On September 4th, Gloria Romero, the former Democratic leader of the California State Senate, held a press conference in front of the State Capitol building to announce her decision to join the Republican Party. The event was attended by Kevin Kiley, the U.S. Congressman for the 3rd District, and James Gallaher, the Minority Leader of the State Assembly.
In 2010, while serving as the Chair of the State Senate Education Committee, Romero led the passage of a “Parent Trigger” law that allowed parents to vote on restructuring failing schools, such as converting them into charter schools. This made California the first state in the U.S. to pass a “Parent Trigger” law, with over twenty other states following suit.
“My biggest disagreement with the old party lies in school choice, educational freedom, and the right for everyone to have access to quality schools,” Romero stated. She continued, “Congressman Kiley has been fighting alongside me, especially advocating for the rights of underprivileged and minority children trapped in long-term failing schools to choose their education.”
Romero noted that an increasing number of people, including Latino voters, are leaving the Democratic Party. She said, “This is not the Democratic Party I once supported. I no longer recognize it and cannot continue on. As the sun rises today, I have changed my voter registration.”
Romero earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in literature from California State University, Long Beach, and a Ph.D. in psychology from the University of California, Riverside. She has served as a professor at the state university and as a director and vice chair of the Los Angeles Community College District Board of Trustees. Previously a member of the Democratic Party, Romero was elected as the State Assembly member for the 49th District in 1998, served as the State Senator for the 24th District from 2001-2010, and held positions as the Senate Democratic Caucus Chair and Senate Majority Leader from 2005-2008.