TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – Following the November election, Florida Democrats have seen lawmakers leave the political organisation.
State Sen. Jason Pizzo, from South Florida, has switched to party affiliation. State Rep. Susan Valdez of Hillsboro County has switched to Republican Party. Another state legislator also switched after Valdez.
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On Friday, during a stop in Jacksonville, Gov. Ron DeSantis claimed he had previously mentioned the status of Florida’s Democrats.
“This party is dead throughout Florida,” DeSantis said.
This is a similar claim made by Pizzo while announcing the party’s switch to affiliation.
Florida Democratic Chairman Nikki Freed said he noticed a rise in support this year after about 25 city halls and two recent special council elections. Meanwhile, Fried said, she saw more funds and boots on the ground.
“I’m calling BS for so many reasons. First and foremost, there’s a base with energy at this moment,” Freed said.
Freed said this was due to the economic situation on issues that included uncertainty due to property insurance and tariffs.
“People are being energised not only in Florida, but also in Washington, D.C., and by what Democrats are trying to do,” Fried said.
J. Edwin Benton, professor emeritus of USF political science, questioned whether the momentum would be carried over into the medium term.
“The Democrats are not going to win offices or votes because it’s not a lasting effect,” Benton said.
He refers to some voters who see Democrats only as objections to the Republican Party.
“They have to resonate with their message, their policy programs and what they support,” Benton said.
Benton also said he feared that the party is moving too far to the left, especially as Senators Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez continue to carry on a series of large gatherings that continue to boost their political power.
Freed believes there are many voices leading the Kuomintang.
“You have Democrats all over the country who are speaking out against what’s going on,” Freed said.
When asked about party leadership, Fried said he will be responsible for organizing voter outreach, listening to constituents along with elected officials, and organizing the party’s message. She said that important messages from Democrats for this year and next year have to do with the economy.
“The fact that our condition is out of control. That economic message continues in ’25 and ’26,” Fried said.
Orlando-based US lawmaker Maxwell Frost and Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy are scheduled to be in Sarasota for the rally over the weekend.
Desantis and Fried have criticized some politicians who have recently switched political parties. They both believe it was done on a per-personal interest in the politicians. DeSantis went on to say he found a new GOP member, who is mainly alongside Tallahassee Democrats.
Rep. Valdez’s office did not respond to a request for comment on News Channel 8.
The Florida Republicans have more than 1.2 million registered voters in the state than the Democrats.
