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2d ago

Florida Senate Leader Jason Pizzo Leaves Democrats, Declares Party 'Dead'

Pizzo's resignation and switch to independent status highlights internal turmoil and declining influence of Florida Democrats.

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Sen. Jason Pizzo, D-Miami, on the Senate floor during the discussion of a bill, in Tallahassee, Fla., on March 10, 2022.
FILE - Sen. Jason Pizzo, D-North Miami Beach, speaks to the media in the Senate Office Building at the Capitol in Tallahassee, Fla., on Monday, Feb. 6, 2023. (AP Photo/Phil Sears, File)

Overview

  • Jason Pizzo, Florida Senate Minority Leader, announced his departure from the Democratic Party, registering as an independent and calling the party 'dead.'
  • Pizzo's decision follows months of speculation about his potential independent run in the 2026 gubernatorial race.
  • Florida Democrats immediately replaced Pizzo as minority leader with Sen. Lori Berman and issued sharp rebukes of his leadership and motives.
  • Pizzo is the third state lawmaker to leave the Democratic Party in recent months, as the party faces dwindling membership and Republican dominance.
  • The Florida Democratic Party, led by Chair Nikki Fried, is attempting to regroup as analysts debate the implications of Pizzo’s move for the party’s future and his political ambitions.