Sen. Marie Alvarado-Gil is defecting from the Democratic party, announcing Thursday that she will caucus with Republicans in the Legislature.
While her switch to the Republican Party is unlikely to make much of an impact in Sacramento, it may turn out to be a shrewd move for her reelection campaign in two years.
The big picture: Following multiple reports Thursday afternoon saying that Alvarado-Gil’s switch was imminent, she released a statement confirming the move.
- KCRA reported that Democratic Senators held an emergency caucus meeting late Thursday to discuss Alvarado-Gil’s departure.
What she’s saying: Alvarado-Gil said she has put the interests of her constituents first and was elected to serve the public, not a political ideology.
- “The status quo under a supermajority Democratic rule in the legislature is simply not working for this state,” Alvarado-Gil said. “It is after deep reflection I announce that I will be joining the Senate Republican Caucus and the California Republican Party in their fight to Fix California.”
- She added that the Democratic Party has pushed California in the wrong direction, “having a grave effect on our once Golden state.”
- “The Democratic Party is unrecognizable to what I once knew and lacks the will to fix the problems plaguing this state,” Alvarado-Gil said. “I cannot stand by a party that ignores the will of the people and disregards the core American values that my very community supports and believes in.”
The other side: “This is disappointing for voters who elected Senator Alvarado-Gil as a Democrat,” said State Senate Pro Tem Mike McGuire (D–Geyserville) in a statement. “They trusted her to represent them, and she’s betrayed that trust. Senate Democrats will continue to work on their behalf and deliver results for rural California. One silver lining is MAGA Republicans are gaining a pro-choice, pro-LGBTQ+ rights, anti-Trump colleague. We wish her the best of luck.”
State of play: The Democratic supermajority in the Senate will remain despite Alvarado-Gil’s defection, with Democrats now having 31 out of 40 Senators.
What we’re watching: Alvarado-Gil may have boosted her 2026 reelection chances by switching parties.
- Senate District 4, which is largely rural, covers parts of Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Inyo, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Mono, Nevada, Placer, Stanislaus and Tuolumne counties.
- Republicans hold a voter registration edge in the district at 39 percent, compared to 34 percent for Democrats.
- Two years ago three Republicans split the vote in the primary, allowing Alvarado-Gil and another Democrat to advance to the general election in California’s top-two primary system.
- Earlier Thursday, Livermore Police Chief Jeramy Young, a Republican, launched his campaign for Senate District 4.
- Young may have been the early favorite to oust Alvarado-Gil from office given the district’s Republican majority, but Alvarado-Gil’s switch might secure her reelection in two years.
