State Sen. Jason Pizzo said he was stepping down as the Florida Senate 's Democratic leader – because he is quitting the Democratic Party.

Pizzo, who represents parts of Broward and Miami-Dade counties, made the surprise announcement on the floor of the chamber after the April 24 session. He'll remain a senator, but as one with no party affiliation.

For months, he had teased at a run for governor next year when Gov. Ron DeSantis will be term-limited. And Pizzo's announcement came later the same day of news that former U.S. Rep. David Jolly of Pinellas County was moving toward his own run for governor in 2026 as a Democrat.

It also comes as legislative leadership said they were unable to agree on state budget allocations , the large pots of money that go to each budget subcommittee to divvy up to fund various parts of state government. That means the current legislative session will almost certainly not end on time on May 2.

Comparing "modern partisanship" to "the fall of Rome ," he said the Legislature's "constituents are craving practical leaders, not political hacks."

"Here's the issue: The Democratic Party in Florida is dead," he told fellow senators. "There are good people who can resuscitate it but they don't want it to be me."

But he added he "will continue to fight incredibly hard for everyone in the state of Florida. I am not in this position because of Democrats. I got elected because of NPAs (no party affiliated voters). The 3.7 million people who have no party, who have no representation ... Stripping myself of a title, of a party designation, allows me to run free and clear, clean and transparent and help many, many more."

Pizzo is now the third sitting Florida lawmaker to leave the Democratic Party in the last six months, following state Reps. Susan Valdes of Tampa and Hillary Cassel of Dania Beach, who became Republicans.

Just a reminder: Florida law requires that anyone to run for office in a different party must switch parties at least 1 full year prior to qualifying. Qualifying for 2026 elections will be in June of next year.

Nikki Fried, chair of the Florida Democratic Party, quickly responded by slamming Pizzo as "one of the most ineffective and unpopular Democratic leaders in recent memory."

"His resignation is one of the best things to happen to the party in years,” she said in a statement. “His legacy as leader includes continually disparaging the party base, starting fights with other members, and chasing his own personal ambitions at the expense of Democratic values.

“Jason’s failure to build support within our party for a gubernatorial run has led to this final embarrassing temper tantrum. I’d be lying if I said I’m sad to see him go, but I wish him the best of luck in the political wilderness he’s created for himself.”

His analogue in the House – Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell of Tampa – said Pizzo "has been alienating himself from the Democratic Party for a long time now. He’s completely distracted by his ambition to be governor, and he has clearly lost the ability to lead the Senate Democratic Caucus ... Legislative Democrats will be fine without him."

And Bill Helmich, executive director of the Republican Party of Florida, posted on X, "3 elected @FlaDems have left their party this session so far. @NikkiFried and her allies have driven the Dem party into the ground! Who is next?"

Pizzo himself, who didn't speak with reporters in the Capitol after his remarks, finally posted on X , "I won’t punch down. Wishing everyone well."

Later, Senate Democrats elected Lori Berman of Boca Raton as their new leader. Berman will serve out the remainder of the 2024-26 term, and Sen. Tracie Davis of Jacksonville remains the Democratic Leader pro tempore, a caucus statement said.

"The caucus thanks former Leader Pizzo for his service," it added.

Gray Rohrer contributed. Jim Rosica is a member of the USA TODAY Network – Florida Capital Bureau. Reach him at and follow him on Twitter/X: @ JimRosicaFL .