California Republicans reshuffle leadership ahead of November election

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California Republicans are reshuffling their leadership as lawmakers prepare for the next legislative session and look ahead to the November general election.

The newly elected leaders of both the state Senate and Assembly Republican caucuses are promising to push for greater Republican influence in a state where Democrats hold supermajorities in both chambers.

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Assembly Republicans selected Alexandra Macedo of Tulare as their new minority leader on Aug. 3. She immediately replaced Assemblymember Heath Flora. The change followed a rather divided caucus vote, in which of the 19 Republican Assemblymembers voting, 10 supported the leadership change and nine opposed it.

In a following vote on whether that new leader should be Macedo, the vote was 14-0, with five abstentions.

“In a sense, kind of shocking. Happened very fast,” Modesto area Assemblymember Juan Alanis said of the leadership change. Alanis said he was against the leadership change and abstained from voting for Macedo.

Palmdale area Assemblymember Tom Lackey held the same perspective but noted the need to move forward. 

“I’m hoping it’ll end up being a positive move,” he told ABC10.

The following week, Senate Republicans unanimously selected state Senator Roger Niello of Fair Oaks as their next minority leader. He will take over after the November election from the current leader state Senator Brian Jones of San Diego is termed out.

The leadership changes come as Republicans seek to expand their ranks in the Legislature. Republicans currently hold 19 of the Assembly’s 80 seats (with one vacancy, due to Asm. James Gallagher resigning to serve a special term in Congress, following the sudden passing of the late Congressman Doug LaMalfa) and 10 of the Senate’s 40 seats.

Macedo said the new leadership carries a responsibility not only to the Republican caucus but also to Californians who she believes have been left behind by policies coming from Sacramento. Niello agreed, noting he now represents the minority party and its constituents beyond his Sacramento-area district.

Republicans say affordability will be a central focus, including the cost of groceries, gasoline, housing and insurance. They also cite opposition to tax increases, public safety and education as key priorities.

“Our main goal as this new leadership takes place is really to revive and restore the California Dream of an affordable California,” said Fresno Republican Assemblymember David Tangipa.

“We need more balance in Sacramento,” added San Diego Republican Carl DeMaio.

Assembly Republicans also are looking to broaden the party’s appeal, particularly among voters they have struggled to attract in the past. Several lawmakers said younger and more outspoken leaders could help the party connect with a wider demographic.

The effort is tied closely to the November election, when all 80 Assembly seats and 20 of the Senate’s 40 seats are up for election. Republicans hope to defend their existing seats while flipping some Democratic-held districts.

Niello said his work as Republican leader will begin with an eye beyond the 2026 election. He has said that after taking over following the November election, Republicans will immediately begin looking toward 2028.

Republicans remain sharply outnumbered in Sacramento, but leaders say their goal is to eventually break the Democratic supermajority and create more partisan balance in the Legislature.

“We believe that the governor and the Democratic supermajority are moving the state in the wrong direction,” said state Senator Jones.

Huntington Beach Republican state Senator Tony Strickland agreed, emphasizing the need for common sense policies.  

“Our goal is to grow our numbers and bring about balance to the people of California.”

The leadership transition also reflects a generational mix within the Republican caucus. Senior lawmakers point to institutional knowledge, while newer members are being given greater leadership opportunities.

Republican strategist Tim Rosales described the changes as reflecting a desire for a longer-term strategy focused not only on the next election cycle but on the future of the California Republican Party.

Democrats, meanwhile, have welcomed the Republican leadership changes while expressing confidence that they will maintain their advantage in Sacramento after the November election.

“I think they have a long way to go,” said Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal. “I’m confident that Democrats are going to do very well in November.”

A spokesperson for Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas declined to weigh in on the leadership change. ABC10 also attempted to ask the speaker himself as he walked into floor session, but he too declined to comment.

Senate President Pro Tempore Monique Limón meantime congratulated Niello in a statement, writing, “Congratulations to my colleague Senator Roger Niello on being named the next Minority Leader of the State Senate. We have had the opportunity to work alongside each other on the Senate Banking Committee and I look forward to continuing that partnership in your new role come this fall. Senator Jones, Senate Democrats are grateful for your continued service to this House and the Golden State and we look forward to finishing the year strong for all Californians.”

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