Sen. Jason Pizzo on Thursday announced he is leaving the Democratic Party and registering as no party affiliation (NPA), resigning his position as Senate Democratic Leader and citing a desire to serve independently.

Pizzo, who has represented parts of Miami-Dade County since 2018, said he submitted the paperwork to change his voter registration and expects the change to take effect Friday. In a floor speech, he said the move reflects a broader disconnect between political parties and a growing segment of the electorate.

“constituents are craving practical leaders, not political hacks,” Pizzo said, adding in a separate statement that “The Democratic Party in Florida is dead. There are good people who can resuscitate it, but they don’t want it to be me.”

The decision follows mounting tensions between Pizzo and members of his own party, from whom he has drawn criticism in for breaking with some Democrats on some issues, including support for expanding Florida’s E-Verify system.

In response to his departure, Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried issued a statement calling Pizzo “ineffective and unpopular,” and described his resignation as a positive development. She said his failure to build internal support for a rumored potential gubernatorial run contributed to the decision.

“His resignation is one of the best things to happen to the party in years,” said Fried. “His legacy as leader includes continually disparaging the party base, starting fights with other members, and chasing his own personal ambitions at the expense of Democratic values. Jason’s failure to build support within our party for a gubernatorial run has led to this final embarrassing temper tantrum. I’d be lying if I said I’m sad to see him go, but I wish him the best of luck in the political wilderness he’s created for himself.”

In 2023, the Senate Democrat Caucus unanimously voted for Pizzo as Senate Democrat Leader for the 2024 through 2026 legislative cycle. He succeeded former Senate Democrat Leader Lauren Book, who faced a term limit in 2024.