California Senator Switches to Republican Party

California Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil has officially announced her departure from the Democratic Party to join the Republican Party, as confirmed by the state GOP on Thursday. In her statement, Alvarado-Gil emphasized her commitment to prioritizing the needs of her constituents over political ideologies, criticizing the current Democratic supermajority in the legislature for failing to address the state's challenges. She expressed her intention to collaborate with the Senate Republican Caucus to enact meaningful changes in California. Alvarado-Gil, who has gained recognition for her tough-on-crime stance and fiscally conservative views, has previously aligned with Republicans on various labor legislation. Her switch increases the Republican representation in the 40-member Senate to nine votes, while Democrats maintain supermajorities in both the Assembly and Senate. This shift is significant as it reflects the changing political landscape in California, particularly in her conservative-leaning district. Democratic Senate President Pro Tem Mike McGuire expressed disappointment over Alvarado-Gil's decision, noting that voters elected her in 2022 with certain expectations. However, he acknowledged a potential upside, suggesting that her move could bring a pro-choice, pro-LGBTQ+ rights perspective to the Republican side. Alvarado-Gil, who won her 2022 election by a margin of over 5 percentage points against a progressive opponent, represents a district that has seen a rise in Republican voter registration since her election. She is not scheduled for reelection until 2026.