California Democrats' Preferred Republican Is Potential Successor to Kevin McCarthy
Shannon Grove has garnered significant attention in recent years for her opposition to the majority party.
TroibNews 
SACRAMENTO, California — Shannon Grove, a Republican from California’s Central Valley known for her support of Trump and anti-abortion stance, has also become a favorite among Democratic lawmakers in Sacramento.
The state senator from Bakersfield has gained recognition for her challenges to the majority party’s reluctance to impose tougher criminal penalties, often rallying support from progressive Democrats for harsher sentencing in cases of human trafficking and enhanced protections for children.
On Thursday, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 1414, authored by Grove, which classifies the solicitation of a minor as a felony instead of a misdemeanor. The bill received nearly unanimous backing in the Senate and was even supported by First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom.
Much of Grove’s advocacy has been bolstered by conservatives dissatisfied with the state’s crime policies, but she has also established unexpected alliances with Democrats throughout nearly 15 years in the legislature.
“She’s a likable person and she does extend herself and show kindness,” remarked former Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins, a past leader of the Democratic caucus and 2026 gubernatorial candidate. The two have developed a close relationship and have been known to participate in the Legislature’s annual “twin day” celebration by dressing as one another.
“I’m just as surprised some days as others that we have become such friends,” Atkins added.
While it's not unusual for Democrats and Republicans to collaborate, Grove’s political views are decidedly right-leaning. She is affiliated with former Speaker Kevin McCarthy and made history as the first female veteran elected to the California Legislature when she entered the Assembly in 2010.
Since then, Grove has consistently opposed several significant Democratic initiatives, including attempts to curtail oil production in California. Her remarks outside the legislature have occasionally stirred controversy, such as her 2015 Facebook post suggesting that God might be to blame for California’s drought, and a 2021 assertion that antifa was responsible for the events of January 6, a statement that ultimately cost her the leadership role in the Senate Republican Caucus.
Despite differing ideologies, both parties frequently commend Grove for her approach in the Capitol, characterizing her as a diligent, personable legislator who can engage in heated debates but is equally willing to bring treats for her colleagues or invite them to her district for horseback riding.
“My colleagues and I may not always agree on everything, but I do have some pretty incredible friends on the other side of the aisle,” Grove shared with PMG. “And regardless of our differences and the debate that takes place, I really do believe that they know I really do care about them as individuals.”
Both she and Atkins were elected to the Assembly in 2010, but it was only after moving into leadership roles in the Senate that they recognized their shared experiences. They both have military backgrounds, came from financially struggling rural areas, and share a mutual admiration for Dolly Parton.
“Do we agree on policy? Not in a million years,” Grove reflected regarding her friendship with Atkins. “But then we still have a friendship. That’s all friendships, right? You have arguments or disagreements with your friends. It shouldn’t be any different in the Legislature.”
The one instance that particularly annoyed Atkins was when Grove organized a Zoom call with Parton without her involvement.
“That is the one time I just looked at her like, ‘you’re kidding me, right?’” Atkins remembered.
This year, Grove has also put forward a notable bill mandating youth centers to share more information regarding potential abuse, targeting the controversial “troubled teen industry.” Paris Hilton, the hotel heiress and socialite, notably showed support for Grove’s cause during a visit to the Capitol in April. Remarkably, two Democratic co-authors were also present with her.
“We’re all here today asking ourselves: what is an heiress, a Republican, a single mom and a former foster youth have in common?” asked Hayward Democratic state Sen. Aisha Wahab during a press conference. “The honest truth is we want to protect children.”
However, Grove’s initiatives have not always been met with enthusiasm, especially in the Assembly. Her human trafficking bill, SB 14, faced rejection from progressive Democrats on the Public Safety Committee last year, which led to significant backlash online, even attracting criticism from tech billionaire Elon Musk. Eventually, Gov. Newsom intervened, prompting the Assembly to reevaluate Grove’s bill, resulting in its eventual approval and his endorsement.
At that time, then-Public Safety Chair Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer expressed concern about the harsh rhetoric directed at the bill’s opponents, highlighting threats faced by women on the committee.
“There are members on this committee, women, whose lives were threatened because of this,” he told reporters last summer. “We can have an honest debate, but, my God.”
Grove chose to pass on an opportunity to run for Congress last year, opting out of contesting for McCarthy’s vacated seat in a race where she would have been a prominent contender. She has expressed her intention to continue advocating for children in the coming year, with her term ending in 2026.
Senate Republican Leader Brian Jones remarked on Grove’s determination and commitment to her principles.
“One of the things I think defines Sen. Grove is that she’s very vocal about the policies that are important to her,” he stated. “Everybody knows where she stands on things and yet she’s flexible enough to build these relationships with members on the other side of the aisle.”
Like this content? Consider signing up for PMG’s California Playbook newsletter.
Jessica Kline contributed to this report for TROIB News
The state senator from Bakersfield has gained recognition for her challenges to the majority party’s reluctance to impose tougher criminal penalties, often rallying support from progressive Democrats for harsher sentencing in cases of human trafficking and enhanced protections for children.
On Thursday, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 1414, authored by Grove, which classifies the solicitation of a minor as a felony instead of a misdemeanor. The bill received nearly unanimous backing in the Senate and was even supported by First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom.
Much of Grove’s advocacy has been bolstered by conservatives dissatisfied with the state’s crime policies, but she has also established unexpected alliances with Democrats throughout nearly 15 years in the legislature.
“She’s a likable person and she does extend herself and show kindness,” remarked former Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins, a past leader of the Democratic caucus and 2026 gubernatorial candidate. The two have developed a close relationship and have been known to participate in the Legislature’s annual “twin day” celebration by dressing as one another.
“I’m just as surprised some days as others that we have become such friends,” Atkins added.
While it's not unusual for Democrats and Republicans to collaborate, Grove’s political views are decidedly right-leaning. She is affiliated with former Speaker Kevin McCarthy and made history as the first female veteran elected to the California Legislature when she entered the Assembly in 2010.
Since then, Grove has consistently opposed several significant Democratic initiatives, including attempts to curtail oil production in California. Her remarks outside the legislature have occasionally stirred controversy, such as her 2015 Facebook post suggesting that God might be to blame for California’s drought, and a 2021 assertion that antifa was responsible for the events of January 6, a statement that ultimately cost her the leadership role in the Senate Republican Caucus.
Despite differing ideologies, both parties frequently commend Grove for her approach in the Capitol, characterizing her as a diligent, personable legislator who can engage in heated debates but is equally willing to bring treats for her colleagues or invite them to her district for horseback riding.
“My colleagues and I may not always agree on everything, but I do have some pretty incredible friends on the other side of the aisle,” Grove shared with PMG. “And regardless of our differences and the debate that takes place, I really do believe that they know I really do care about them as individuals.”
Both she and Atkins were elected to the Assembly in 2010, but it was only after moving into leadership roles in the Senate that they recognized their shared experiences. They both have military backgrounds, came from financially struggling rural areas, and share a mutual admiration for Dolly Parton.
“Do we agree on policy? Not in a million years,” Grove reflected regarding her friendship with Atkins. “But then we still have a friendship. That’s all friendships, right? You have arguments or disagreements with your friends. It shouldn’t be any different in the Legislature.”
The one instance that particularly annoyed Atkins was when Grove organized a Zoom call with Parton without her involvement.
“That is the one time I just looked at her like, ‘you’re kidding me, right?’” Atkins remembered.
This year, Grove has also put forward a notable bill mandating youth centers to share more information regarding potential abuse, targeting the controversial “troubled teen industry.” Paris Hilton, the hotel heiress and socialite, notably showed support for Grove’s cause during a visit to the Capitol in April. Remarkably, two Democratic co-authors were also present with her.
“We’re all here today asking ourselves: what is an heiress, a Republican, a single mom and a former foster youth have in common?” asked Hayward Democratic state Sen. Aisha Wahab during a press conference. “The honest truth is we want to protect children.”
However, Grove’s initiatives have not always been met with enthusiasm, especially in the Assembly. Her human trafficking bill, SB 14, faced rejection from progressive Democrats on the Public Safety Committee last year, which led to significant backlash online, even attracting criticism from tech billionaire Elon Musk. Eventually, Gov. Newsom intervened, prompting the Assembly to reevaluate Grove’s bill, resulting in its eventual approval and his endorsement.
At that time, then-Public Safety Chair Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer expressed concern about the harsh rhetoric directed at the bill’s opponents, highlighting threats faced by women on the committee.
“There are members on this committee, women, whose lives were threatened because of this,” he told reporters last summer. “We can have an honest debate, but, my God.”
Grove chose to pass on an opportunity to run for Congress last year, opting out of contesting for McCarthy’s vacated seat in a race where she would have been a prominent contender. She has expressed her intention to continue advocating for children in the coming year, with her term ending in 2026.
Senate Republican Leader Brian Jones remarked on Grove’s determination and commitment to her principles.
“One of the things I think defines Sen. Grove is that she’s very vocal about the policies that are important to her,” he stated. “Everybody knows where she stands on things and yet she’s flexible enough to build these relationships with members on the other side of the aisle.”
Like this content? Consider signing up for PMG’s California Playbook newsletter.
Jessica Kline contributed to this report for TROIB News
