24-year Republican stalwart abandons party as GOP 'beyond redemption'

A Republican official in one of the most conservative parts of the San Diego metropolitan area is abandoning his party to join Democrats.

According to The San Diego Union-Tribune, "El Cajon Councilmember Gary Kendrick announced Monday that he left the Republican Party and registered as a member of the Democratic Party, citing deep concern over recent immigration enforcement." Kendrick "was one of the longest-serving Republicans in municipal office in San Diego County before making the decision to switch parties," and has served for 24 years since first being elected in 2002.

San Diego, historically a Republican-friendly city due to its status as a naval hub and heavy military voter presence, has swung sharply to the Democratic Party in recent decades, but El Cajon, a city in the eastern portion of the county, remains one of the most heavily Republican areas.

Kendrick, however, has been voicing increased dissatisfaction with his party over their support for immigration raids and crackdowns that have horrified the nation. He joined a protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement after federal agents shot and killed Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, and was one of the few members of the city council to oppose resolutions defying California's "sanctuary state" status and advocating local cooperation with ICE agents even if they didn't have a warrant.

In his announcement of the party switch, Kendrick registered his disgust at the party he has represented for decades, saying that their policies "tear apart El Cajon families, drive shoppers away from our businesses, and shield abusers from accountability."

“I cannot ignore the Republican Party’s betrayal of our immigrant community, nor its disastrous impacts on the people of El Cajon,” he said, adding that he “tried his best to fix the party from within” as "MAGA extremists" took over, but it is clear to him now that "the Republican Party is beyond redemption."

El Cajon Mayor Bill Weld slammed Kendrick's party switch, saying it's out of step with the community as “El Cajon is one of the few bastions of conservative thought in San Diego County.” The county Democratic Party, however, welcomed him, saying in a statement, “Councilmember Kendrick’s change in party affiliation comes at a moment of heightened concern over fear-driven political rhetoric and policies that have raised safety concerns for local residents, particularly around immigration enforcement.”

Kendrick plans to continue his re-election bid, and told The Union-Tribune he is confident voters will back his decision.