Florida’s Democratic House Leader Leaves Party

The Florida Democratic Party is experiencing turmoil after state Senate Minority Leader Jason Pizzo announced his departure, declaring the party “dead” while speculation grew that he’s gearing up for a possible gubernatorial run as an Independent.

Pizzo, 48, expressed regret that the Democratic Party his father supported in the 1960s is “not the party it once was,” while also recognizing the internal pressure he faced to resign as state Senate leader.

“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 said during a speech on the floor of the Florida House.

As the race to succeed him as leader of the state Senate intensifies, Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried made some critical remarks about him.

“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, who failed to capture her party’s 2022 gubernatorial nomination, said in a statement.

“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,” she claimed.

Pizzo’s tenure as Florida’s state Senate minority leader was brief, taking on the role in November after serving in the chamber since 2018. Now an Independent, Pizzo argued that Florida voters are tired of “political hacks” and criticized his former party for alienating the electorate.

“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 sniped. “Stripping myself of a title of a party designation allows me to run free and clear, clean and transparent and help many, many more.”

A day before making his announcement, Pizzo criticized Democratic colleagues who labeled him a racist for opposing legislation related to a water dispute between Miami-Dade cities, including Miami Gardens, which has the largest black population in Florida.

“I read the plain reading of the law,” Pizzo fired back at critics Wednesday before referring to the state constitution’s rules that restrict how much Florida can impact localities. “And if anybody’s feelings are hurt and think I’m a racist for my position, suck it.”

Pizzo also drew ire from fellow Florida Senate Democrats for expressing support for Israel following the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack and for endorsing an expansion of the state’s E-Verify system. Despite his criticism of the Democratic Party, he indicated he has no plans to join the GOP, saying, “the Republican Party has a lot of problems.”

“The pendulum is going to swing so far that it’s going to swing back,” he predicted.

That likely isn’t going to happen anytime soon, however. Earlier this year, former state House Reps. Hillary Cassel and Susan Valdés switched from Democrat to Republican.

Also, under Gov. Ron DeSantis, Florida is no longer considered a battleground state and has become very deeply red. “Back in 2018, for example, Democrats had roughly 257,175 more registered voters than Republicans, according to the Florida Division of Elections,” the New York Post reported, adding: “Now, Republicans have 1,210,883 more than Democrats.”

DeSantis, however, is term-limited, and reports note that Republicans are lining up to succeed him in what is likely to be a bruising primary. So far, one GOP candidate – Rep. Byron Donalds, who is backed by President Donald Trump – has announced a candidacy.

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