Florida State Senate Minority Leader Jason Pizzo has left the Democratic Party, changing his party affiliation to Independent.
“For today, I FedExed my voter registration form to change my party affiliation to no party affiliation,” he said on the Senate floor, explaining that “constituents are craving practical leaders, not political hacks.”
“We are entrusted to be guided by our conscience, and while I suppose it’s easier in theory than it is in application, even my worst detractors have no valid claim that I can be bullied, that I can be bought, or even borrowed for a special interest,” Pizzo stated. “I am my father’s son, even in his death. I am my mother’s son, while she is still alive.”
“I will not miss another one of her birthdays, and I will return to who I was when I became a young man—independent: independent in thought, in my passion, and in my conscience, not consultants,” he declared.
The Florida Democratic Party responded to Pizzo’s resignation as Senate Democratic Leader, with Chair Nikki Fried calling the senator one of the “most ineffective and unpopular Democratic leaders in recent memory.”
Fried noted that Pizzo’s resignation is “one of the best things to happen to the party in years.”
“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,” the statement read. “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.”
