California State Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil has ditched the radical left to join the GOP, becoming the first sitting California State Senator to do so mid-term.
Elected as a Democrat in 2022, Alvarado-Gil now plans to run for re-election in 2026 as a Republican, representing a district largely made up of conservative voters in California’s Sierra and Central Valley regions.
Alvarado-Gil’s decision stems from what she describes as deep disillusionment with the direction of the Democrat Party in recent years.
In her first interview since the switch, she told The Issue Is host Elex Michaelson that the party has drifted too far to the left, abandoning the middle-class values and diversity that she believes are essential to the Californian identity.
Watch:
EXCLUSIVE: California Sen. Marie Alvarado-Gil is SWITCHING PARTIES from Democrat to Republican. She's giving her first interview to @TheIssueIsShow
— Elex Michaelson (@Elex_Michaelson) August 9, 2024
"Seeing how the inner workings of the majority party work in Sacramento, I have to step back & say is this good?…My answer is… pic.twitter.com/CXyLyqs5Tz
Alvarado-Gil also issued a statement to POLITICO:
Statement from Marie Alvarado-Gil on switching to the Republican Party.
— Lara Korte (@lara_korte) August 8, 2024
“The status quo under a supermajority Democratic rule in the legislature is simply not working for this state.” #caleg pic.twitter.com/xmKvr5l9Xu
Democrat State Senate Pro Tem Mike McGuire released a statement describing Alvarado-Gil’s party switch “disappointing for voters.”
Probably not though, as her district leans Republican.
Statement from CA Senate's Democratic leader @ilike_mike
— Ashley Zavala (@ZavalaA) August 8, 2024
"This is disappointing for voters who elected Senator Alvarado-Gil as a Democrat. They trusted her to represent them, and she’s betrayed that trust. Senate Democrats will continue to work on their behalf and deliver results…
State Senate Republican Minority Leader Brian Jones welcomed Alvarado-Gil’s decision to switch parties.
Welcome Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil to the Senate Republican Caucus.
It takes courage to stand up to the supermajority in California and Marie has what it takes. Her record on tackling crime, protecting communities from sexually violent predators, and prioritizing her constituents speaks for itself.
Senate Republicans are committed to addressing the real issues facing communities across the state and look forward to adding an eager spit fire like Marie to the cause.
It’s no secret that California’s political landscape is heavily weighted to the left, but with increasing attention on issues worsened by Democrat policies, we can continue making strides in our fight.
The pendulum is swinging in this great state. If we’re going to fix California, we need pragmatic leaders like Marie who have seen firsthand the impact of the supermajority’s policies on communities and want to change it for the better.
For anyone else who might be tired of witnessing the supermajority run this state into the ground, we have a seat at our table for you, too.
Welcome Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil to the Senate Republican Caucus.
— Brian W. Jones (@SenBrianJones) August 9, 2024
It takes courage to stand up to the supermajority in California and Marie has what it takes. Her record on tackling crime, protecting communities from sexually violent predators, and prioritizing her…
