Florida Senate Dem Leader Ditches Party, Calls State Democrats 'Dead'

Drama in Florida politics just hit a new high as state Sen. Jason Pizzo, until recently the Senate Democratic Leader, announced he's switching to no party affiliation. Pizzo made his declaration in a fiery speech, saying the "political party system here in Florida is nearly dead," and bluntly declared, "the Democratic Party in Florida is dead." He did toss in a glimmer of hope, saying there are people who could revive it, but, in his words, "they don't want it to be me." Ouch.

With Pizzo out, state Sen. Lori Berman steps in as the new Senate Democratic Leader, inheriting a party that's clearly got some soul-searching to do.

Pizzo didn't spare the Republicans either, pointing out they've got their own set of problems. Apparently, political dysfunction is a bipartisan sport these days.

Florida Democratic Party chair Nikki Fried wasted no time firing back at Pizzo, calling him "one of the most ineffective and unpopular Democratic leaders in recent memory." She credited his resignation as "one of the best things to happen to the party in years" and accused him of putting personal ambition above party values. Fried's statement had all the warmth of an ice bucket challenge, minus the charity.

Fried also accused Pizzo of failing to build support for a gubernatorial run and dismissed his exit as a "final embarrassing temper tantrum." She wrapped up by saying the party is "more united without him." Sounds like the kind of unity you see at family Thanksgiving dinners—just before someone flips the table.

Party switching seems to be trending in Florida. Last year, state Reps. Susan Valdés and Hillary Cassel switched from Democrat to Republican. Meanwhile, former U.S. Rep. David Jolly, once a Republican, switched to no party affiliation in 2018 and has just re-registered as a Democrat, reportedly considering a run for governor. If Florida politics had a loyalty rewards card, they'd all be platinum members by now.

With all this back-and-forth, it's clear the only thing more unstable than Florida weather might be its political allegiances. Stay tuned—this state's political forecast is as unpredictable as ever.