The man thought by many to be the Florida Democrats’ best chance at retaking the Governor’s Mansion is leaving the party altogether.

In an intense speech on the Senate floor, Senate Democratic Leader Jason Pizzo announced that he is resigning from that role and has submitted a form to change his voter registration to no party affiliation (NPA).

He said Florida voters are craving practical leaders, not “political hacks” restrained from following their moral compass due to party loyalty.

“I am not in this position because of Democrats. I got elected because of NPAs, the 3.7 million people who have no party, who have no representation,” he said.

“Stripping myself of a title of a party designation allows me to run free and clear, clean and transparent and help many, many more.”

Senate Democrats have since selected Lori Berman of Boynton Beach to lead them, Florida Politics has learned.

Pizzo, who has long been rumored to be mulling a run for Governor and all but confirmed his intention to do so with Florida Politics just before Session began, said members of his soon-to-be former party have grown hostile to him.

“Here’s the issue: The Democratic Party in Florida is dead, but there are good people that can resuscitate it. But they don’t want it to be me. That’s not convenient. It’s not cool,” he said.

“The Republican Party has a lot of problems. I said, and you’ve heard me say, that the pendulum is going to swing so far and the glutton will be so strong and so viscous that it’s going to swing back. (But) the party that my dad volunteered for JFK when he was 18 years old in 1960 is not the party today. It craves and screams and then demands amnesty. That’s not OK.”

The announcement came one day after Pizzo said on the Senate floor that some Democrats had called him a racist for opposing legislation to settle a water services dispute between two Miami-Dade cities, one of which — Miami Gardens — is Florida’s largest Black city by population.

Pizzo, a former county prosecutor, said he opposed the bill because it conflicted with provisions in the Florida Constitution that limit the Legislature’s fiscal impact on local governments.

“I read the plain reading of the law,” he said. “And if anybody’s feelings are hurt and think I’m a racist for my position, suck it.”

Pizzo’s support for expanding Florida’s E-Verify system to counteract illegal immigration was another sticking point, as most of his Democratic colleagues opposed it.

He also found himself at odds with some Democrats and local officials following the Oct. 7 attack on Israel, telling cities in his district to get “on the right side of history” or lose his support for their legislative interests. Pizzo had previously flown to Israel to meet with leaders and survivors.

Jacksonville Democratic Rep. Angie Nixon, who is also rumored to be considering a run for Governor and sponsored a failed resolution calling for a ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas in “occupied Palestine,” said that if the Democratic Party is dead, it’s because Pizzo “had his finger on the trigger.”

“He’s been in leadership for the past four years talking down on many marginalized communities,” she told Florida Politics. “If you ask if I have direct words for him? BYE!”

Nixon added that she doesn’t believe the Florida Democratic Party is dead. “We are regrouping,” she said. “And I look forward to us continuing to fight for working families and all Floridians.”

Robert Dempster, a former Chair of the Miami-Dade Democratic Party, rejected any intimation that Pizzo is racist.

“Look at his record as a prosecutor and some of the bills he’s carried, including one he co-sponsored this year to compensate a wrongly incarcerated Black man and his support of Amendment 4 to restore the voting rights of felons, which disproportionately impacted Black and Brown people. Any suggestion that he’s a racist is laughable,” Dempster, who is Black, told Florida Politics. “When I was Chair of both the Miami-Dade Progressive Caucus and the Miami-Dade Democratic Party, we didn’t have a bigger and more generous supporter than Jason Pizzo, and it really is a shame that six months after the election, Nikki Fried and the Florida Democratic Party are still losing members.”

Fried, who won her Chair of the state party after mounting an unsuccessful bid for Governor in 2022, was vitriolic in her response to Pizzo’s departure. She called him the most “ineffective” and “unpopular” Democratic leaders in recent memory and his resignation “one of the best things to happen to the party in years.”

“His legacy as a leader includes continually disparaging the party base, starting fights with other members, and chasing his own personal ambitions at the expense of Democratic values,” she said in a statement. “Jason’s failure to build support within our party for a gubernatorial run has led to this final embarrassing temper tantrum. … The Florida Democratic Party is more united without him.”

House MInority Leader Fentrice Driskell offered more of the same. She said Pizzo “has been alienating himself” from the party for “a long time” and that Democrats not solely determined to stop President Donald Trump’s “dangerous chaos should get out of the way.”

“He’s completely distracted by his ambition to be governor, and he has clearly lost the ability to lead the Senate Democratic Caucus,” she said in a statement. “The party needs strong Democrats who are ready to stand up to Trump, not big egos more interested in performative outrage than true leadership. Legislative Democrats will be fine without him. The Democratic Party is not dead, but if it was Jason Pizzo should consider the fact that he has been a party leader and would bear some responsibility.”

Last month, freshman Democratic Rep. Jose Alvarez said he was no longer welcome in the Democratic office because he supported a Republican bill. He claimed Driskell chastised him after the meeting in front of other lawmakers. Alvarez and Driskell disputed who the primary aggressor was in the exchange.

It remains to be seen how Pizzo’s NPA switch affects the 2026 gubernatorial race, provided he runs. Some predict it’ll prove beneficial.

Former Rep. Spencer Roach, a North Fort Myers Republican, said the change “will absolutely help” Pizzo if he decides to run.

“He is too much of a centrist to win a Dem primary, and a credible & centrist NPA candidate (who is capable of self-funding) will provide a much-needed home for moderate Dems and disaffected Republicans,” Roach wrote on X. “This is a game changer.”

Pizzo is independently wealthy. He belongs to a family, primarily based in New Jersey, in the homebuilding industry. He has described his late father, Kenneth Pizzo, as a centrist who influenced his political outlook. After working for the better part of a decade as an Assistant Miami-Dade Prosecutor, he ran and won his Senate seat in 2018, distinguishing himself as an incisive, bipartisan lawmaker on whom his Democratic colleagues could frequently count for legislative and financial support.

He has proved a moderately successful policymaker with legislation that carries his name, but he’s also sponsored several bills that served as prototypes for measures Republicans later carried and passed. That included proposals in 2019 and 2021 that failed to get votes on the Senate floor that would have helped to shore up condominium association accountability before the Surfside condo collapse, legislation expanding access to emergency opioid treatment and a bill last year that bans the intentional outdoor release of balloons.

“If you don’t have pride of authorship in this process, you can get a lot done,” he told Florida Politics in 2023.

During the COVID pandemic, Pizzo stayed in Tallahassee for months, processing unemployment claims. Republican U.S. Rep. Aaron Bean, then a state Senator, said staff estimated the average Senator helped 1,000 people during that time. Pizzo, he said, helped “somewhere between 15,000 and 16,000.” In the aftermath of the Surfside collapse, he spent weeks at the site providing aid behind the scenes while eschewing the camera, according to Democratic consultant Evan Ross.

“He does what we hope leaders in government would do: make things better,” Ross said. “And he doesn’t disappear once the spotlight turns off.”

Pizzo indicated Thursday that despite his decision to step down and leave the Democratic Party, he has no present intention of quitting public service.

“Even my worst detractors have no valid claim that I can be bullied, that I can be bought or even borrowed for a special interest,” he said. “I will return to who I was when I became a young man, independent in thought, in my passion and my conscience, not consultants will rule my behavior and conduct. I will continue to fight incredibly hard for everyone in the state of Florida. I am not in this position because of Democrats. I got elected because of NPAs, the 3.7 million people who have no party, who have no representation. … I’m not going to pander. I’m not going to rule and lead on probation. I’m going to follow my heart.”

Senate President Ben Albritton, a Wauchula Republican, called Pizzo “a good man” who has “become a good friend of mine.”

“I hope this allows him to be free,” Albritton said. He confirmed Pizzo had asked him in advance for time to make his announcement.

Pizzo is leaving the Democratic Party with ample time to run for Governor as an NPA. State rules require candidates in the 2026 election to switch parties or register without party affiliation by June 8.

Florida Politics contacted Pizzo for comment. He did not immediately respond.

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A.G. Gancarski, Ryan Nicol, Jacob Ogles and Gabrielle Russon contributed to this report.

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Last Call – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.

First Shot

Senate President Ben Albritton said budget leaders in the upper chamber still cannot agree on budget allocations with the House.

That guarantees Session will not end on time.

“I’m disappointed to report that we have not yet reached an agreement on allocations of the house,” the Wauchula Republican said in a six-speech speech on the Senate floor. “The biggest hurdle at this time is related to tax relief, both the number and the policy.”

Until the chambers agree on top lines for spending, appropriators in the chambers cannot meet for budget conferences. The Legislature must complete a budget and allow a three-day cooling period before final passage, which requires negotiations to be complete by Tuesday. But even if lawmakers convened through the weekend in budget conferences, it would be impossible to meet that deadline, Albritton made clear.

Senate Appropriations Chair Ed Hooper, a Clearwater Republican, and House Budget Chair Lawrence McClure, a Dover Republican, have sent offers on allocations back and forth over the past couple of days, both have previously told Florida Politics. 

Albritton said the Senate most recently sent an offer with $1.3 billion in recurring tax relief and $1.5 billion in non-recurring tax cuts, along with local tax relief. But he said Speaker Daniel Perez has held fast to an insistence that lawmakers pass a cut in the state sales tax rate, from 6% to 5.25%.

“We’ve considered the House’s broad, across-the-board sales tax proposal and long-term budget assumption from every angle we could think of,” Albritton said. “I understand their perspective, and I applaud the resolve to pursue better government, and I have an immense respect for the Speaker and his entire team. He’s a good man.

“At the end of the day, I’m just not comfortable with a proposal that I believe will likely lead to shortfalls, if not substantial shortfalls, in the out years.”

Read more on Florida Politics.

Evening Reads

—“Are things falling apart for Donald Trump? ” via Aaron Blake of The Washington Post

—”Trump plans to target ActBlue, Democrats’ cash engine” via Maggie HabermanReid J. Epstein and Kenneth P. Vogel of The Washington Post

—”Xi is ratcheting up China’s pain threshold for a long fight with Trump” via Josh Chin of The Wall Street Journal

—”RFK JR. wants an autism ‘registry.’ people are pissed” via Elizabeth Yuko of Rolling Stone

—”Congressional Republicans might set off the debt bomb” via Jessica Riedl of The Atlantic

—”Are Democrats playing into Trump’s hands by fighting deportations?” via Eric Levits of Vox

—”Florida Senate Democratic leader drops party, switches to no-party affiliation” via Rome Ellenbogen of the Tampa Bay Times

—”Hope Florida probe ends in no-shows. The work is just beginning, Chair says” via Gabrielle Russon of Florida Politics

—”House abruptly drops its Hope Florida investigation for the Session” via Christine Sexton and Mitch Perry of the Florida Phoenix

—”Ron and Casey DeSantis blame ‘political agendas’ for Hope Florida ‘misunderstanding’” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics

—”Bye bye blue? Poll says majority of Dems say they could move out of Florida by end of decade” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics

Quote of the Day

“In the real world, if someone defrauded the state or a charity out of $10 million someone would go to prison. This isn’t Camp Tallahassee — this is real money.”

— Rep. Alex Andrade, after the House investigation into Hope Florida closed out for this Session.

Put it on the Tab

Look to your left, then look to your right. If you see one of these people at your happy hour haunt, flag down the bartender and put one of these on your tab. Recipes included, just in case the Cocktail Codex fell into the well.

The Democratic Party didn’t know it would be drinking a Death In The Afternoon, but Sen. Jason Pizzo served one up anyway.

Session won’t be ending on time, but Senate President Ben Albritton lessened the pain by telling lawmakers (and by extension us) they can have a Lazy Sunday … and Saturday, too!

Rep. Alex Andrade and the Governor can share an Awkward Pause now that the inquiry into Hope Florida has been shelved for Session.

Breakthrough Insights

Tune In

NFL draft kicks off tonight

The NFL draft begins tonight with the first round (8 p.m. ET on ESPN and NFL Network) and continues over the next two days.

Each of the three Florida teams has different needs. The Jacksonville Jaguars hold the fifth pick in the draft and 10 picks overall. The Jaguars have a bushel of needs, but with new leadership, head coach Liam Coen and general manager James Gladstone, the team must add players who will help to rebuild the culture in the locker room.

The Jaguars have long been associated with Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham in various mock drafts. But over the past week, a new name has begun to surface in connection with the Jaguars’ first-round pick. Heisman Trophy runner-up Ashton Jeanty could be the only running back taken in the first round and could go as high as the Jaguars at number five.

The Miami Dolphins hold the 13th pick in the first round and also have 10 picks in total. Miami could address cornerback, safety, guard, or defensive tackle in the first round. Texas cornerback Jahdae Brown is a popular pick among mock drafts for the Dolphins. South Carolina safety Nick Emmanwori and Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon could also be in play at the pick. 

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have fewer holes to fill. They could add a pass rusher, cornerback, or inside linebacker. Michigan’s Will Johnson was projected as a top 10 pick early in the draft process but seems to have slid to the teens. Tennessee outside linebacker James Pearce could also be a possibility with the Bucs’ pick. Tampa Bay has only six picks in the draft.

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Last Call is published by Peter Schorsch, assembled and edited by Phil Ammann and Drew Wilson, with contributions from the staff of Florida Politics.

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As the head of the Florida Institute of CPAs (FICPA), I represent over 40,000 Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) who live and work in communities across Florida, serving clients throughout the state and beyond.

Each of these CPAs is impacted by Florida House Bill 991 and its new companion, SB 110. This bill contains many worthwhile components, but parts of the proposed legislation will certainly harm Florida’s economy and the public.

This proposal admirably aims to cut red tape, but goes too far by eliminating continuing education standards that are critical to professional development and alignment with national standards. Let me be clear, CPAs are pro-business and support efficiencies; frankly, we don’t know any other way.

This proposal takes a one-size-fits-all approach that eliminates education standards for engineers, architects, CPAs, and other high-impact professionals. It actually adds red tape and bureaucracy. And it puts the burden on the public to determine if the professional they hire is qualified and up to date on the latest best practices in their fields.

High-impact, technical professions require education and strong, efficient peer oversight from their peer Boards for good reason. Rigorous standards exist to protect the public from substandard work.

CPAs are guardians of trust and transparency. When you hire a CPA or entrust them with your finances, you want the most qualified professional with thorough knowledge of recent laws and changes in those laws. You want the CPA who employs the very best practices. Last year alone, there were more than 400 changes to the Internal Revenue Code. This year will be no different.

Moreover, Florida-licensed professionals will lose credibility nationally (and internationally) and will encounter problems when trying to use their license to practice outside of Florida.

Removing Continuing Professional Education (CPE) requirements would place Florida at odds with nearly every other state and create unnecessary burdens, including loss of practice privileges in other jurisdictions. It could also jeopardize firms’ compliance with national quality standards, increasing the likelihood of federal scrutiny and limiting access to audit work.

There’s a responsible way to improve licensing in Florida and addressing efficiencies within the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) is a good idea. But there is simply no reason to go further than that by legislating out reasonable standards for education and eliminating Boards of subject matter experts that oversee their respective professions to protect the public.

The Florida Board of Accountancy plays a critical role in upholding the integrity and reliability of the CPA profession within the state. From providing expertise to enforcing licensing standards and investigating ethical violations, the Board protects consumers, businesses, and the overall financial health of Florida’s economy. Board members – particularly licensed CPAs – bring subject matter expertise and ethical judgment that staff members do not possess, given the highly technical nature of their work. This expertise is crucial for interpreting complex cases, setting policy, and ensuring fair, consistent regulation of the profession.

Eliminating or weakening this oversight body would risk diminishing public trust, increasing financial misconduct, and undermining the accountability of professionals who manage billions in assets, taxes, and public funds. The Florida Board of Accountancy is 100% self-funded and does not require general revenue to operate. Replacing it with general DBPR staff oversight would increase costs, reduce subject matter competency, and isolate Florida from national collaboration.

We urge the Legislature to preserve the Board of Accountancy and maintain CPE requirements for CPAs. While we support efforts to modernize and streamline CPA licensure, we strongly oppose the elimination of the Florida Board of Accountancy and the removal of CPE requirements. These changes would break from national standards, undermine professional consistency, and create barriers for Florida CPAs operating across state lines. We want Florida to lead, not be left out.

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Shelly Weir is the president and CEO of the Florida Institute of CPAs.

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