The move expands the GOP majority in the state House to 86-34 in the 120-seat chamber, making it the largest Republican majority in the Florida House, according to a statement from Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez. In a statement, Valdes said she didn’t want to spend the next two years being “ignored” by her party.

“In the House, I have long known that no one has a monopoly on good ideas,” Valdes wrote in a statement posted on social media. “I will not waste my final two years in the Florida Legislature being ignored in a caucus whose leadership expects me to ignore the needs of my community.”

Last month, Valdes defeated Republican Maura Cruz Lanz by 5% in their Tampa area district to serve her fourth term in the Florida House. Valdes has frequently criticized Florida Republicans, notably those with harsher stances on immigration policies, according to the Tallahassee Democrat.

House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell, also from Tampa, said it was “sad” that Valdes “elevated her own aspirations above the needs of her district.”

“Rep. Valdes was elected by her constituents as a Democrat to fight for our shared values here in Tallahassee and has consistently and publicly shared that she feels the Republican Party does not adequately represent her constituents or her beliefs,” Driskell said.

However, Florida Republicans celebrated her switch. Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) welcomed her to the GOP in a social media post.

“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,” Perez added in his memo.

Valdes said she wants to work with Perez to help her district.

“I’m tired of being the party of protesting when I got into politics to be part of the party of progress,” Valdes wrote in her statement. “I know that I won’t agree with my fellow Republican House members on every issue, but in know that in their caucus, I will be welcomed and treated with respect.”