Another Florida Democrat Defects: Doral Vice Mayor Maureen Porras Switches to Republican

DORAL—  The City of Doral Vice Mayor Maureen Porras(D) has left the Democratic Party and registered as a Republican,  stating that one of the reasons she switched party affiliation was because  “socialist ideas” have seeped into the Democratic Party.

This is yet another big blow to the core of the Florida Democratic Party. Vice Mayor Porras becoming a Republican all but confirms that a growing number of Democrats, both at the municipal and state level, do not see a future or a way forward as registered Democrats.

After the 2024 Presidential election,  two  Democratic state representatives Hillary Cassel and Susan Valdes changed their party affiliations to Republican.

Commissioner Porras spoke exclusively to The Floridian, stating her frustration with her former political party while praising  President-elect Donald Trump’s recent reelection,” saying that his win over Vice President Kamala Harris “was a clear and resounding message from voters that our country needed a strong leader,” adding,” President Trump’s leadership transcends all levels of government.”

Porras made her frustration with the Florida Democratic Party crystal clear, stating that the party did not represent her “values and those of the majority of Americans.”

“Democratic Party has progressively moved further and further away from representing my values and those of the majority of Americans,” stated Porras.

The Floridian: What brought you to the decision to leave the Democratic Party and become a registered Republican?

Porras:For the past two years, as the only Democrat elected official in Northwest Miami Dade, I have worked closely with my Republican colleagues, friends, and neighbors. Throughout this time, we have found several commonalities and have worked together to uphold important values that define us and our community, including faith and family. I have felt strong support from Republican leaders in my work as a Councilwoman and now Vice Mayor of the City of Doral - support that I did not receive from Democratic leadership.

The Floridian:  Do you feel the Democratic Party has moved so far to the extreme fringe in politics that it does not represent your values and the values of the majority of Americans?

Porras: I feel that over the last couple of years,  the Democratic Party has progressively moved further and further away from representing my values and those of the majority of Americans. They have prioritized minority opinions and neglected to understand and address the real issues affecting our communities. That is why I cannot continue to represent a party that does not represent me or the community that I represent.

The Floridian: Did President-elect Trump’s mandated victory in 2024 influence your decision to jump ship?

Porras: President-elect Trump’s victory was a clear and resounding message from voters that our country needed a strong leader. President Trump’s leadership transcends all levels of government, becoming especially important in our city where he was able to intervene on behalf of our residents to keep a garbage incinerator from being rebuilt in our community. If it weren’t for his intervention, our community’s well-being and health would suffer. I am grateful as an elected official and resident that he cared enough about our community when other local leaders did not.

The Floridian: Also, considering that your family is from Nicaragua, do you believe or do you feel that the Democrat party has embraced some or many of the socialist values that have taken hold of Latin America?

Porras: Sadly, I have seen socialist ideas and beliefs from communist regimes seep into the Democratic Party and different Democratic groups. As an immigrant whose family fled the Nicaraguan communist regime and as an immigration attorney representing families fleeing socialism from Nicaragua, Venezuela, and Cuba, I cannot support advancing these ideas.

Porras, who was the first City of Doral commissioner to condemn the Israel-Hamas ceasefire resolution passed by her fellow commissioners, will be holding a press conference this week to formally announce her change of parties and could make other career-related announcements.

In response to a request for comment, Republican Party of Florida Chairman Evan Power took a swipe at his Florida Democratic counterparts, stating that their embracing of progressive agendas is now "costing them their very own elected officials!"

"The incredible shrinking minority. The Dems have catered to the left wing extremists in their party. Now it’s not just costing them voters, it’s costing them their very own elected officials," stated Chairman Power.

Kevin Cooper, who was recently elected Chairman of the Miami-Dade Republican Executive Committee, welcomed Porras to the Republican Party, calling her switching parties a "bold move."

"Vice Mayro Porras’ bold move to leave a party she feels no longer represents the values of most Americans ...Councilwoman Porras has the courage to say with many Democrats are saying in private: the Democratic Party is too far to the left, too extreme, too out of touch, and has embraced radical ideologies from Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela," said Cooper in a statement to The Floridian.

Cooper also acknowledged Porras' recognition of President Donald Trump's leadership.

"Over the last four years Republicans have seen massive gains due to our family friendly policies, and pro-growth initiatives and embrace of American freedom. Porras’ recognition of President Trump and Republican’s leadership in addressing issues that matter to Miami-Dade residents is a testament to the work we’ve done and the work we will continue to do," he added.

We have learned that there could be up to three more Miami-Dade County Democrat lawmakers ready to make the jump to the Republican Party in the coming months.