“In the House, I have long known that no one has a monopoly on good ideas,” Valdes wrote in a statement posted on X.
A former Hillsborough County School Board member, Valdes first ran for House as a Democrat in 2018 and was elected to represent District 64, outside of Tampa.
Until Monday, Valdes, who is the daughter of Cuban immigrants, was a lifelong Democrat.
There was little to no indication of her move to switch parties, the Tallahassee Democrat reported.
The Florida GOP now has a 86-34 majority in the House.
“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,” Speaker Danny Perez, R-Miami, said in a statement. »