UPDATE: 9:15 p.m. PST below: Confidential sources at the State Capitol confirm to the Globe that California State Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil is leaving the Democratic Party and changing her party affiliation to the Republicans.
Alvarado-Gil was a very interesting politician to watch in committees and in the Senate. She was unafraid to confront the progressives in her party on important issues like education and crime – issues that make the state’s voters wonder how Democrats can be so tone deaf to the state’s failing schools and rising crime.
In 2023, Alvarado-Gil sponsored Senate Bill 832 by Senator Brian Jones (R-San Diego), which would help prevent the secret release of sexually violent offenders (SVPs) in communities across the state.
“Co-authoring SB 832 is a no-brainer – we should not allow repeat offenders charged with sexually violent crimes to be secretly released into a community,” noted Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil (D-Jackson). “Many communities across our state, including those located in rural and Native American areas, may not have the police presence necessary to keep their community safe from these violent sex offenders. I support allowing state hospitals to have a say in how best to house their patients. I applaud Minority Leader Jones’ stance in representing communities that may not have the resources to responsibly house some of the most vulnerable individuals.”
The other aspect of Alvarado-Gil’s decision to leave the Democratic Party at this time is that she is not doing so immediately before the filing deadline in 2026, or as Rep. Brian Maienschein did when he was elected to his fourth term and changed his party affiliation from Republican to Democrat immediately after his election.
California State Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil was elected in 2022 and represents Placer, El Dorado, Amador, Alpine, Calaveras, Tuolumne, Mariposa, Stanislaus, Madera, Merced, Mono, Nevada and Inyo counties.
UPDATE:
Moments ago, Senate Minority Leader Brian W. Jones and California Republican Party Chair Jessica Millan Patterson released a joint statement welcoming Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil to the Senate Republican Caucus and the California Republican Party, while announcing her resignation from the Senate Democratic Caucus and her change of party.
“From my first day in office, I have put the interests of my constituents first. I was elected to serve the public, not a political ideology,” Alvarado-Gil said. “The status quo under a two-thirds Democratic majority in the legislature simply does not work for this state. After careful consideration, I am announcing that I will join the Republican Senate Caucus and the California Republican Party in their fight to improve the situation in California.”
“Since serving in our state Capitol, I have witnessed firsthand how the overwhelming majority pushed California in the wrong direction, with serious implications for our once golden state. The Democratic Party is unrecognizable from what I once knew and lacks the will to solve the problems plaguing this state. I cannot support a party that ignores the will of the people and disregards the fundamental American values that my community supports and believes in.”
“It takes courage to stand up against the overwhelming majority in California, and Marie has what it takes,” said House Speaker Brian Jones. “Her record of fighting crime, protecting communities from sexually violent predators, and prioritizing her constituents speaks for itself. Senate Republicans are committed to tackling the real problems facing communities across the state and look forward to bringing a zealous fighter like Marie to the cause.”
This is a developing story and will be updated.
ANOTHER UPDATE:
Wow. When there is a party change, the rats come out of their holes.
The Globe understands there is a nasty backroom deal in place with the Third House and Senator Alvarado-Gil to prevent another Republican from running for the Fourth Senate District.
Meanwhile, the Globe received the following, which questions Senator Alvarado-Gil’s credibility:
Rep. Bill Essayli posted this on X/Twitter:
The Globe can report that @ChefJeramy is police chief of the city of Livermore.
AND ANOTHER UPDATE:
This tweet:
UPDATE 9:15pm PST:
The story of Alvarado and Gil switching parties continues to look like a well-orchestrated plot. The Globe was supposed to speak to Senate Republican Leader Brian Jones tonight. Instead, we get these latest headlines:
- CAGOP, Chairman Jones announces the admission of Senator Alvarado-Gil into the Republican Party and the Republican Senate Caucus
- Gallagher welcomes Senator Alvarado-Gil to the Republicans in Parliament
We will continue to update this story.
