Darryl Rouson Ousted as Next House Democratic Leader

The Democratic minority in the Florida House met behind closed doors in Tallahassee on Monday night to oust Rep. Darryl Rouson, D-St. Petersburg, from becoming the caucus leader after next year's elections. Rouson garnered the support of 17 members of the Democratic caucus but 24 voted to dismiss him.

In recent weeks, Rouson has waged a public feud with Allison Tant, chairwoman of the Florida Democrats, over an affiliated party committee he ran for Democratic House candidates. Rouson eventually backed down after Tant fired two party staffers who knew about his leadership fund committee.

Having jumped over from the GOP to the Democrats before running for the Florida House, Rouson has never been on solid ground as the next Democratic House leader. Rouson defeated Rep. Mia Jones, D-Jacksonville, to become the next incoming House speaker by a two-vote margin and several of his colleagues sent emails urging his ouster after current House Democratic Leader Perry Thurston, D-Fort Lauderdale, called for Mondays meeting earlier this month.