Gloria Romero’s Unconventional Bid for California Lieutenant Governor

by Roger Riffenburgh

Gloria Romero has never been shy about upsetting the status quo. A nationally recognized leader on education reform and school choice, she is running for lieutenant governor of California in the 2026 election, bringing decades of political experience to a highly competitive race. Romero is running to continue her fight for quality education, as well as to reduce our state’s cost of living so that we can restore opportunity, affordability, and the California Dream.

Romero’s political journey is unusual in two important ways. She had served as Majority Leader of the California Senate from 2005 to 2008 – as a Democrat. Romero left the Democrats in September of 2024 and joined the Republican Party, citing deep disagreements with the Democratic leadership on a range of issues, including education policy, public safety, and abandonment of working families. Secondly, she is running in partnership with Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton, in what is called the “Golden Ticket” — a bid to end one-party Democratic dominance in Sacramento and bring a new approach to state government.

At the heart of Gloria Romero’s campaign is a message of accountability and reform. Her platform is built on the same “disruptor” energy that characterized her legislative career. Her primary focus areas include:

Education Reform: Romero advocates for universal school choice and increased accountability in public education, arguing that ZIP codes should not determine a child’s future.

Economic Relief: She is pushing for housing reform and tax relief to address California’s cost-of-living crisis.

Public Safety: She has been vocal about shifting state policy toward tougher stances on crime.

The lieutenant governor of California has various responsibilities, including acting as governor when the governor is out of state, and serving as president of the state Senate. The latter role is usually just ceremonial, except when it’s necessary to break a tie vote in the senate. The lieutenant governor also sits on several powerful boards and commissions—most notably the University of California Board of Regents, the California State University Board of Trustees, and the State Lands Commission—giving the position real influence over higher education and state land use.

Gloria Romero grew up in Barstow as 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 her associate’s degree from Barstow Community College before going on to earn a B.A. and an M.A. from California State University, Long Beach and a Ph.D. in psychology from the UC Riverside. She taught as a professor at Cal State Los Angeles.

After entering elective politics, Romero served as a Los Angeles Community College trustee and LA Charter Reform commissioner. She was elected to the state assembly as a Democrat in 1998 and the state senate in 2001. Her district included East Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Valley. She rose to prominence as the first woman to serve as Majority Leader of the California Senate, a position she held from 2005 to 2008, and earned a reputation as a fierce advocate for education reform.

Since terming out in 2010, she has been working in educational reform and supporting charter schools. Learn more about Gloria Romero’s campaign on her website, where you can also see her impactful two-minute video. She will be speaking to Republican women in San Rafael on February 10; see the BayAreaGOP event list for details.