The Republican Party has been rather welcoming to overly enthusiastic converts to the party, being so starved for love and validation that any and all are celebrated and raised on a pedestal.
This happened recently when a Democratic state Senator in California switched to the Republican Party despite the GOP being in the super-minority of the state Senate.
“Senate Minority Leader Brian W. Jones and California Republican Party Chairwoman Jessica Millan Patterson released a joint statement welcoming Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil to the Senate Republican Caucus and the California Republican Party as she announced her departure from the Senate Democratic Caucus and her change in party affiliation.
“‘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,’ said Alvarado-Gil. ‘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.’
“‘Since I’ve served in our State’s Capitol, I’ve had a front-row seat to witness the supermajority push California in the wrong direction, having a grave effect on our once Golden state. The Democratic Party is unrecognizable to what I once knew and lacks the will to fix the problems plaguing this state. I cannot stand by a party that ignores the will of the people and disregards the core American values that my very community supports and believes in.’
“‘It takes courage to stand up to the supermajority in California and Marie has what it takes,’ said Leader Brian Jones. ‘Her record on tackling crime, protecting communities from sexually violent predators, and prioritizing her constituents speaks for itself. Senate Republicans are committed to addressing the real issues facing communities across the state and look forward to adding an eager spit fire like Marie to the cause.’”
It turns out, though, that this wasn’t about embracing the policy positions of the GOP, but of political opportunism.
“[T]here is a stinking backroom deal with the Third House and Sen. Alvarado-Gil to prevent another district Republican who will be running for Senate District 4.
“…
“This story of Alvarado-Gil switching parties is continuing to look like a well orchestrated scheme.”
Oh, but it gets much, much worse.
“California State Sen. Marie Alvarado-Gil is facing a civil lawsuit filed by her ex-chief of staff who alleges the senator forced him to do sexual favors while she was his boss and he suffered a back injury because of it.
“…
“Her former chief of staff, Chad Condit, filed the civil lawsuit in Sacramento Superior Court on Thursday. The lawsuit includes allegations of sexual harassment, discrimination, retaliation and violations of other state labor laws. Condit portrayed Alvardo-Gil as an erratic, controlling, sexually abusive authority figure. ‘This was a sex-based quid pro quo relationship of unwelcome advances and sexual behaviors coupled with punishment and flexing of power,’ Condit alleged.”
So, what would have been a Democratic scandal is now a Republican scandal, and done without sacrificing the Democrats’ super-majority, while also helping keep out potential Republican rivals in the California jungle primary.
Republicans, especially in California, are so starved for love and relevancy, that they blindly embrace anyone who says that they think the GOP is spiffy.
This is an endemic problem in the GOP, and almost as widespread as the surfeit of grifters it suffers from.
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