Florida State Representative Hillary Cassel, a Dania Beach attorney, announced Friday that she is switching her party affiliation from Democrat to Republican, marking the second Democratic defection in Florida’s House since the November elections. The move further strengthens the Republican supermajority in the state legislature, expanding their control to 87 of the 120 seats.
In a post on X, Cassel explained her decision, stating that she supports the House Republicans’ “vision for a better, more prosperous Florida” and expressed concern over the Democratic Party’s stance on key issues, particularly its approach to Israel.
READ: Elon Musk Sparks Controversy By Calling Part Of MAGA Base “Contemptible Fools”
“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Cassel also criticized the Democratic Party for being out of touch with “everyday Floridians” and said it no longer represents her values. She expressed confidence in the Republican Party’s willingness to foster collaboration and respect, even when disagreements arise.
Cassel’s announcement follows Tampa Representative Susan Valdes’ switch from Democrat to Republican earlier this month. Valdes made her decision shortly after losing a bid to lead the Hillsborough County Democratic Executive Committee. Both defections have dealt a significant blow to the Florida Democratic Party, which struggled in the November elections to make gains against the GOP supermajority.
READ: CNN’s Scott Jennings Weighs In On Vivek Ramaswamy Squabble
Republican leaders celebrated Cassel’s decision. House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, welcomed her to the GOP in a post on X, while Republican Party of Florida Chairman Evan Power praised her as a “valuable addition to our team.”
Cassel’s defection was met with sharp criticism from Democratic leaders and activists. Representative Angie Nixon, D-Jacksonville, called the move “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 condemned Cassel, accusing her of abandoning the principles she once vowed to uphold. “This is a representative who sought our endorsement and promised that she would defend equality,” Browde said in a statement. “Now she is joining the forces of those who have sought to destroy it.”
READ: Florida AG Seeks Pause On Lawsuit Over Age-Verification Law For Adult Websites
Cassel’s defection underscores the challenges facing Florida Democrats, whose hopes of eroding the Republican supermajority were dashed in November’s elections. Cassel, who has served as a Democratic leader on property insurance issues, won reelection unopposed in Broward County’s District 101.
Her switch not only consolidates Republican power but also raises questions about the Democratic Party’s ability to maintain loyalty among its elected officials in the state. With Republicans already dominating the legislature, the defection adds momentum to GOP efforts to push their legislative agenda unimpeded.
As Florida Democrats work to regroup, Cassel’s decision signals the growing ideological and strategic divides within the party—and a political landscape increasingly favorable to Republicans in the Sunshine State.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.