Heath Flora ousted as California Assembly GOP leader after campaign-spending revelations

California Assembly Republicans ousted Heath Flora as their leader Monday, one day after the California Post revealed that the Central Valley lawmaker is facing two state ethics investigations and spent more than $11,000 in campaign money at a Sacramento dive bar.

Assemblywoman Alexandra Macedo, a first-term Republican from Tulare who served in Flora’s leadership team, was selected to replace him as minority leader, according to sources with knowledge of the situation.

The sudden shake-up ended Flora’s rocky tenure atop the Republican caucus less than a year after he took over the job.

Flora (R-Ripon) remains a member of the Assembly.

The leadership change came after The Post reported Sunday that the Fair Political Practices Commission had opened separate investigations into allegations involving Flora’s use of campaign funds and his reporting of behested payments — charitable donations solicited by elected officials.

The Post also revealed that Flora’s campaign spent more than $11,000 at Chargins’ Bar & Grill, an East Sacramento watering hole more than 50 miles from his district.

Sources told The Post that Flora frequently drank at the bar and sometimes remained there for hours. Flora did not respond to detailed questions about the expenses or investigations before Sunday’s story was published.

Flora’s removal also followed growing anger among Republicans over his vote last month for legislation allowing 14 local governments to seek sales-tax increases beyond existing limits.

Only Flora and Assembly Republican Caucus Chairman Juan Alanis joined Democrats in voting for the measure, angering conservatives who accused the two GOP leaders of helping Democrats advance tax increases during a statewide affordability crisis.

Several Republican lawmakers had been discussing a possible challenge to Flora’s leadership before the caucus convened Monday.

Flora’s position as GOP minority leader was questioned almost immediately after he was appointed last year, when the Sacramento Bee published a bombshell report on his affair with a former lobbyist, Emily Hughes, as well as missing child support payments to his ex-wife. 

Hughes, the former lobbyist who had an affair with Flora when he was still married, told The Post that Flora routinely drinks on the job and is known to abuse campaign money.

“Everyone is privy to his excessive drinking,” Hughes told The Post.

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“Today’s change in leadership in the Republican Assembly Caucus reflects a steely resolve and energy to do whatever it takes to turn California around,” Assemblymember Carl DeMaio (R-San Diego) told The Post.

“The leadership change should send a strong and clear message that the days of Republicans in Sacramento being pushovers to the Democrats are over. And as we head into the fall election, we have a united commitment to take our case to voters for change.”

Flora is facing two state ethics probes by the Fair Political Practices Commission: one from October 2025 over behested payments, which are donations in which a government official acts as an intermediary; and a second investigation looking into a potential misuse of campaign funds.

State records show Flora — who did not respond to requests for comment — has been on a tear seeking money from special interests since May 2023, acting as an intermediary on more than $1.15 million in behested payments. Many of these donations came from entities with business before the Legislature. A complaint was filed in October 2025.

Flora received just 30.6% of the vote in the June primary election in Stanislaus County — the lowest level of support for any incumbent state legislator and all of the Republican parties within his district declined to endorse him.

Assembly Republicans elected Macedo, a first-term Tulare lawmaker, as their new minority leader after a vote to get Flora to vacate the leadership position. She received 12 votes in support while seven lawmakers abstained.

“I am deeply honored by the trust my colleagues have placed in me, and I am proud to stand alongside a unified caucus dedicated to real, common-sense solutions,” Macedo said in a statement obtained by The Post.

“Our message is clear: California is becoming unaffordable for working families, and our caucus is united in the fight to bring down the cost of living, make our communities safer and hold state bureaucrats accountable.”

Macedo also thanked Flora, who lost the leadership post less than a year after taking control of the Assembly’s 20-member Republican caucus.

“As I step into this role, I want to thank Leader Emeritus Heath Flora for his service and commitment to our caucus. His work is appreciated.”

The announcement did not explain why Flora was replaced or provide details about the caucus vote.

Macedo also unveiled a new leadership team that includes Assemblyman David Tangipa of Fresno as minority whip and Assemblyman Josh Hoover of Folsom as minority floor leader.

Assemblywoman Natasha Johnson of Lake Elsinore will serve as minority caucus chair, while Assemblyman Joe Patterson of Rocklin was named minority deputy leader.

The caucus said the team would push back against costly state policies, demand greater government accountability and focus on public safety, utility rates and fiscal oversight.

California Republican Party Chairwoman Corrin Rankin thanked Flora for “his service” in a statement touting the elevation of Macedo.

“Alexandra Macedo represents a new generation of Republican leadership in California,” Rankin said.

“She understands what it takes to win elections, and she knows that success requires candidates, caucus members, donors, party leaders and grassroots volunteers to work as one team. She has earned the trust of her colleagues, and I am confident she will be a strong voice for Republican members and the Californians they represent.”