Democratic State Senator from California’s Central Valley Switches Parties

A Democratic California State Senator representing the Central Valley is joining the Republican Party.  Marie Alvarado-Gil announced her party affiliation change on Thursday.  This is the first time in 80 years that a Democratic lawmaker has switched mid-term.  Alvarado-Gil represents Senate District 4, which encompasses parts of several counties in the Central Valley and the Sierra Nevada foothills.  In a statement, Alvarado-Gil said she was elected to serve the needs of her constituents, not a political ideology.  State Democrats still have a super-majority in the Senate, holding 31 out of 40 seats.