Sen. Marie Alvarado-Gil (R–Jackson) is under fire from her former party for comments she made on X regarding a colleague in what amounted to be an “online racist attack.”
Senate President Pro Tempore Mike McGuire (D–North Coast) issued a statement on Tuesday condemning the former Democratic lawmaker for her comments about Majority Leader Lena Gonzalez (D–Long Beach).
Driving the news: Alvarado-Gil posted on X on Monday that Gonzalez, the California Latino Legislative Caucus Senate Chair, tried to kick her out of the Senate break room.
- She referred to Gonzalez as “Grand Wizard,” the title of the leader of the Ku Klux Klan.
- “We are on day 1 of the new session and Grand Wizard Gonzalez of the Latino Caucus is already in my face. She tried to kick me out of the Senate break room so she could have ‘privacy’. Uhhh nope. I am a CA State Senator just….like….you…ni que fuera tu pendeja #PowerTakeBackCA,” Alvarado-Gil posted.
- In a follow up post, Alvarado-Gil referred to Gonzalez as “the grand wizard of the Latino KLAUCUS.”
- “It looks like the grand wizard of the Latino KLAUCUS Gonzalez doesn’t like being called out on her shocking behavior. She even went as far as to ‘put me on notice’ and challenge me to ‘ take it outside’ #PowerTakeBackCA,” she posted.
What they’re saying: McGuire issued a statement saying Alvarado-Gil’s “online racist attack” targeting Gonzalez was “abhorrent and must be condemned in the strongest possible terms by both sides of the aisle.
- “There is absolutely no excuse for a member of the California Legislature to invoke one of the worst terror organizations in our nation’s history,” McGuire said. “Words have meaning, and her hate speech is downright dangerous. Senator Alvarado-Gil has enough troubles as it is and she has crossed yet another line, which will not be tolerated. She owes Senator Gonzalez and the people of California a public apology for her hate-filled tirade.”
- Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones (R–Santee) released a statement Tuesday saying racism and personal attacks have no place in political discourse.
- “Yesterday’s conflict stems from a history of ongoing tensions between some members that have escalated since Senator Alvarado-Gil switched parties. While emotions ran high, I urge all members to resolve workplace conflicts privately and professionally,” Jones said. “As one legislative body, I strongly encourage us to return in January with a renewed focus on collaboration and a commitment to avoid fueling divisive politics.”
Zoom out: Alvarado-Gil left the Democratic Party in August to caucus with Republicans in the Senate. At the time, she said the supermajority Democratic rule in California is simply not working.
- But the last few months have not been without controversy for Alvarado-Gil as she faces a sexual harassment lawsuit from her former chief of staff.
