Florida
FLAWLESS VICTORY: Florida House Speaker Perez Flips Susan Valdes’ Democratic Seat Without Election
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN) — Florida House Speaker Danny Perez has successfully bolstered the Republican supermajority in the Florida House of Representatives without holding an election. On Monday, Tampa State Representative Susan Valdes announced she was switching her party affiliation from Democrat to Republican, boosting the GOP’s control to 86-34, marking the largest Republican majority in the Florida House’s history.
Democrat & Hispanic Florida State Lawmaker Susan Valdes Flips to GOP: House Speaker Perez Secures Historic Majority
“Protest Party” No More: Rep. Valdes Joins Republicans, Cites Frustration with Democrats
In a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), Valdes said she made the decision to better serve her constituents.
“In the House, I have long known that no one has a monopoly on good ideas,” Valdes stated. “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, a former Hillsborough County School Board member, was first elected as a Democrat in 2018. She has been a strong critic of the GOP’s stance on immigration policies but now says she is focused on “progress, not protest.”
See statement below… pic.twitter.com/JUVhsziSL7
— Susan L. Valdés (@SusanLValdesFL) December 9, 2024
Her decision comes just weeks after defeating Republican challenger Maura Cruz Lanz by 5% in her re-election bid. The timing has drawn criticism from House Democratic leaders and party supporters.
Speaker Jose Oliva, R-Miami Lakes and Rep. Fentrice Driskell, D-Tampa, discuss proposed healthcare legislation on the House floor. March 20, 2019. by Robert Hunter
Democratic Backlash: ‘Elevated Her Aspirations Over Her District’s Needs’
The move has sparked strong criticism from House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell, who represents a neighboring district in Tampa. Driskell called Valdes’ switch “disappointing” and accused her of prioritizing her political future over her constituents.
“Rep. Valdes was elected by her constituents as a Democrat to fight for our shared values here in Tallahassee,” Driskell said. “It is sad that she has elevated her own aspirations above the needs of her district.”
Republican Leaders Applaud Valdes’ Shift
Republicans were quick to welcome Valdes with open arms. Speaker Perez praised her as “a fierce advocate for her community and a person of uncommon common sense.” Gov. Ron DeSantis also took to X to welcome her to the Republican Party, saying, “Welcome to the GOP, Rep. Valdes.”
Valdes says her decision to join the Republican caucus is about achieving results.
“I’m tired of being the party of protesting when I got into politics to be part of the party of progress,” Valdes said. “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.”
Florida State Representative Susan Valdes congratulated Puerto Rican State Representative Daisy Morales on the passage of her first bipartisan bill on the House floor in 2020. Source Florida House.
Hispanic Lawmakers Vanishing from House Democratic Caucus: Impact of Valdes’ Party Switch
Hispanic Lawmakers Face Decline in Florida House Democratic Caucus
The defeat of Puerto Rican State Representative Daisy Morales in the 2022 election, driven by opposition from within her own Democratic Party due to her bipartisan collaboration with Republicans to better serve her constituents, highlights a troubling trend for Florida Democrats.
The recent departure of another Hispanic lawmaker, Representative Susan Valdes, has intensified concerns about the shrinking presence of Hispanic voices within the House Democratic Caucus. As Republicans continue to strengthen their appeal among Hispanic voters, the Democratic Party is seeing a noticeable decline in Hispanic representation.
Valdes’ departure reflects a broader shift in Florida’s political landscape, where Republican gains among Hispanic constituencies have left Democrats scrambling to maintain their influence in the state. The loss of key Hispanic lawmakers poses significant challenges for the party’s ability to connect with a vital and growing voter demographic.
Takeaways: Key Lessons from Valdes’ Party Switch
- Historic Republican Supermajority: With an 86-34 majority, Republicans now have one of the largest legislative advantages in Florida’s modern political history.
- Shift in Hispanic Representation: Valdes’ move underscores the broader struggle for Democrats to retain Hispanic representation and relevance in Florida.
- Valdes’ Pragmatic Approach: Her “protest vs. progress” statement signals that some lawmakers are growing weary of opposition politics and want a seat at the governing table.
- Potential Recruitment of More Lawmakers: Republican insiders have hinted at possible recruitment of other Hispanic Democratic lawmakers to join the GOP, following Valdes’ lead.
- Impact on 2024 Legislative Session: The House will begin committee assignments in January, and Valdes’ role in GOP priorities could reshape the legislative agenda.
What’s Next? Valdes & Perez Could Recruit More Hispanic Lawmakers
Political insiders say Valdes’ switch may not be the last. Republican leaders, with Speaker Perez at the helm, could use her as a bridge to recruit other Hispanic lawmakers. If this effort succeeds, Democrats could see their influence further eroded in a state that has been trending red in recent election cycles.
The Florida House’s interim committee meetings begin in January, with the legislative session kicking off on March 4, 2025. All eyes will be on Valdes and any potential shifts in legislative priorities as a result of her party switch.
Florida
Orange County Mayor Launches Obama-Style Campaign for Florida Governor, Calling for Unity, Leadership, and Change
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — Before a packed ballroom of cheering supporters at the Rosen Centre on Orlando’s International Drive Thursday evening, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings officially launched his campaign for Governor of Florida in 2026, declaring that it’s time to “turn the page” on division and usher in a “new style of leadership.”
The 66-year-old former Orlando Police Chief and Orange County Sheriff — now serving his second term as mayor — delivered a powerful, hopeful message reminiscent of President Barack Obama’s campaign themes of unity and renewal, rallying voters with the promise that “the power of the people is greater than the people in power.”
A Message of Unity and Renewal
“This is not a right or left moment, but a right or wrong moment in our history,” Demings told the energized crowd. “We’re tired of toxic and divisive politics. If you vote for me, it’s a vote for a new style of leadership. It’s a vote for change. It’s a vote for democracy.”
The crowd erupted as Demings leaned into his record of public service and crisis management, drawing a sharp contrast with political partisanship in Tallahassee. He pledged to restore local control, raise wages, stabilize housing costs, and improve access to mental health care through public-private partnerships.
“They call me woke,” Demings said, pausing as the audience laughed. “I don’t know what they mean — but after four and a half decades of public service, they woke me up.”
Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings’ wife, former U.S. Congresswoman Val Demings, tells a standing-room-only crowd, “Help is on the way,” during her husband’s campaign kickoff rally for Florida governor at the Rosen Centre in Orlando, Florida, on Thursday, November 6, 2025.
Photo by J. Willie David, III / Florida National News
Val Demings: ‘Help Is on the Way’
Demings’ wife, former Congresswoman Val Demings, introduced him to thunderous applause. “Through all of the darkness,” she told the audience, “help is on the way.”
Her remarks framed her husband’s candidacy as a call to hope and action, positioning him as a pragmatic problem-solver rooted in Florida values.
Demings, who has long clashed with Governor Ron DeSantis over COVID-19 restrictions, immigration, and state control of local budgets, promised to bring people together across party lines. “My goal is to engage the private sector in working with the public sector to solve the issues that affect us all,” he said.
Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings held a press conference to answer questions from the media following his historic campaign kickoff rally for Florida governor at the Rosen Centre in Orlando, Florida, on Thursday, November 6, 2025. Photo by J. Willie David, III / Florida National News
A Campaign to Make History
If elected, Demings would become Florida’s first Black governor — a milestone both Republicans and Democrats acknowledge as a turning point in the state’s history.
He faces a crowded field, but his reputation as a steady crisis manager — having led Central Florida through mass shootings, hurricanes, and the pandemic — has made him a formidable contender.
Asked to contrast himself with likely Republican opponent Rep. Byron Donalds, Demings didn’t hesitate: “He’s never been a crisis manager or leader. I’ve led through storms, tragedies, and rebuilding — not from the sidelines, but in the arena.”
‘A New Sheriff in Town’
Demings’ closing line drew roaring applause: “If you vote for me, it’s a vote for the right person at the right time,” he said. Then, echoing a phrase once used by DeSantis himself, Demings smiled and declared, “It’s time for a new sheriff in town.”
With a listening tour planned across the state, Demings aims to build a grassroots movement that transcends party lines — one he hopes will awaken Florida’s independent voters and redefine what leadership looks like in the Sunshine State.
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J Willie David, III | News@FloridaNationalNews.com
TAMPA BAY, Fla. (FNN) – The David Jolly for Governor campaign has extended a warm welcome to Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, who officially entered the 2026 Democratic primary for Florida Governor. The campaign emphasized the importance of a respectful and substantive primary race that strengthens the Democratic Party and enhances its chances in the general election.
“I welcome Mayor Demings to this important race,” said former U.S. Representative David Jolly, Democratic candidate for Governor. “All of Florida—Democrats, Republicans, and independents alike—deserves a spirited Democratic Party primary that puts voters first, one rooted in real solutions for the affordability of housing and healthcare, the future of public education, protecting personal freedoms, and restoring trust and competence in government.”
Jolly’s remarks signal a collaborative tone within the Democratic field, focusing on unity and shared goals amid growing anticipation for a competitive 2026 gubernatorial race.
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J Wilie David, III | News@FloridaNationalNews.com
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