DeSantis welcomes Florida state lawmaker to Republican Party as she ditches Democrats
Florida state Rep. Susan Valdés recently made headlines by announcing a significant shift in her political affiliation. After being re-elected as a Democrat just last month, Valdés revealed that she has decided to switch her party allegiance to Republican.
In a statement released to the press, Valdés explained her reasoning behind this decision. She expressed frustration with the Democratic caucus’s leadership, stating that she felt ignored and unable to adequately address the needs of her community within that framework. As a result, she made the bold choice to align herself with the Republican Party, believing that she would receive a warmer reception and more respect from her colleagues on that side of the aisle.
This move comes shortly after Valdés had been vying for the role of chair of the Hillsborough County Democratic Executive Committee. The abrupt change in her party affiliation has sparked criticism from some within the Democratic Party, with Hillsborough County Democratic Party chair Vanessa Lester expressing disappointment and accusing Valdés of prioritizing political opportunism over the needs of her constituents.
On the other hand, Sunshine State Gov. Ron DeSantis extended a warm welcome to Valdés as a new member of the Republican Party. DeSantis praised her decision to join the GOP and congratulated Speaker Daniel Perez on the Republican Party’s historic majority in the Florida House of Representatives.
Valdés has previously shown admiration for former President Jimmy Carter, whom she referred to as her hero in a social media post earlier this year. She had expressed a desire to see Carter live long enough to witness the inauguration of Vice President Kamala Harris. However, with President-elect Donald Trump set to begin his second term after defeating Harris in the 2024 presidential race, Valdés’ political allegiances have clearly shifted.
As the dust settles on this surprising development, it remains to be seen how Valdés’ switch to the Republican Party will impact her constituents and her future in Florida politics. Only time will tell how this bold move will shape her political career moving forward.
