Northern California state senator switches to Republican Party after years as a Democrat

California Sen. Marie Alvarado-Gil is leaving the Democratic Party to join Republicans in California, the state GOP announced on Thursday.  

"Since 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 in a statement. "The status quo under a supermajority Democratic rule in the legislature is simply not working for this state. It is after deep reflection I announce that I will be joining the Senate Republican Caucus and the California Republican Party in their fight to fix California."