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El Cajon Today
By the People, for the People
Longtime Republican Official Renounces GOP Amid Party's Fracturing
El Cajon council member Gary Kendrick crosses the aisle, citing concerns over the Republican Party's direction under Trump's influence.
Published on Feb. 26, 2026
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In a surprising move, Gary Kendrick, a longtime Republican council member in the conservative town of El Cajon, California, has announced that he is formally renouncing the Republican Party and joining the Democratic Party. Kendrick, who had been a Republican for 50 years, cited his growing concerns over the direction of the GOP under former President Trump's influence as the driving factor behind his decision.
Why it matters
Kendrick's defection is seen as a significant blow to the Republican Party, as he was the longest-serving GOP official in the region's local government. His decision to abandon the party highlights the growing rift within the Republican ranks, with more and more conservatives expressing discomfort with the party's shift toward Trumpism and authoritarian tendencies.
The details
In his announcement, Kendrick stated, "I've been a Republican for 50 years. I just can't stand what the Republican Party has become. I'm formally renouncing the Republican Party." His attorney friend, who is well-versed in local politics, commented that Kendrick's defection is a clear sign that Trump is in real trouble, as he has now lost the support of a long-standing Republican official.
- Kendrick announced his decision to leave the Republican Party earlier this week.
The players
Gary Kendrick
A 50-year Republican council member in the town of El Cajon, California, who has formally renounced the GOP and joined the Democratic Party.
El Cajon
A conservative town in San Diego County, California, where Kendrick served as a Republican council member.
What they’re saying
“I've been a Republican for 50 years. I just can't stand what the Republican Party has become. I'm formally renouncing the Republican Party.”
— Gary Kendrick, Former Republican Council Member (San Diego Chronicle)
“When Trump has lost this guy, he's in real trouble!”
— Anonymous, Kendrick's Attorney Friend (San Diego Chronicle)
The takeaway
Kendrick's defection from the Republican Party is a significant sign of the growing fractures within the GOP, as more and more conservatives express discomfort with the party's shift toward Trumpism and authoritarian tendencies. This development highlights the ongoing struggle for the soul of the Republican Party and the potential for further realignment of political alliances at the local level.
