Florida will have the largest Republican convention in House history

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) – A Florida representative has changed her voter registration from Democrat to Republican, leading to the largest Republican Conference in House history, according to Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez.

Tampa-area Rep. Susan Valdes switched party affiliation from Democrat to Republican on Monday, giving the GOP an 86-34 lead. Valdes was recently re-elected as a Democrat. (RELATED: Republicans win 218 seats in US House, giving Donald Trump and party control of government)

“I will not waste my last two years in the Florida Legislature being ignored in a caucus whose leadership expects me to ignore the needs of my community,” Valdes said in a statement. “I was tired of being in the party of protest when I entered politics to be part of the party of progress. I know I will not 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.”

“I love my community and will continue to fight every day to benefit the people of West Tampa, Hillsborough County and the state of Florida. 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,” Valdes continued.

President Perez released a statement regarding Valdes’ change.

“With this change, we will now have the largest Republican conference in the history of the Florida House of Representatives. I encourage all of you to reach out to Representative Valdes and welcome him to the Republican supermajority of our House,” Speaker Perez said in a statement.

Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell released a statement saying she was surprised and disappointed by the change.

“It feels especially egregious in light of the fact that just last week she ran for Hillsborough County Democratic Executive Committee chair and lost by a substantial margin. Susan should have trusted her constituents, not baited the facts. However, this does not change what the Democratic Caucus is here to do. We will never stop fighting for what we believe in: All Floridians, including those in Rep. Valdés, they deserve the freedom to be healthy, prosperous and safe,” said Driskell.

Gov. Ron DeSantis reacted to Valdes’ party affiliation change in a post for X.

Governor DeSantis’ statement supports Perez’s claim of the largest supermajority for the Florida House in its history.

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