TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — State Rep. Susan Valdes, who represents Florida’s 64th District, including parts of Hillsborough County, switched political parties, the Florida House of Representatives announced Monday.

Valdes, who was recently elected to her fourth term in the State House as a Democrat, is switching sides to join the Republicans.

Below is the statement that was released to House members on Monday:

Members,

I so rarely get to send a communication solely in my role as Republican Leader, but I am thrilled today to announce that Representative Susan Valdes has changed her voter registration from Democrat to Republican. 

We all know Susan as a fierce advocate for her community, and a person of uncommon common sense. She will be a great asset to our Republican team.

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 Rep. Valdes and welcome her to our House Republican supermajority.

Florida House of Representatives

According to her profile on FloridaHouse.gov on Monday, Valdes is affiliated as a Republican.

Rep. Valdes was first elected to the Florida Legislature in 2018. Prior to this, she served on the Hillsborough County School Board for two years.