TALLAHASSEE, Florida – The top Democrat in Florida’s Senate is leaving the party, claiming that “the Democratic Party in Florida is dead.”

Senate Minority Leader Jason Pizzo said on the Senate floor Thursday that he is changing his registration to no party affiliation, dealing another blow to a party that has struggled to define itself following a string of crushing electoral losses in recent years.

Pizzo described modern partisanship as “a mess” and stated that “constituents are craving practical leaders, not political hacks.”

Florida was once the country’s premier swing state, with presidential elections decided by razor-thin margins. However, the state has steadily slipped from Democrats’ hands, and the Republican Party has made major gains in historically Democratic strongholds such as Miami-Dade County. Registered Republicans exceed registered Democrats by over 1.2 million voters.

Pizzo is on a list of potential gubernatorial candidates for 2026. Ron DeSantis, the Republican governor, is serving his final term.

“I think stripping myself of the title of a party designation allows me to run free and clear, clean and transparent, and help many, many more,” Pizzo told reporters Thursday.

After Pizzo’s announcement, Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried dubbed him “ineffective and unpopular” in a statement.

“Jason’s inability to rally support within our party for a gubernatorial candidacy has resulted in this final ugly screaming tantrum. “I’d be lying if I said I’m sorry to see him go, but I wish him the best of luck in the political wilderness he’s created for himself,” Fried remarked. “The Florida Democratic Party is more united without him.”

Pizzo, a former prosecutor who represents parts of Miami-Dade and Broward counties in South Florida, is recognised for his polished debate skills and willingness to openly criticise both parties, despite his leadership post.

His Democratic colleagues in the Senate expressed surprise at his declaration Thursday, but said it was not unusual for the “independent thinker.”

“We’re currently in a refocusing phase,” Democratic state Sen. Shevrin Jones said about his party. “I wouldn’t say we’ve died. I will say that the Democrats have a lot of work to do. And I won’t sit here and sugarcoat that at all.”

While Democrats were stunned by the revelation, the office of Florida’s Republican Senate President Ben Albritton was told Thursday morning.

In January, Pizzo told The Associated Press that he would not contemplate running for governor as an independent and said he enjoyed the “challenge” of working within the Democratic Party.

Several Florida lawmakers have left the Democratic Party in recent months, including state Reps. Susan Valdés and Hillary Cassel, who both joined the Republican Party. Valdés, a member of her new party, ascended to the House dais on Thursday to preside over a floor session while clad in red.