Republicans in Florida have added to their supermajority in the state House of Representatives after Rep. Susan Valdes announced she was switching her party affiliation, the Washington Examiner reported on Tuesday.
The switch increases the GOP majority in the state House to 86-34 in the 120-seat chamber, Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez announced. Valdes noted that she didn't want to spend the next two years being "ignored" by her party and that she had come from a family of Democrats and joined the party partially "out of habit."
"In the House, I have long known that no one has a monopoly on good ideas," Valdes wrote in a statement posted on X. "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."
"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," Valdes continued. "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."
House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell, also from Tampa, said it was "sad" that Valdes "elevated her own aspirations above the needs of her district."
In November, Valdes bested Republican Maura Cruz Lanz by 5% to win her fourth term in the Florida House.
"Rep. Valdes was elected by her constituents as a Democrat to fight for our shared values here in Tallahassee and has consistently and publicly shared that she feels the Republican Party does not adequately represent her constituents or her beliefs," Driskell said.
On the Republican side, the speaker was enthusiastic about Valdes joining his side of the aisle.
"We all know Susan as a fierce advocate for her community and a person of uncommon common sense," Speaker Perez wrote. "She will be a great asset to our Republican team."
James Morley III ✉
James Morley III is a writer with more than two decades of experience in entertainment, travel, technology, and science and nature.
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