Gloria
Romero
Gloria Romero, former California State Senate Majority Leader, is running as a Republican for California Lieutenant Governor in 2026.
- sources
- 15
- positions
- 8
- endorsements
- 2
Background
Gloria Romero is a Republican candidate for California Lieutenant Governor in 2026, running on a platform of education reform. She describes herself as an educator and small businesswoman based in Los Angeles; her campaign notes she left the Democratic Party and became a Republican in 2024. 27
Romero previously served on the Los Angeles Community College Board of Trustees (1995–1998), in the California State Assembly beginning in 1998 (serving as Majority Whip 1998–2000), and in the California State Senate, where she represented East Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Valley and served as Senate Majority Leader from 2005 to 2008. 151410
Before and after her elected career, Romero worked as a professor at Cal State Los Angeles, where she was named Professor Emeritus, and founded and led Scholarship Prep Charter School. She holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from California State University, Long Beach, and a PhD from the University of California, Riverside. 21415
Romero grew up in Barstow, California. She is not the incumbent lieutenant governor; that office is held by someone else. Her official campaign website is gloriaromero4ltgov.com. 211
At a glance
- Party
- Republican
- Running for
- Lieutenant Governor, California
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- Educator/Small Businesswoman
- Website
- gloriaromero4ltgov.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Nov 3newsCalifornia general election scheduled; Romero faces Ma for lieutenant governor
The November 3 general election is the date on which California voters will choose between Republican Gloria Romero and Democrat Fiona Ma for lieutenant governor, succeeding termed-out Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis.
Your guide to the California lieutenant governor race: Ma vs. Romero · Oct 1, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 9newsRomero details higher-ed and workforce policies in candidate comparison piece
In a Daily News candidate comparison on college affordability and workforce development, Romero said she would cut administrative bloat, scrutinize executive compensation, expand affordable student housing, accelerate graduation, and promote remote/online courses and a 'degree guarantee.' On workforce, she discussed reducing regulatory burdens, promoting trade, and port and infrastructure investment.
California lieutenant governor candidates talk college ... · Oct 9, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 5newsRomero outlines agenda: halve state commissions, streamline regulations, fight campus antisemitism
A Sacramento Bee voter guide reported Romero's platform includes halving the number of state commissions, streamlining business regulations, and fighting antisemitism on college campuses.
Your guide to California's lieutenant governor race · Oct 5, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 1newsLA Times voter guide notes Romero campaigns alongside gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton on 'golden ticket'
The Los Angeles Times reported that Romero has campaigned alongside Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton, branding themselves a 'golden ticket,' though voters elect the offices separately.
Your guide to the California lieutenant governor race: Ma vs. Romero · Oct 1, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 30newsRomero interviewed by Spectrum News on Lt. Governor campaign priorities
Spectrum Local News featured Romero in an 'Inside the Issues' segment as part of its countdown to the midterms, covering her platform as a lieutenant governor candidate.
Inside the Issues: California Lt. Governor candidate Gloria Romero · Sep 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 25newsMercury News publishes head-to-head candidate Q&A with Ma and Romero
The Mercury News published a side-by-side candidate questionnaire in which both Fiona Ma and Gloria Romero answered questions on key issues for the lieutenant governor race.
In their words: Fiona Ma v. Gloria Romero. We asked. They answered. · Sep 25, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 25endorsementEast Bay Times endorses Fiona Ma over Romero for lieutenant governor
The East Bay Times editorial board endorsed Democrat Fiona Ma for California lieutenant governor, passing over Republican Gloria Romero.
Endorsement: Elect Fiona Ma California’s lieutenant governor · Sep 25, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 19filingRomero campaign finance report: $249,035 raised, $39,053 cash on hand through Sept. 19
Through September 19, Romero's committee reported $249,035 in contributions, $214,281 in expenditures, and $39,053 in ending cash. Romero also disclosed a $50,000 personal contribution to her own campaign.
California Lieutenant Governor 2026: Fiona Ma vs. Gloria Romero · Oct 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Aug 27filingSecretary of State certifies November candidate list; Ma and Romero listed for Lt. Governor
California's Secretary of State certified the November general election candidate list on this date, with Fiona Ma and Gloria Romero as the two candidates for lieutenant governor.
California Lieutenant Governor 2026: Fiona Ma vs. Gloria Romero · Oct 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Jun 2filingRomero finishes second in six-candidate top-two primary for Lt. Governor
In the June 2 top-two primary, Romero received 17.8% of approximately 8.5 million ballots cast, finishing second behind Democrat Fiona Ma (19.1%), advancing both to the November general election.
Your guide to the California lieutenant governor race: Ma vs. Romero · Oct 1, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Jan 1, 2024newsGloria Romero switches from Democratic to Republican Party
Romero, a former California state senator, switched her party registration from Democrat to Republican in 2024. This switch is noted across multiple voter guides covering the 2026 lieutenant governor race.
California lieutenant governor: Who's running and why it matters · Oct 4, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- California Republican Party (CAGOP) organizationListed among the CAGOP's 2026 statewide endorsements; page dated April 29, 2026, updated October 7. cagop.org · Apr 29, 2026
- Reform California organizationReform California announced its endorsement of Romero for lieutenant governor on March 19, 2026. reformcalifornia.org · Mar 19, 2026
Sources 15
- [1] California Lieutenant Governor 2026: Fiona Ma vs. Gloria Romero(opens in a new tab) Oct 11, 2026
- [2] California lieutenant governor candidates talk college ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [3] Gloria Romero, California lieutenant governor candidate, 2026 election questionnaire(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
- [4] Your guide to California's lieutenant governor race(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
- [5] California lieutenant governor: Who's running and why it matters(opens in a new tab) Oct 4, 2026
- [6] Gloria Romero for Lt. Governor(opens in a new tab) Oct 3, 2026
- [7] Your guide to the California lieutenant governor race: Ma vs. Romero(opens in a new tab) Oct 1, 2026
- [8] Inside the Issues: California Lt. Governor candidate Gloria Romero(opens in a new tab) Sep 30, 2026
- [9] Endorsement: Elect Fiona Ma California’s lieutenant governor(opens in a new tab) Sep 25, 2026
- [10] In their words: Fiona Ma v. Gloria Romero. We asked. They answered.(opens in a new tab) Sep 25, 2026
- [11] Gloria Romero — Lieutenant Governor Candidate Questionnaire ...(opens in a new tab) Jul 1, 2026
- [12] Your guide to the California lieutenant governor's race: long line to replace Eleni Kounalakis(opens in a new tab) May 1, 2026
- [13] CAGOP Endorsements - California Republican Party(opens in a new tab) Apr 29, 2026
- [14] Reform California Announces Endorsements for CA 2026 ...(opens in a new tab) Mar 19, 2026
- [15] The initiatives setting the agenda for 2026(opens in a new tab) Jan 12, 2026