Meeting/Event Information

Our February speaker Gloria Romero, Republican Candidate for CA Lt. Governor, is someone whose story challenges political labels and reminds us what leadership rooted in principle looks like. (Watch her launch video HERE.)

Gloria Romero served for nearly a decade in the California State Legislature, including as the first female Democratic Majority Leader of the California State Senate. She represented working-class communities in East Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Valley, always advocating for the people she served rather than the political elite, building her career on advocating for families, accountability, and opportunity.

That commitment ultimately led her to challenge her own party. While still in office, Gloria became a strong advocate for school choice, a position that put her at odds with a Democratic Party she says had become “tethered” to the powerful California Teachers Association. As she has said, “Not on my conscience. I cannot do this, I will not do it — I confronted my party back then, and I paid the price politically.”

By the time she left the legislature in 2010, she recalls being labeled “a right-wing Republican-loving, blah, blah, blah”—simply for standing up for parents and students. Over time, she watched the party move further away from working-class values and toward elite interests, leading her to make a decision grounded in conviction, not convenience.

Since joining the Republican Party, Gloria says she has been warmly embraced, and she believes her story reflects something larger happening across California. As she puts it, “There’s a lot of folks ready to come over,” and she urges Republicans to welcome them.

Her message is one of unity and renewal. “I think California’s sheen can be restored if we open up the tent, invite people to work with us in search of a common good,” she says. “There’s so much we can do together.”

Gloria Romero joins us not just as a former Senate leader, but as a voice for accountability, courage, and a growing movement of Californians willing to put the future of our children and our state ahead of party labels.

Important Note: The Country Club is renovating the ballroom, so our meetings from January through March will be at the McInnis Golf Club, 350 Smith Ranch Road, San Rafael.

Luncheon Menu: Chicken Toscana, wine mushroom and artichoke hearts sauce. The "vegetarian" choice is Grilled Salmon Salad with mango papaya salsa and greens. Cheesecake for dessert. If you want the salmon, please indicate a vegetarian menu during registration.