Politics
JUST IN: Florida Democrat Turns On Party, Joins GOP
Florida State Representative Susan L. Valdes announced that she is leaving the Democratic Party to join the Republican ranks. She cited a desire to serve her West Tampa community better. Valdes, who represents House District 64, released a detailed statement explaining her decision. She signaled frustration with Democratic leadership and a newfound alignment with the Republican vision for Florida’s future.
“I have spent my adult life fighting to give a voice to the people of my West Tampa home,” Valdes wrote. “I have done so as a Democrat partly out of habit — I come from a family of Democrats — and partly because I believed the Democrats were the party most concerned with the working families I represent.”
The veteran legislator said her decision came after years of feeling sidelined by her own party’s leadership. Valdes accused Democrats of failing to provide meaningful opportunities for collaboration and dismissed their approach as focused on protest rather than progress.
“I will not waste my final two years in the Florida Legislature being ignored in a caucus whose leadership expects me to ignore the needs of my community,” she said. “Effective immediately, I will change my registration from a Democrat to Republican and will join the Republican Conference in the Florida House of Representatives.”
See statement below… pic.twitter.com/JUVhsziSL7
— Susan L. Valdés (@SusanLValdesFL) December 9, 2024
Earlier this month, Valdés campaigned for the position of chairperson for her local county’s Democratic executive committee. She secured her current term with a victory margin of nearly 5 percentage points. However, due to term limits, she is ineligible for reelection, according to The Associated Press. The Republican party has maintained control over the governor’s office and both legislative branches since 1999. Valdés is now in the last two years of her term, after which she will step down due to these term limits. The Republican majority in the House currently stands at 86-34.
Valdes praised Republican leadership, particularly Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez, for fostering an environment where representatives are empowered to address constituents’ concerns.
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“Our Speaker, Rep. Daniel Perez, has laid out a vision for the House that focuses on empowering House members to work on real problems facing our communities. That’s what I want to be a part of,” Valdes said. “I’m tired of being the party of protesting when I got into politics to be part of the party of progress.”
While acknowledging ideological differences with her new Republican colleagues, Valdes emphasized the respect she has received within the GOP caucus.
“I know that I won’t agree with my fellow Republican House members on every issue, but I know that in their caucus, I will be welcomed and treated with respect,” she stated.
Her departure comes as a blow to Florida Democrats, who have struggled to gain ground in the state’s political landscape. The former Democrat made it clear that her decision was rooted in a commitment to her constituents.
“I love my community, and I will continue to fight every day to benefit the people of West Tampa, Hillsborough County and the state of Florida,” Valdes concluded. “And in my heart, I know the best way to do that is to stand with Speaker Perez and join the Republican supermajority in the Florida House of Representatives.”
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