State Rep. Susan Valdés of Florida has announced that she is switching political parties, moving from the Democratic Party to the GOP. This decision comes after she lost a bid to chair the Hillsborough County Democratic Party, with members choosing a more progressive leader. Valdés, who is in her final term before term limits, expressed frustration with the Democratic leadership and a desire to focus on community problem-solving with the Republican caucus. Her district, which has a Democratic voter registration advantage, has seen a shift towards Republicans in recent years. Valdés’ move reduces the Democratic representation in the Florida House of Representatives to just 34 members, while the Republican supermajority now stands at 86 members. Some officials, like House Minority Leader Rep. Fentrice Driskell, expressed disappointment in Valdés’ decision, questioning its timing and impact on her constituents. On the other hand, Republican House Leader Rep. Daniel Perez welcomed Valdés to the party, praising her advocacy for her community and common sense approach. The move has been met with a mix of reactions from constituents and politicians, highlighting the polarizing nature of party switches in politics.
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Photo credit floridapolitics.com
