In a move that has sent shockwaves through Florida politics, State Representative Susan Valdes of West Tampa has announced her decision to leave the Democratic Party and join the Republican ranks. The Cuban-American lawmaker, who has long represented her working-class district, cited frustration with the Democratic caucus as the primary reason for her defection. Her decision strengthens the already dominant Republican supermajority in the Florida Legislature.
Valdes, recently re-elected to represent her West Tampa constituency, shared her reasons in a candid post on X (formerly Twitter):
“I have spent my adult life fighting to give a voice to the people of my West Tampa home. 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 lawmaker continued to describe her growing disillusionment with the Democratic Party, accusing its leadership of sidelining her efforts to address the needs of her community:
“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.”
Valdes emphasized her desire to work on tangible solutions for her district, pointing to Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez’s vision as a motivating factor in her decision to switch parties:
“Our Speaker… 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. I’m tired of being the party of protesting when I got into politics to be part of the party of progress.”
Valdes’s announcement comes as a surprise to many, particularly given her recent activities within the Democratic Party. According to the Tampa Bay Times, Valdes ran for a leadership role within the Hillsborough County Democratic Executive Committee just weeks ago. She also attended a Kamala Harris debate watch party in September and has previously criticized Donald Trump’s policies on immigration via social media.
Despite these actions, Valdes felt that the Democratic Party no longer aligned with her goals. By joining the Republican caucus, she believes she can better serve her community’s needs, even if it means navigating ideological differences with her new colleagues:
“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.”
Valdes’s switch boosts the Republican supermajority in Florida’s Legislature, giving the GOP an even stronger grip on state politics. With her defection, Republicans now control 86 of the 120 seats in the Florida House of Representatives and 28 of the 40 seats in the State Senate, far surpassing the supermajority threshold in both chambers.
The supermajority allows Republicans to advance their legislative agenda with minimal opposition, giving Governor Ron DeSantis and state GOP leaders significant leeway to implement policies.
Valdes’s departure underscores broader challenges for Florida Democrats, who have struggled to retain unity and relevance in a state increasingly dominated by Republicans. Some observers argue that the GOP’s control over the budget creates a strong incentive for lawmakers to align with the majority party to secure funding for their districts.
While Democratic leadership has expressed disappointment over Valdes’s decision, they have yet to issue a formal response. For many in the party, her defection is seen as a significant blow, particularly given her recent involvement in local Democratic activities.
Valdes’s defection is emblematic of a broader trend in American politics, where lawmakers increasingly prioritize local issues and tangible results over strict party loyalty. As she begins this new chapter, Valdes has pledged to remain committed 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.”
Her decision to join the Republican Party may alienate some longtime supporters, but Valdes is confident that her choice reflects her commitment to progress over partisanship.
As Florida’s Republican supermajority grows stronger, the political dynamics in the state are set to shift even further. For Valdes, the move represents a bold gamble: an opportunity to effect change for her community while navigating the challenges of her new political alignment. Whether this decision will yield the results she hopes for remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—Susan Valdes has made her mark on Florida’s political landscape.
