Florida Dem denounces party as state chair chastises 'one of the most ineffective' leaders

Politico reports Florida Senate Minority Leader Jason Pizzo is leaving the Democratic Party, but he will not be joining Republicans.

“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 said.

But the Hollywood, Florida, resident said he would not be moving to the GOP because “the Republican Party has a lot of problems.” Pizzo, who could be a candidate for governor in 2026, said he owes his seat to unaffiliated voters, who overwhelmingly support him.

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Florida Democratic Party chair Nikki Fried expressed no sadness at his departure, calling Pizzo "one of the most ineffective and unpopular Democratic leaders in recent memory."

"His resignation is one of the best things to happen to the party in years,” she said in a statement. “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.

Senate Democrats elected Lori Berman as the Senate’s new Democratic leader, and Fried praised the vote.

“Right now, we need a leader who will fight for all constituents and uphold our values when democratic institutions are under attack,” Fried announced on X. “Leader Berman has a friend in me.”

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Pizzo is not the only Florida politician switching chairs today, however. David Jolly, a former Republican U.S. Congressman in Florida’s 13th Congressional District, officially abandoned the GOP today because of his dislike for President Donald Trump. POLITICO reported Jolly has also launched a political committee, Florida 2026, ahead of what might prove to be a gubernatorial bid, as

Jolly had been registered to vote without political affiliation until Wednesday but achieved recognition as a MSNBC network commentator.

Read the entire Politico post here.