A seismic shift in political allegiance comes as former California State Senate Majority Leader Gloria Romero publicly exits the Democratic Party to join the Republican counterparts.
Gloria Romero's defection is underscored by her critique of the Democratic Party and Vice President Kamala Harris, particularly regarding their handling of educational issues, Fox News reported.
In a recent appearance on "The Ingraham Angle," Romero detailed her grievances with the Democratic Party's current trajectory and policy outcomes. She roots her dissatisfaction deeply in what she perceives as the party's failure to deliver essential education reforms.
Central to Romero's discontent is Vice President Kamala Harris’ record on education during her tenure as attorney general of California. Romero criticizes Harris for not advancing school choice, which she argues is crucial for improving educational standards in underperforming areas.
Romero drew examples from Oakland, California, Kamala Harris' hometown, to highlight the deficiencies in educational outcomes despite the Vice President's influence. According to Romero, Harris allied herself with powerful teachers' unions to block meaningful educational reforms.
Romero expressed that broader national issues, such as immigration policies and crime rates, influenced the shift towards the Republican Party. She believes the current Democratic leadership handles these issues inadequately.
Recent trends suggest a growing disillusionment among Hispanic communities with the Democratic Party, with many turning to the Republican Party in response to its stance on various key issues.
The party's immigration policies have likely contributed to the evident increase in Republican engagement among Hispanic voters. The shift indicates a possible realignment of party loyalties within this significant demographic group.
Vice President Kamala Harris has participated in several public events, including a campaign rally in Savannah, Georgia, on August 29, 2024, and previously received a warm welcome at an event in Florida in August 2023. However, her public engagements have been notably fewer than those of the competing Trump-Vance ticket, and she has not held a news conference in over 50 days, fueling speculation about her visibility and engagement in critical issues.
Romero voiced her thoughts candidly, saying, "I have had enough." She continued to express a broader sentiment of disillusionment within the party:
There are so many more like me, who have been disaffected Democrats, and we do not recognize this so-called party of democracy any longer. Her record as attorney general showed that she did nothing to change the schools, to provide for school choice. In her hometown of Oakland, Calif., today, 75% of both African-American and Latino children are not reading or doing math at basic levels of proficiency, and yet, she went to court with the teachers union — very powerful big donors — to block education reforms that these families had had the courage to go to court and sue over. That is the record of the attorney general of California.
Romero's statements underline a potential shift in the political landscape, hinted also by upcoming political engagements. The presidential debate scheduled for September 10, 2024, will subject Vice President Harris' record to severe scrutiny.
Romero closed her remarks by reinforcing her view that, despite traditionally leaning Democratic, California is primed for political change. She proudly affirmed her support for Republican values, gesturing a significant ideological shift and potentially previewing shifts in other erstwhile Democratic supporters.
In conclusion, Gloria Romero's switch from the Democratic to the Republican Party is a noteworthy reflection of some voters' frustrations under the current Democratic leadership. Her pointed critique of Vice President Kamala Harris' educational policies and broader dissatisfaction with issues like immigration and crime highlights deep rifts that could influence forthcoming electoral outcomes, particularly within the Hispanic community.
