. 4th Announcement https://t.co/A2YPsKaZ7K
— steve hilton (@SteveHiltonx) September 4, 2024
Afterwards, Hilton posted a photo of himself holding a sign that reads, “California Revolution.”
— steve hilton (@SteveHiltonx) September 4, 2024
Romero spoke out in an interview with Fox Business host Maria Bartiromo last month, and said, “This is not the party that I first ran in as a Democrat.”
PARTY’S OVER: Former California Senate Majority Leader Gloria Romero (D) tells @ Maria Bartiromo why she doesn’t recognize her own party anymore. See the full interview: https://t.co/QBgxkHvTQf pic.twitter.com/3uKa5LRw1p
— FOX Business (@FoxBusiness) August 3, 2024
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