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Gloria Romero, California lieutenant governor candidate, 2026 primary election questionnaire

May 5, 2026

Ahead of the June primary election, the Southern California News Group compiled a list of questions to pose to the candidates who wish to represent you. You can find the full questionnaire below. Questionnaires may have been edited for spelling, grammar, length and, in some instances, to remove hate speech and offensive language.

Name: Gloria Romero

Current job title: Educator/Businesswoman

Age: 70

Political party affiliation: Republican

Incumbent: No

Other political positions held: State Assemblymember; State Senator; Senate Majority Leader

City where you reside: Los Angeles

Campaign website or social media: gloriaromero4ltgov.com

Higher education — from increased enrollment opportunities to affordable student housing — is a priority for the lieutenant governor’s office. What do you see as the most pressing need in higher education in California? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

The biggest need is making higher education more affordable and more useful.

Too many students are being priced out. Too many leave with debt and no clear path to a good job. At the same time, California needs more workers in health care, teaching, public safety, skilled trades and technology. There is too little communication between industry needs and educational outputs.

Our colleges and universities should help students move up in life. That means keeping costs down, helping students stay enrolled and connecting education to real jobs.

As lieutenant governor, I would push for lower costs, better student support and stronger links between schools and employers. Higher education should open doors, not create more stress for working families.

Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis last year opposed the UC tuition increases. How would you advocate for balancing keeping tuition affordable for new students while also addressing funding gaps caused by federal reductions, budget cuts or other causes? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

Students and families should not be the first place government looks when there is a budget problem.

I do not support treating tuition hikes like the easy answer. California families are already stretched too thin.

First, we need more accountability. Colleges should show taxpayers and students that existing dollars are being spent wisely. More money should go to teaching, student support and getting students to graduation. Less money towards administrators and bureaucrats who do nothing to actually move the needle in the classroom.

As lieutenant governor, I would fight to make tuition even more affordable for in-state students. I would also push for better budgeting, less waste, stronger partnerships and more targeted financial aid.

We need to protect access without asking working families to carry the whole burden.

The lieutenant governor has also made it a priority during her tenure to recognize campuses that excel in supporting Black students. Where are you seeing gaps in how California’s colleges support students, particularly those considered to be marginalized? How would you like to see that addressed? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

The biggest gaps are in real support.

Too many students get to college and then struggle to even be able to do college-level work without remediation and stay on track. Additionally, they may face housing problems, mental health challenges or trouble getting classes they need.

This hits disadvantaged students, first-generation students and underserved communities especially hard.

We need to focus less on slogans and more on results. Are students staying in school? Are they graduating? Are they moving into good careers?

I would push for a clear focus on the TK-16 pipeline to hold all aspects of the pipeline accountable for college readiness and a more accountable education system. Every student deserves a fair shot to succeed.

How, specifically, would you improve workforce development opportunities in California if elected? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

Not every student takes the same road. We should respect that. College matters, but so do career training, apprenticeships, certificates and technical education.

As lieutenant governor, I would push for stronger partnerships between high schools, community colleges, universities and employers. We need more training tied to real jobs in health care, teaching, skilled trades, public safety and technology.

We should also judge programs by results. Are students gaining skills? Are they finding jobs? Are employers finding workers?

Workforce development should be practical. It should help people build stable lives and strong careers.

What do you see as the most pressing component of the job of California lieutenant governor? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

The most important part of the job is using the office to demand accountability.

This should not be a ceremonial role. The lieutenant governor sits on important boards and can ask tough questions about education, government spending and major state decisions, as well as playing a strong role in facilitating state Senate confirmations of gubernatorial nominees.

California has too many broken systems and not enough accountability. The lieutenant governor should challenge the status quo and push for better results.

I would use the office to fight for affordability, transparency and real oversight. Californians deserve a lieutenant governor who will actually show up to these meetings, speak up and lead on these initiatives.

What in your background has prepared you best, in your opinion, to take on this role? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

I have the experience and independence this job requires.

I served in the California Legislature and became the first woman elected Senate Majority Leader. I also chaired key education committees and worked on Senate confirmation proceedings, special sessions and major policy issues. This experience will transform the position of the lieutenant governor from being ceremonial to exercising expertise in all areas of the position.

I know California’s education system well because I lived it. I attended all three parts of California’s public higher education system, and I later taught at Cal State Los Angeles.

I was raised in a working-class family, so I understand what opportunity means. I know what education can do for a person’s life.

Throughout my career, I have asked hard questions and challenged broken systems. That is how I would serve as lieutenant governor.

How do you think taxpayers could better understand the work of this office? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

Taxpayers would understand this office better if we elect a candidate like me who has the direct experience in all aspects of what the lieutenant governor actually can and should do.

Most people do not know what the lieutenant governor does. That is because the office often feels distant from everyday life.

But this office has a voice on higher education, economic development, land use and other major issues. Those decisions affect families and taxpayers directly.

I believe the office should communicate clearly and often. People should know what the lieutenant governor is doing, what questions are being asked and what is being fought for.

I would work to make this office more visible, more active and more accountable to the public.

What’s a hidden talent you have? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

Understanding character is important in politics. Having a deep appreciation and command of world literature — replete with all its heroes and villains — enables me to understand the promises and perils of any political journey.

In politics, people do not always say exactly what they mean. I learned how to listen closely, cut the bull, work across the aisle and get to the heart of a problem. From the “Man of La Mancha,” who inspired me to joyfully tilt at windmills, to “The Count of Monte Cristo” who dismantles the lives of those who wronged him, to my beloved Jane Austen who always ends with happiness, and the lessons of crime and punishment which every legislator should devour, to the Bible itself which has our most powerful answers for redemption, understanding character is essential.

I also try not to take myself too seriously. A little humor, honesty and common sense can go a long way. Having a little dog keeps me focused on the importance of loyalty and why it’s fundamental to just stop and smell the roses along the way. It’s also essential to know when to just put down the work and go for a “walkie” with him — something that works with pups and humans.

This hidden talent has helped me as a trailblazer legislator, educator, businesswoman and a leader. It helped me build coalitions, challenge bad ideas, seek the good, reach for the stars and push for change that matters.

Orange County Register

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Gloria Romero, California lieutenant governor candidate, 2026 primary election questionnaire

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