http://ocregister.com/ocregister/new...le_1193843.php

BYE TO THE GOP

Longtime Republican activist Lupe Moreno bid farewell to the GOP last Wednesday, reregistering as an American Independent.

She failed in a low-budget bid for the GOP nomination for the 34th state Senate District on June 6, although she made it clear all along that she was running not to win but to attract more attention to the issue of illegal immigration.

Moreno, a Minuteman and anti-illegal immigration activist, also resigned from the county Republicans’ governing Central Committee last week.

She has been increasingly critical of the party, attacking President Bush’s immigration proposals, the county GOP’s endorsement of Sheriff Mike Carona and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s policies.

It was not a decision she made lightly.

“It’s like when I went from being a Catholic to being a Christian,” the Santa Ana resident said. “It’s a big step. … Now I’ve got to take all the Republican stuff … posters, banners … and put it in the attic.”

Also on her list of chores: removing the “Proud Hispanic Republican” sticker on her car.