Florida Democratic Leader Quits Party, Blasts Its Direction

The Florida Democratic Party is facing internal strife after State Senate Minority Leader Jason Pizzo announced he’s leaving the party, describing it as “dead” and fueling speculation that he may run for governor as an Independent.

Pizzo, 48, said he no longer recognizes the party his father once supported in the 1960s and acknowledged that fellow Democrats had been pressuring him to step down from his leadership position.

“Here’s the issue: The Democratic Party in Florida is dead. But there are good people that can resuscitate it. But they don’t want it to be me,” Pizzo told colleagues during a speech on the House floor.

As the battle heats up to replace him as Senate leader, Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried didn't hold back in her response.

“Jason Pizzo is one of the most ineffective and unpopular Democratic leaders in recent memory, and his resignation is one of the best things to happen to the party in years,” Fried said. Fried, who lost the 2022 Democratic primary for governor, went on to say, “Jason’s failure to build support within our party for a gubernatorial run has led to this final embarrassing temper tantrum. I’d be lying if I said I’m sad to see him go, but I wish him the best of luck in the political wilderness he’s created for himself. The Florida Democratic Party is more united without him.”

Pizzo’s stint as Senate minority leader was short-lived—he took over the role in November but has served in the state Senate since 2018. Now an Independent, he criticized his former party for losing touch with voters and expressed a broader frustration with political insiders.

“I am not in this position because of Democrats. I got elected because of NPAs [Not Politically Affiliated], the 3.7 million people who have no party, who have no representation,” he said. “Stripping myself of a title of a party designation allows me to run free and clear, clean and transparent and help many, many more.”

Just a day before his departure announcement, Pizzo pushed back against Democratic colleagues who accused him of racism over his opposition to a bill concerning a water rights dispute involving Miami-Dade municipalities, including Miami Gardens, which has Florida’s largest Black population.

“I read the plain reading of the law,” he said on Wednesday, referencing constitutional limits on state interference in local affairs. “And if anybody’s feelings are hurt and think I’m a racist for my position, suck it.”

He has also been criticized by fellow Democrats for voicing support for Israel after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack and backing the expansion of Florida’s E-Verify employment system. Despite his exit from the party, Pizzo clarified he has no intention of joining the GOP.

“The Republican Party has a lot of problems,” he said. “The pendulum is going to swing so far that it’s going to swing back.”

That swing may not be coming soon. Earlier this year, former Democratic state Reps. Hillary Cassel and Susan Valdés both switched to the Republican Party.

Under Governor Ron DeSantis, Florida has shifted firmly to the right. Once considered a swing state, it is now solidly Republican. As the New York Post noted, “Back in 2018, for example, Democrats had roughly 257,175 more registered voters than Republicans, according to the Florida Division of Elections. Now, Republicans have 1,210,883 more than Democrats.”

While DeSantis is term-limited, a competitive Republican primary is expected to determine his successor. So far, Rep. Byron Donalds, who has received an endorsement from former President Donald Trump, is the first GOP candidate to officially enter the race.