El Cajon City Councilman Gary Kendrick ended five decades as a Republican on Monday, announcing at City Hall that he is joining the Democratic Party in protest of what he calls the GOP's "betrayal" of immigrant communities.

Kendrick, 71, has served on the El Cajon City Council for 24 years and is the longest-serving Republican in municipal office in San Diego County. He represents District 1, which includes Fletcher Hills, Grossmont College and portions of downtown El Cajon along the Santee border.

The councilman said El Cajon's 2025 resolution directing local police to collaborate with federal immigration officials—in violation of California law—was a key factor in his decision. "Forcing our police to break the law sends the wrong message to El Cajon residents and erodes public trust," Kendrick said. "Victims and witnesses in our most vulnerable communities are scared to talk to police because they might have a friend or relative with undocumented status."

Kendrick told supporters he had hoped to reform the Republican Party from within but concluded it is "beyond redemption." He expects a MAGA challenger when he runs for reelection. His district is evenly split—31% Democrat, 31% Republican—with the remaining voters registered as nonpartisan. He won his current term with 85% of the vote.

San Diego County Democratic Party Chair Will Rodriguez-Kennedy welcomed Kendrick at the news conference, calling the switch "a growing example of change in this country." Democrats have targeted East County seats in recent years, flipping La Mesa's City Council from 5-0 Republican to 4-1 Democratic over the past decade. Party officials say they plan to invest heavily in El Cajon races in 2026.