Another Democratic state lawmaker in Florida is joining the Republican party
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida Democrats’ losses didn’t end on Election Day — a second state lawmaker has announced she’s switching her party affiliation and joining the Republican caucus.
In a post on social media, Rep. Hillary Cassel said Florida Democrats are out of touch with voters and that she has a better chance of achieving her priorities from within the Republican Party.
“I’m constantly troubled by the inability of the current Democratic Party to relate to everyday Floridians. I can no longer remain in a party that doesn’t represent my values,” Cassel posted on X.
Cassel, who is Jewish, also criticized the Democratic Party for its “failure to unequivocally support Israel.”
She declined an interview request from The Associated Press.
Cassel represents parts of Broward County, which is considered one of the state’s most reliably Democratic areas. Since no one ran against her in November, Cassel won reelection without appearing on the ballot.
Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried called Cassel’s decision “deeply disappointing.”
“Now is not the time to back down and walk away, it’s time for leadership and self-reflection,” Fried said.
Cassel’s announcement on Friday follows that of Rep. Susan Valdés of Tampa earlier this month, who was reelected as a Democrat in November but said she’s “tired of being the party of protesting.”
Florida Republicans have controlled the governor’s office and both branches of the Legislature since 1999. With Cassel’s switch, Republicans will expand their supermajority to an 87-33 margin over Democrats in the House.
Once the nation’s premier swing state, Florida has surged to the right in recent years. Susan MacManus, a professor emeritus of political science at the University of South Florida, said switching parties is an indication of how little power Democrats wield under a decades-long Republican trifecta.
“Democrats weren’t able to secure breaking the supermajority. So what choice do they really have?” MacManus said.
Kate Payne is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
Florida State Rep. Hillary Cassel becomes second Democrat to turn Republican since 2024 elections
TALLAHASSEE — State Rep. Hillary Cassel on Friday became the second House Democrat to switch her party affiliation since the November elections, further adding to Republicans' supermajority.
Cassel, a Dania Beach attorney, said in a post on X that she supports House Republicans' "vision for a better, more prosperous Florida" and questioned whether the Democratic Party adequately supports Israel.
"As a mother, I want to help build a world where our children are judged on their character and their actions not their labels," Cassel wrote. "As a proud Jewish woman, I have been increasingly troubled by the Democratic Party's failure to unequivocally support Israel and its willingness to tolerate extreme progressive voices that justify or condone acts of terrorism."
Cassel also questioned the Democratic Party's ability to "relate to everyday Floridians" and said the party "doesn't represent my values."
"I know I won't always agree on every detail with every Republican, but I do know that I will always have input, collaboration, and respect," Cassel said.
The announcement came after Tampa Rep. Susan Valdes switched from Democrat to Republican on Dec. 9. Valdes made the move after she lost a bid to become chairwoman of the Hillsborough County Democratic Executive Committee.
The House quickly updated Cassel's party affiliation on its website, with House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, posting on X "welcome to the team!"
Republican Party of Florida Chairman Evan Power also praised Cassel's move.
"I've (known) her for a long time and I know she will be a valuable addition to our team!" Power posted on X.
But Rep. Angie Nixon, D-Jacksonville, lambasted Cassel's decision as "a betrayal of the voters who entrusted her to represent their values as a Democrat."
Kristen Browde, president of the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus, also issued a statement blasting the move.
"One has to wonder whether Rep. Hillary Cassel is abandoning her principles as well as her party and the voters who elected her," Browde said. "This is a representative who sought our endorsement and promised that she would defend equality. Now she is joining the forces of those who have sought to destroy it. This is inexplicable as well as disappointing. And it means that Cassel, like fellow turncoat Rep. Susan Valdes, can no longer be trusted by voters of either party."
Cassel's move expanded the GOP supermajority to 87 members in the 120-seat House. It was a further blow to Democrats, whose hopes of cutting into the supermajority were dashed in the Nov. 5 elections.
After getting elected in 2022 in Broward County's House District 101, Cassel faced no opposition as she won a second term in November. She has been a leader for House Democrats on property insurance issues.
