Broward County Rep. Hillary Cassel announced Friday her decision to leave the Democrats and join the GOP, becoming the second state lawmaker to do so this month.
Cassel, who ran unopposed for her second term in November, in a post on X bashed the Democratic Party over what she called a lack of support for Israel and said she believes Republicans offer a better vision for Florida.
“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,” she wrote. “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.”
The Friday afternoon announcement means that House Democrats have lost four seats going into the 2025 session — two in the election and two from lawmakers disavowing the party.
Hillsborough County Rep. Susan Valdés announced on Dec. 9 that she had joined the Republicans, handing them the largest advantage in the history of the chamber. House Speaker Danny Perez on Dec. 17 appointed Valdés vice chair of the powerful budget committee.
Fellow Broward Rep. Michael Gottlieb, a Democrat and leader of the Florida Legislative Jewish Caucus, lamented the party’s loss of Cassel and said that while he didn’t understand her decision he respected it. But Gottlieb also defended the party’s support toward Israel.
“I’m not so sure that I agree with that,” Gottlieb told the Florida Phoenix, referring to Cassel’s criticism. “In fact, I traveled this summer to Israel with Rep. Cassel, and we heard that the administration was supporting Israel.”
Florida House Democrats also have shown support for Israel, Gottlieb said.
“As leader of the Florida Jewish Legislative Caucus and a Democrat, I feel that we do strongly support Israel and Jewish causes and Jews throughout the diaspora,” he said.
To members of the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus, both party switches stung of betrayal.
“One has to wonder whether Rep. Hillary Cassel is abandoning her principles as well as her party and the voters who elected her, “caucus president Kristen Browde said in a written statement.
“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.”
“Now is not the time to back down and walk away, it’s time for leadership and self-reflection,” FDP Chair Nikki Fried said in a written statement. “Floridians put their trust and faith in Representative Hillary Cassel to fight for them but unfortunately today, they lost representation in the Florida House. Rep. Cassel’s decision to change parties is deeply disappointing but we cannot afford to turn our backs on Floridians.
For the session starting in March, Cassel has filed a bill, HB 13, requiring Citizens Property Insurance, the state’s insurer of last resort, to make windstorm coverage available to any homeowner and condo association. She also filed that bill for the last session, but it died without a hearing.
–Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix
David Schaefer says
What a fool….
CAROL BYCEL says
Changing party after being duly elected and trusted by the constituency should not be allowed. This is a classic and basic example of “bait & switch”! It is despicable behavior and makes a mockery of the election process. Shame on you Cassel and Valdes!
Dennis C Rathsam says
MY MY MY!!! THE RATS ARE LEAVING THE SINKING SHIP!!!! Looks to me the KOOL- AID the jackass party drinks ,is past its experation date. Democrats, throughout the USA, are having the same thoughts, about the mess THIER partys in. Voters have left the in droves this year, the smart ones voted for change, a closed border, & prosperity. You see you can fool some people some of the time, but sooner or later they wise up to the tax & spend ways of yesteryear.Its a new dawn in America, a great future is now at hand…. It’s time for America to lead once again, not follow like OBAMA & BIDEN. A time to do great things in America, & time to show the world, America is the greatest country on earth!
JimboXYZ says
Legacy of Biden-Harris ? Bidenomics took only 2021-2024 to make Jimmy Carter Habitat for Humanity $ 300K unaffordable housing. Another Democrat coming to their senses & realizing Congress wasn’t doing anything but themselves any favors. They even tried to give themselves raises as Biden-Harris gets evicted from the WH. Good riddance Joe Biden & Kamala Harris overpaid pensions still on the books. Trump-Vance, Musk & Ramaswamy were able to kill off the Democrats last attempt to avoid a government shutdown legislation of a sandbag spending spree before 2025. Can’t do anything about the pardon & sentence commute party that the dementia POTUS is having. 22 days what else can Biden do to top off a disappointing 1 term administration. We can only hope he falls down & goes into a coma for the next 22 days to get beyond any more damage he can do to sandbag the next 1-4 years.
Deborah Coffey says
No, they are just such deceivers and outright liars that they have finally found their proper home…in the Republican Party.
Billy B says
It amazes me how much fox fake entertainment has brainwashed the diaper don supporters. Do a fact check please to see exactly what he did during his term, Start out with almost one million Americans dying because of the way he mishandled the covid pandemic. And end up with the seven trillion dollar debt he left us with. And what about a full year of his term playing golf to the tune of 186 Million.
Sherry says
The extremely mean spirited comments here from maga cult members clearly represents their own personal insecurities/lack of education/lack of intellect/fear and anger. Unfortunately, such weak minded, immoral people are easily indoctrinated into cults and terrorist organizations. Therefore, ruthless Rupert Merdoch’s media empire (Fox/NY Post etc.) has preyed upon millions with their 24/7 extreme right winged propaganda. As massive purveyors of conspiracy theories/misinformation/disinformation, the Murdoch media empire has planted the roots of paranoid fear and hate/white supremacy/anti-science/homophobia. . . you name it.
All the indoctrinated millions needed was a leader who shared their unhealthy insecurities/fear/hate. trump seized the moment in 2016, creating the maga cult.
Therefore, trump being elected merely means that millions of immoral Americans have been so Fox brainwashed into a trump messiah cult that they voted to put a “Convicted Felon and Sexual Abuser” into a 4 year office. . . much to the disgrace of our entire country! Full Stop! Nothing a cult member can say or do erases the FACTS of trump’s Criminal Conviction or Guilty Verdicts for Sexual Assault and Fraud!
JC says
Not shocked, more Jews I know are stop voting for Democrats and voting for Republicans. They think the Democrat party doesn’t want their Jewish vote anymore. End of the day, if the party doesn’t care about your interest they will vote for the party that will care about their interest.
Mark says
So the few “Jews” you know, as you say, have stopped voting for Democrats. That does not speak for all “Jews”, as you say, it only speaks for your little group.
Laurel says
Hey JimboXYZ: We were at the new Bass Pro Shop in St. Augustine yesterday, and the parking lot was packed, and families of all ages were crawling all over the $40K, $80K, $100K bass and party boats. Then we went out to eat at our favorite shrimp restaurant, and the parking lot was packed and people were lined up for more than an hour to eat. Regular gas was $2.42 at Costco, and $2.72 at Buccee’s. The stock market gained 10 trillion dollars under Biden.
Where have you been hiding?
You had better hope your felon hero doesn’t f**k things up 18 months from now as, until then, he will still be riding the Biden wave.
JC says
Excuse me? Your tone is offensive and knows it all.
As a Jew myself, the people I know are above 100. It used to be a 60/40 split Democrats, but now it turning more into 75/25 Republican split in my circle. The answers are the same: Democrats no longer care about the Jewish voter, so we will go the political party that wants our votes.
Atwp says
I think she has a right to jump ship. Voters have a right to throw her off of the ship.