A wild scene unfolded on Thursday after the top Democrat in the Florida Senate, Jason Pizzo, announced he was leaving the Democratic Party in a fiery floor speech. Telling his now-former colleagues that "our constituents are craving practical leaders, not political hacks," Pizzo said he had "FedExed" his voter registration form, changing it to "no party affiliation."

Here's a bit of what he had to say. 

#BREAKING: Sen. Jason Pizzo, Democratic Minority Leader, switches from the Democratic Party to No Party Affiliation

"I hope the members of the Democratic Caucus will elect a new leader, for, today, I have FedEx'd my voter registration form to change my party affiliation to No… pic.twitter.com/pq0jIMDp9Q

— Florida’s Voice (@FLVoiceNews) April 24, 2025

PIZZO: There'll be a caucus meeting where I hope that the members of the Democratic Caucus will elect a new leader. For today, I FedExed my voter registration form to change my party affiliation to no affiliation. Joe Scott should receive that by 8 AM tomorrow morning in Broward County, and here's why. Our constitutions are craving practical leaders, not political hacks. We are entrusted to be guided by our conscience, and while I suppose it's easier in theory than it is in application, even my worst detractors have no valid claim that I can be bullied, that I can be bought, or even borrowed for a special interest. 

I am my father's son even in his death. I am my mother's son while she is still alive. I will not miss another one of her birthdays, and I will return to what I was when I became a young man. Independent. Independent in thought, in my passion, in my conscious, not consultants.

This is a big deal. To have the minority leader in the Florida Senate throw in the towel and leave his party is a testament to just how broken the Democrats are in the state. Gov. Ron DeSantis, despite the best efforts of RINOs in the legislature who have fought him tooth and nail to serve their special interests, has thoroughly exiled left-wing opposition in Florida and left people like Nikki Fried, who heads the Democratic state party, coping and seething. 

Instead of showing grace, Fried lashed out at Pizzo, calling him "one of the most ineffective and unpopular Democratic leaders in recent memory." 

“Jason Pizzo is one of the most ineffective and unpopular Democratic leaders in recent memory, and his resignation is one of the best things to happen to the party in years” —@NikkiFried https://t.co/8u3h08Spie pic.twitter.com/8w9smPaP1h

— Marc Caputo (@MarcACaputo) April 24, 2025

Talk about bashing one's head into a brick wall. The Democratic Party is in complete shambles in Florida, and Fried actually thinks this makes them stronger. That's completely delusional, as is the idea that leaning more into "Democratic values" is going to do anything but keep the state solidly red. Frankly, I'm astonished that Fried has kept her job this long. I figured after the failures of last cycle, she'd get the boot, but she was re-elected to her position without any real competition. That's what a party does when it wants to die. 

SEE: Florida Democrats Have No Interest in Winning Ever Again, Re-Elect Nikki Fried As Their Leader

With that said, there are serious issues within the Republican Party in Florida as well. Several members of the legislature, including the GOP leader in the state house, have made it their mission to try to take out DeSantis because he dared to oppose their stupid pro-weed amendment, among other things. So while I'd love to just make fun of Democrats here, there's still a lot of work to be done among Republicans as well. The battle to produce real conservative victories even in red states continues, and those opposed aren't going to go quietly.

Editor’s Note: Every single day, here at RedState, we will stand up and FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT against the radical left and deliver the conservative reporting our readers deserve.

Help us continue to tell the truth about the Trump administration and its major wins. Join RedState VIP and use promo code FIGHT to get 60% off your membership.