Top Florida Democrat Dramatically Quits 'Dead' Party During Senate Floor Speech

A top Florida Democrat made a stunning announcement Thursday, resigning from his party and proclaiming its demise.

“The Democratic Party in Florida is dead,” Florida State Senate Democratic Minority Leader Jason Pizzo declared unexpectedly during a legislative session, according to Florida’s Voice.

“It craves and screams anarchy, and then demands amnesty. That’s not OK,” he said.

Pizzo reflected on his family’s political history, noting, “The party that my dad volunteered for with JFK, when he was 18 years old in 1960, is not the party today.”

He continued, “Our constituents are craving practical leaders, not political hacks,” during what Florida’s Voice described as a “scorching and emotional” speech to his colleagues.

According to NBC News, Pizzo revealed that he had already submitted paperwork to re-register with “no party affiliation.”

Drawing a historical comparison, Pizzo likened Florida’s political climate to “the infighting, power struggles, corruption and decline of civic virtue that pervaded and eventually ushered in the fall of Rome,” NBC reported.

He added, “So, too, are we players, or perhaps props, in the mess that is bottom partisanship.”

The Florida Democratic Party did not hold back in its 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,” said Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried.

Fried continued, “His legacy as leader includes continually disparaging the party base, starting fights with other members, and chasing his own personal ambitions at the expense of Democratic values.”

She added, “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.”

On the other hand, Republican officials offered more positive remarks.

Florida Republican Party Chairman Evan Power commented that Pizzo “didn’t leave the Democratic Party; the party left him.”

Power added, “This decision underscores the radicalization of today’s Democratic Party.”

He also pointed out that state Reps. Susan Valdes and Hillary Cassel had recently left the Democratic Party to join the Republicans.