‘The Democratic Party in Florida is dead’: Leading Florida Senate Democrat exits party
Pizzo’s announcement marks another setback for Florida’s struggling Democratic Party.
TroibNews 
TALLAHASSEE, Florida — On Thursday, State Senate Minority Leader Jason Pizzo announced he is leaving the Democratic Party, prompting Senate Democrats to prepare for the election of a new leader, marking another low point for Florida’s struggling minority party.
Pizzo, who is seen as a potential candidate for governor in 2026, stated that unaffiliated voters played a significant role in his election. He noted that the state party requires new leadership, although current Democratic leaders did not support his aspirations for that role. He remarked that the party his late father volunteered for in the 1960s "is not the party today.”
“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," he declared.
The revelation of Pizzo switching to no party affiliation took Florida Democrats by surprise and represents yet another setback for the already beleaguered party. Currently, there are 1.2 million more registered Republicans than Democrats in the state, with no Democrat holding a statewide elected office, contrasting sharply with Florida’s former identity as a significant swing state.
Earlier this year, former state House representatives Hillary Cassel and Susan Valdés also shifted their party registration from Democrat to Republican.
Pizzo clarified that his decision was not a move toward the Republican Party, as “the Republican Party has a lot of problems.”
“The pendulum is going to swing so far… that it's going to swing back,” Pizzo stated.
The timing of his announcement coincided with the conclusion of a state Senate floor session and followed a heated exchange where he told critics accusing him of racism to “suck it.”
During a debate about a Miami-Dade County wastewater utility bill, Pizzo addressed accusations of racism linked to his call for a municipal audit. “Here's the deal, I follow the law… If anybody's feelings are hurt and think I'm a racist for my position — suck it,” he asserted from the Senate floor.
Sen. Rosalind Osgood came to Pizzo’s defense, expressing her sorrow for the unfair treatment he faced from other colleagues. “What we're not going to do is hate each other and call each other names which are inappropriate,” she commented.
On the same day, former Rep. David Jolly announced he was changing his registration from no party affiliation to Democrat, along with plans to establish a political committee, suggesting it would pave the way for a gubernatorial bid in 2026. "I am very close to announcing a gubernatorial run,” he stated, emphasizing the necessity of uniting a coalition of Democrats, independents, and moderate Republicans for victory in Florida.
Pizzo has been regarded as a centrist Democrat, aligning with Republicans at times due to his background as a former prosecutor. Despite his biting wit and sarcastic remarks during debates—evident in a recent clash with the Senate Rules Chair—he typically supported Democrats in key partisan conflicts.
His financial disclosure reveals a net worth of $59 million, primarily derived from his father's estate, a factor that may allow for self-funding a statewide campaign. However, any gubernatorial run could inadvertently lead to a spoiler effect, ensuring a Republican victory.
Insiders in Tallahassee have speculated that Pizzo may be eyeing the role of Florida attorney general instead. He has previously mentioned interest in running against former Rep. Matt Gaetz, who may also consider a campaign for state attorney general or governor.
The reaction from the Florida Democratic Party to Pizzo's departure was unfavorable. Chair Nikki Fried criticized him for his divisive behavior within the party and labeled him "one of the most ineffective and unpopular Democratic leaders in recent memory," calling his exit "one of the best things to happen to the party in years."
While Fried expressed no sadness over his departure, she wished him luck in the political "wilderness" he created for himself, proclaiming the party would be stronger without him.
State House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell also expressed disappointment in Pizzo's focus on ambition over party unity, stating he had been "alienating himself from the Democratic Party for a long time now.”
“Democrats who aren’t focused entirely on building a party to stop Donald Trump’s dangerous chaos should get out of the way,” she said.
Some Democratic legislators, however, were more sympathetic towards Pizzo. “He just wants to be free,” state Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith remarked. State Sen. Shevrin Jones acknowledged the significant work ahead for the Democratic Party, while state Sen. Lori Berman stated, “He is certainly independent and he did what he felt was right for himself,” affirming Pizzo's potential to remain an effective voice in the legislature.
Following the Senate's adjournment, the Democratic caucus unanimously elected Berman as the new leader, with Berman expressing determination to “finish strong.” Senate President Ben Albritton congratulated her after the vote.
Nevertheless, emotions within the Florida Democratic community remained heightened. Nikki Barnes, a former DNC member, criticized Pizzo on social media after his "suck it" comment, insisting, “NO DEMOCRAT in Florida can win a statewide primary without Black voters. It’s over for you.”
Allen M Lee for TROIB News
Pizzo, who is seen as a potential candidate for governor in 2026, stated that unaffiliated voters played a significant role in his election. He noted that the state party requires new leadership, although current Democratic leaders did not support his aspirations for that role. He remarked that the party his late father volunteered for in the 1960s "is not the party today.”
“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," he declared.
The revelation of Pizzo switching to no party affiliation took Florida Democrats by surprise and represents yet another setback for the already beleaguered party. Currently, there are 1.2 million more registered Republicans than Democrats in the state, with no Democrat holding a statewide elected office, contrasting sharply with Florida’s former identity as a significant swing state.
Earlier this year, former state House representatives Hillary Cassel and Susan Valdés also shifted their party registration from Democrat to Republican.
Pizzo clarified that his decision was not a move toward the Republican Party, as “the Republican Party has a lot of problems.”
“The pendulum is going to swing so far… that it's going to swing back,” Pizzo stated.
The timing of his announcement coincided with the conclusion of a state Senate floor session and followed a heated exchange where he told critics accusing him of racism to “suck it.”
During a debate about a Miami-Dade County wastewater utility bill, Pizzo addressed accusations of racism linked to his call for a municipal audit. “Here's the deal, I follow the law… If anybody's feelings are hurt and think I'm a racist for my position — suck it,” he asserted from the Senate floor.
Sen. Rosalind Osgood came to Pizzo’s defense, expressing her sorrow for the unfair treatment he faced from other colleagues. “What we're not going to do is hate each other and call each other names which are inappropriate,” she commented.
On the same day, former Rep. David Jolly announced he was changing his registration from no party affiliation to Democrat, along with plans to establish a political committee, suggesting it would pave the way for a gubernatorial bid in 2026. "I am very close to announcing a gubernatorial run,” he stated, emphasizing the necessity of uniting a coalition of Democrats, independents, and moderate Republicans for victory in Florida.
Pizzo has been regarded as a centrist Democrat, aligning with Republicans at times due to his background as a former prosecutor. Despite his biting wit and sarcastic remarks during debates—evident in a recent clash with the Senate Rules Chair—he typically supported Democrats in key partisan conflicts.
His financial disclosure reveals a net worth of $59 million, primarily derived from his father's estate, a factor that may allow for self-funding a statewide campaign. However, any gubernatorial run could inadvertently lead to a spoiler effect, ensuring a Republican victory.
Insiders in Tallahassee have speculated that Pizzo may be eyeing the role of Florida attorney general instead. He has previously mentioned interest in running against former Rep. Matt Gaetz, who may also consider a campaign for state attorney general or governor.
The reaction from the Florida Democratic Party to Pizzo's departure was unfavorable. Chair Nikki Fried criticized him for his divisive behavior within the party and labeled him "one of the most ineffective and unpopular Democratic leaders in recent memory," calling his exit "one of the best things to happen to the party in years."
While Fried expressed no sadness over his departure, she wished him luck in the political "wilderness" he created for himself, proclaiming the party would be stronger without him.
State House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell also expressed disappointment in Pizzo's focus on ambition over party unity, stating he had been "alienating himself from the Democratic Party for a long time now.”
“Democrats who aren’t focused entirely on building a party to stop Donald Trump’s dangerous chaos should get out of the way,” she said.
Some Democratic legislators, however, were more sympathetic towards Pizzo. “He just wants to be free,” state Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith remarked. State Sen. Shevrin Jones acknowledged the significant work ahead for the Democratic Party, while state Sen. Lori Berman stated, “He is certainly independent and he did what he felt was right for himself,” affirming Pizzo's potential to remain an effective voice in the legislature.
Following the Senate's adjournment, the Democratic caucus unanimously elected Berman as the new leader, with Berman expressing determination to “finish strong.” Senate President Ben Albritton congratulated her after the vote.
Nevertheless, emotions within the Florida Democratic community remained heightened. Nikki Barnes, a former DNC member, criticized Pizzo on social media after his "suck it" comment, insisting, “NO DEMOCRAT in Florida can win a statewide primary without Black voters. It’s over for you.”
Allen M Lee for TROIB News
