A member of the Florida House has switched her political party affiliation from Democratic to Republican, making her the second House lawmaker to do so this month.
State Rep. Hillary Cassel, who represents Florida’s House District 101, said in a statement shared via X her decision stems from a “deep sense of responsibility” to her constituents and a commitment to the values that “guide” her “service.” The lawmaker won reelection last month after running unopposed.
“As a mother, I want to help build a world where our children are judged on their character and their actions[,] not on their labels,” she wrote Friday.
Cassel said that, as a Jewish woman, she has felt “increasingly troubled” by the Democratic Party’s “failure to unequivocally support Israel.” She also expressed frustration with the party’s willingness to “tolerate extreme progressive voices that justify or condone acts of terrorism.”
“I’m constantly troubled by the inability of the current Democratic Party to relate to everyday Floridians,” Cassel said. “I can no longer remain in a party that 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,” she added. “The House Republican conference empowers members to find common sense solutions to real issues facing all Floridians.”
The sentiments echo those shared earlier this month by state Rep. Susan Valdés, who also left the Democratic Party to join the Republican Party. Valdés said in a statement she grew tired of “being the party of protesting” since she “got into politics to be part of the party of progress.”
“I know that I won’t agree with my fellow Republican House members on every issue, but I know that in their caucus, I will be welcomed and treated with respect,” she said.
The Florida Democratic Party pushed back on Valdés’s decision earlier this month, calling it “hypocritical and self-serving.”
Florida’s regular 2025 legislative session begins on March 4. The party switches by Cassel and Valdés add to the Republican Party’s majority in the Florida House.
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