Florida state rep ditches Dem party for GOP to 'work on real problems'

Florida State Representative Susan Valdes announced her switch from the Democratic to Republican Party on Monday and said it would be "effective immediately."

In a statement posted to X, Valdes wrote, "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. In the House, I have long known that no one has a monopoly on good ideas. 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."

She pointed to the Florida House Speaker's "vision" to help "work on real problems facing our communities" and said she was tired of being part of the party of "protesting" instead of "progress."

"Effective immediately, I will change my registration from a Democrat to Republican and will join the Republican Conference in the Florida House of Representatives. Our Speaker, Rep. Daniel Perez, 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 want to roll up my sleeves and work. I want to be a part of solving problems for West Tampa. I'm tired of being the party of protesting when I got into politics to be part of the party of progress. 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," she added.

"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. And in my heart, I know the best way to do that is to stand with Speaker Perez and join the Republican supermajority in the Florida House of Representatives," Valdes concluded in her statement.

Valdes, a resident of Tampa, represents Florida's 64th district in the state legislature. The area is a reliable swing district, per Florida's Voice. She won her 2024 race by less than five points.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis posted in support of Valdes, saying, "Welcome to the GOP, Rep. Valdes! Congrats to Speaker Daniel Perez on the biggest Republican majority in the history of the Florida House!"