Florida Official Switches Parties

[applegrove]

Florida Official Switches Parties

May 7, 2025 at 11:43 am EDT By Taegan Goddard 54 Comments

https://politicalwire.com/2025/05/07/florida-official-switches-parties/

After 17 years on the Orlando City Commission, retired police officer and U.S. Marine veteran Tony Ortiz has changed his political party from Republican to Democrat, saying it “is not the Republican party I signed up with,” the Orlando Sentinel reports.

[bif]

1. Wow. That took major cajonas!

[sop]

2. 'Orlando is one of few places in Florida trending blue.'

(From floridapolitics.com) "Orlando City Commissioner Tony Ortiz has switched his party registration from Republican to Democrat as he ponders a run for Orlando Mayor."

“'Though my current role is nonpartisan, I’ve long been affiliated with the Republican Party,' Ortiz said in a statement to local media. 'I once believed it stood for duty, accountability, individual freedom, and family values. But over time, that party has changed. And I can no longer stand by in silence as it turns its back on the very people I’ve sworn to protect.'"

"Ortiz has served on the Orlando City Council since 2008. During his time in office, the Orlando area has been among a small number of places in Florida to become more Democratic as the state trended Republican."

Ortiz is the first Puerto Rican to hold elected office in Orlando (District ); the Puerto Rican population has increased in recent years, and the city is trending blue. His potential run for Orlando Mayor probably figured into his decision.

[DENVERPOPS]

3. Yes

The MAGAots need to realize that THIS AIN'T YOUR FATHER'S REPUBLICAN PARTY, IT HAS BEEN HI-JACKED BY THE EVIL ONES

[Dan]

4. I don't believe those politicians that switch party for a second...

They don’t care ‘if is not the same party…’ crap, they only care about being able to stay on the government tit. It’s probably that his pollsters shared that if he remains a GOP then there is a chance he will lose. This man does not share our Democratic values or believes - in my opinion, he is a self serving politician able to speak out of both sides of his mouth.

IMO

[Oopsie Daisy]

5. I'm pleased if it gives us a majority... but I cannot trust anyone who switches parties.

Rather than being something that represents courage or personal convictions, I think the act of switching (either just-once, or back-and-forth) is something that politicians do for personal and political gain. They're gaming the system and deceiving the voters.

[littlemissmartypants]

6. I'm guessing, but I bet he's not going to be a Progressive Democrat. ❤️

[hibbing]

7. What part?

The racism, religious hypocrisy, authoritarianism, shifting the tax burden from the ruling class to the middle class, lawbreaking, and many other policies and beliefs have been an integral component of the party throughout my life.

[Joinfortmill]

8. Hope we see more of this