Why I Left The Democrats: Gloria Romero On California's Political & Education Crisis

Guest: 

Gloria Romero - Former California Senate Majority Leader

Guest Bio

Gloria Romero is the former Majority Leader of the California State Senate and a long-time advocate for education reform. With a PhD in psychology and her fearless approach, she has challenged powerful special interests from inside and outside the Capitol. In 2023, she made headlines by switching from Democrat to Republican, publicly endorsing Trump, and speaking out about the dysfunction in both Sacramento and the national Democratic Party.

Romero is also the architect of the Parent Trigger Law and the Romero Open Enrollment Act, empowering parents in failing districts to fight for better education options. Today, she continues to lead conversations around public accountability, school choice, and breaking the monopoly of the teachers’ unions on California’s education system.

Show Summary

Gloria Romero is no stranger to controversy — and in this episode, she brings the fire. From walking away from the Democratic Party to calling out the teachers’ union grip on California schools, Romero unpacks why she left, what she’s fighting for, and how parents can reclaim control of a broken system.

She reflects on her political awakening, the moment she saw the party’s values slip away, and the blowback that followed her switch. Romero also breaks down why only 8% of Black fourth graders in California read at grade level — and why it's not about race but about a system built to serve adults over students. This is a must-watch for anyone who cares about education, political courage, and the future of California.

Chapters

00:00 – Leaving the Democratic Party: The Awakening

02:15 – Gloria Romero's Background in Politics & Education

04:30 – How Party Elites Rigged the Primary (Clooney, Pelosi, Schumer)

06:40 – Why Other Legislators Don’t Speak Up

08:20 – The Teachers’ Union’s Grip on California

10:05 – Education in Crisis: Just 8% of Black Students Proficient in Reading

12:14 – Why the System Is Built for Adults, Not Students

14:02 – CEQA for Schools: Bureaucracy Over Kids

15:55 – Rebuilding Accountability and Real Governance

18:30 – The Parent Trigger Law: Why It’s Been Neutered

20:15 – Homeschooling, Charter Schools & Parental Rights

22:40 – Advice for Parents and Citizens: Take Action Now

25:02 – Gloria’s Vision for a Better California

27:30 – Rapid Fire: Dictator for a Day, Leaders She Respects, & What Gives Her Hope

Connect with Sen. Gloria Romero

• X: https://x.com/GloriaJRomero
• Website: https://publicpolicy.pepperdine.edu/academics/faculty/gloria-romero/

Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn with the hashtag #stateofgoldpodcast

Connect with State of Gold

• X: https://x.com/realjonslavet
• Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofgold/about
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofgoldpodcast/?hl=en
• Website: www.stateofgold.com