The top Democrat in Florida's Senate is leaving his party, declaring that “the Democratic Party in Florida is dead."Senate Minority Leader Jason Pizzo's announcement on the Senate floor Thursday that he's changing his registration to no party affiliation is the latest blow to a party that has struggled to define itself after a series of crushing electoral losses in recent years.

State Sen. Jason Pizzo said he was stepping down as the Florida Senate's Democratic leader because he is quitting the Democratic Party.

Pizzo's departure marks another blow to Florida Democrats, who have faced a series of defeats and continued party infighting.