Florida's top Senate Democrat switched political affiliations live on the Senate floor Thursday evening — prompting a scathing response from his former party. “I hope that the members of the Democratic Caucus will elect a new leader. For today, I Fed-Exd my voter registration form to change my party affiliation to ‘No Party Affiliation,'" Senate Democratic leader Jason Pizzo said in a surprise announcement on the chamber floor. “Our constituents are craving practical leaders, not political hacks," he continued. Pizzo went so far as to say that the state's Democratic party is "dead." "Here's the issue: the Democratic Party in Florida is dead," he said. "There are good people who can resuscitate it but they don't want it to be me." He explained that he "got elected because of NPAs (voters with no party affiliation)" and that stripping himself of a party designation will allow him "to run free and clear, clean and transparent and help many, many more." Pizzo has hinted at a run for Florida governor in 2026. This marks the third Florida lawmaker to leave the Democratic Party in the last six months. Rep. Susan Valdés switched from Democrat to Republican on Dec. 9 followed by Rep. Hillary Cassel on Dec. 27.