Related Reports: Florida Democratic Speaker responds to claim that the party is “dead”
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Florida Sen. Jason Pizzo confirmed Friday that he will run for governor next year.
Pizzo, a Senate minority leader, made headlines last month after declaring he was dead after a dramatic exit from the state’s Democrats.
Democrat leader of the Florida Senate says the party is dead and he’s leaving it
The senator emphasized that he was not part of the Independence Party and confirmed with the WFLA that he was running for governor without a party affiliation.
“Our constituents are craving practical leaders, not political hacking,” he said as he announced he left in the House last month.
Pizzo is not the only one who has jumped over the ship in the last few months.
Rep. Susan Valdez, who was elected as a Democrat to represent Tampa, joined the Republican Party shortly after her re-election.
“I’m tired of the party of protest,” Valdes wrote to X in December.
Florida Rep. Susan Valdez will switch parties on behalf of parts of Hillsboro County
The 2026 governor race has been sparse so far, with Byron Donald (R-FL) officially declaring his candidacy in addition to Pizzo.
Donald was approved by President Trump and he stepped into Casey DeSantis.
Democrats haven’t said they’re running yet, but the state hasn’t elected a Democratic governor for more than 25 years.
