• Florida Senate Minority Leader Jason Pizzo resigns from the Democratic Party.
• Pizzo claims the party is "dead" and expresses intentions to run for governor as an independent.
• Nikki Fried, chair of the Florida Democratic Party, criticized Pizzo's leadership and welcomed his departure.
• His exit marks a trend of party infighting and dwindling influence for Florida Democrats.
• Registered Republicans now outnumber Democrats in Miami-Dade County.

Florida Senate Minority Leader Jason Pizzo announced his departure from the Democratic Party on Thursday, declaring it "dead" during a dramatic speech on the Senate floor. Pizzo revealed that he was changing his voter registration to “no party affiliation,” a choice that highlights the increasing number of independent voters in Florida. He criticized modern partisanship as "a mess" and called for practical leadership. "There are good people that can resuscitate it, but they don’t want it to be me," he stated, underscoring his discontent with the party’s current trajectory, according to The Hill, Newsweek, and The New York Times.

Pizzo's resignation comes amidst ongoing struggles for the Florida Democratic Party, which has faced a declining influence and upheaval in recent years. His announcement follows a series of departures from the party, including recent switches by state representatives Susan Valdes and Hillary Cassel to the Republican Party. In response, Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried characterized Pizzo as "one of the most ineffective and unpopular Democratic leaders in recent memory," suggesting that his resignation is beneficial for party unity, according to The Hill and Newsweek.

Additionally, Pizzo's exit signals broader tensions within the party, as reflected in his contentious comments during his time in office, where he faced accusations for his stances on issues affecting minority communities. He has hinted at a potential independent run for governor, aiming for a fresh start without the constraints of party affiliation. "Stripping myself of the title of a party designation allows me to run free and clear," he expressed, as the political landscape shifts increasingly towards Republican dominance in Florida, according to The New York Times and Newsweek.