Gloria J. Romero(born July 10, 1955) is a former California State Senator from 2001 until 2010 and was theDemocraticmajority leaderof theCalifornia State Senatefrom 2005 until 2008. She was the first woman to hold that leadership position. In 2024, she joined the Republican Party.[1]
Gloria Romero | |
|---|---|
 Romero in 2006 | |
| Majority Leader of theCalifornia Senate | |
| In office 2005–2008 | |
| Preceded by | Don Perata |
| Succeeded by | Dean Florez |
| Member of theCalifornia State Senate from the24thdistrict | |
| In office March 12, 2001 – November 30, 2010 | |
| Preceded by | Hilda Solis |
| Succeeded by | Edward Hernández |
| Member of theCalifornia State Assembly from the49thdistrict | |
| In office December 7, 1998 – March 12, 2001 | |
| Preceded by | Diane Martinez |
| Succeeded by | Judy Chu |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 10, 1955 Barstow, California,U.S. |
| Political party | Republican(2024–present) |
| Other political affiliations | Democratic(before 2024) |
| Children | 1 |
| Alma mater | California State University, Long Beach(B.A. and M.A.) University of California, Riverside(PhD) |
| Profession | Professor, politician |
Early life and career
editRomero grew up inBarstow,one of six children. Her father worked in the railroad yards and her mother, who left school after sixth grade, stayed home and raised the kids. Romero received herassociate's degreefromBarstow Community Collegebefore going on to earn aB.A.and anM.A.fromCalifornia State University, Long Beachand aPh.D.inpsychologyfrom theUniversity of California, Riverside.
She taught as aprofessorat state universities and served as a trustee and vice president of the board of trustees ofLos Angeles Community College District.[citation needed]
Legislative career
editShe was elected to theCalifornia State Assemblyin 1998 and to the Senate in 2001. Romero represented the24th district,which includedEast Los Angeles,portions of the city of Los Angeles, as well as a major part of theSan Gabriel Valley,including the cities ofAzusa,Baldwin Park,Covina,Duarte,El Monte,City of Industry,Irwindale,La Puente,Monterey Park,Rosemead,West CovinaandWhittier.
In 2008, Romero stepped down as Majority Leader and became chairman of the Education Committee.[2]In that position she authored and guided to passage a fiercely contested[3]‘parent trigger’ law which allows a majority of parents in a "failing school" to vote on a method to restructure the school.[4]
Romero was term-limited in 2010.[2]
Campaign for State Superintendent of Public Instruction
editFollowing U.S. RepresentativeHilda Solis's December 2008 selection to becomeU.S. Secretary of Laborby President-electBarack Obama(and expected subsequent confirmation), Romero indicated strong interest in running in thespecial election for California's 32nd congressional districtto replace her,[5]but later chose to run for the nonpartisanCalifornia State Superintendent of Public Instructioninstead.[6]Romero was supported by advocates ofcharter schools,while her two major opponents were supported by teachers unions and school administrators, respectively.[7][8][9]Eventually, Romero finished third, receiving 17.0% of the vote in a crowded 12-person field.[10]
Post-legislative career and charter school industry support
editRomero led the California chapter ofDemocrats for Education Reform,a reform wing of the Democratic Party supporting privatization of public schools. In the 2012 election, she supported California'sProp. 32that would bar workers from donating to their unions' Political Action Committees (PACs) using payroll deductions.[2]She founded Scholarship Prep Charter School, which enrolls TK-8th grade students in low income communities.
In the unsuccessful2021 California gubernatorial recall election,she endorsed RepublicanLarry Elderas a replacement candidate for Democratic governorGavin Newsomin spite of saying that she "disagrees with just about everything that Larry Elder stands for".[11]
As a public university professor in California, she is a member of theCalifornia Faculty Association.[citation needed]
On September 4, 2024, Romero left the Democratic Party and joined the Republican Party.[12]She gave many reasons for her switch in parties including the Democratic Party's positions on crime, gender identity, COVID-19 lockdowns, gas stoves and school choice which she disagrees with. In a press conference, Romero endorsedDonald Trumpin the 2024 election and offered praise forRobert F. Kennedy Jr.,calling him a "personal hero".[13]
References
edit- ^Harter, Clara (September 4, 2024)."Gloria Romero, former Democratic State Senate leader, joins Republican Party".Los Angeles Daily News.
- ^abcFinley, Allysia,"Gloria Romero: The Trials of a Democratic Reformer",Wall Street Journal,August 31, 2012. Retrieved 2012-09-03.
- ^Libby, Ken,"How to Buy a Candidate: Gloria Romero for CA Superintendent of Public Instruction",SchoolsMatterblog, March 08, 2010. Retrieved 2012-09-03.
- ^O'Connor, John,"Q & A: Gloria Romero, Author Of California’s ‘Parent Trigger’ Law",StateImpact(local public media andNPR), February 2, 2012. Retrieved 2012-09-03.
- ^Morain, Dan (December 18, 2008)."Obama's pick of Hilda Solis for Labor prompts some to eye her House seat".Los Angeles Times.Retrieved19 December2008.
- ^ Larrubia, Evelyn (January 8, 2009)."Gloria Romero will not seek congressional seat".Los Angeles Times.Retrieved4 February2009.
- ^Dan Smith; Torey Van Oot (June 2, 2010)."The Buzz: Money, endorsements rolling in to replace California schools chief".Sacramento Bee.Retrieved14 July2010.
- ^Patrick Range McDonald (June 3, 2010)."Gloria Romero's Race to the Top".LA Weekly.Retrieved14 July2010.
- ^Patrick Range McDonald (June 8, 2010)."Special Interests Spend Heavily on California Superintendent of Public Instruction Race".LA Weekly.Archived fromthe originalon 27 January 2013.Retrieved14 July2010.
- ^"Secretary of State June 8, 2010 Primary Election--Superintendent of Public Education - Statewide Results".Archived fromthe originalon July 14, 2010.RetrievedJuly 14,2010.
- ^"Column: Why this Democrat is backing Larry Elder for governor".Los Angeles Times.Aug 31, 2021.Retrieved14 September2021.
- ^https:// newsweek /democrat-lawmaker-switches-republican-voting-trump-1949117
- ^"Former California Democratic Senate leader goes full MAGA, calls RFK Jr a 'personal hero'".The Sacramento Bee.5 September 2024.Retrieved5 September2024.
External links
edit- Democrats for Education Reform(official website)
- Gloria RomeroatBallotpedia
- Join California Gloria Romero