BREAKING: Another Florida Democrat State Representative FLIPS Republican

Florida state Rep. Hillary Cassel has just flipped from Democrat to Republican.

She is the second Florida state representative to do so since the 2024 election.

Rep. Cassel is Jewish and says that she was troubled by the Democrat party’s refusal to support Israel, among other issues.

This brings the number of Florida Republicans in the legislature up to 87, with Democrats holding 33!

Here’s her full statement:

See statement below. pic.twitter.com/YJbqjpt8Kh

— Rep. Hillary Cassel (@RepCassel) December 27, 2024

Full transcript:

Today, I am announcing my decision to change my party affiliation from Democrat to Republican. This decision was not made lightly but comes from a deep sense of responsibility to my constituents and my commitment to the values that guide my service. I will be joining the Republican Conference of the Florida House of Representatives because I believe in their vision for a better, more prosperous Florida.

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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. 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. 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.

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. The House Republican Conference empowers members to find common sense solutions to real issues facing all Floridians. They welcome different ideas and collaboration, which is the cornerstone of effective government. Those are my values.

I ran for office to make my community and this state better. I want my constituents to know my resolve to deliver on these promises has never been stronger. I know the best way to accomplish this is to join Speaker Perez and the Republican Conference in the Florida House of Representatives.

This brings the number of Florida Republicans in the legislature up to 87, with Democrats holding 33!

🚨 BREAKING: Florida State Representative Hillary Cassel to switch her party affiliation from Democrat to Republican.

Republicans now hold 87 seats in the Florida legislature compared to the Democrats 33.

WINNING! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 pic.twitter.com/QcL6ARTpIS

— Proud Elephant 🇺🇸🦅 (@ProudElephantUS) December 27, 2024

Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez congratulated Cassel’s move:

I am proud to share that @RepCassel has joined our House Republican Conference. Welcome to the team! https://t.co/UiFVrcny4L pic.twitter.com/6UdFrDj5eW

— Daniel Perez (@Daniel_PerezFL) December 27, 2024

The Palm Beach Post reported:

A second Florida Democratic lawmaker has switched parties this month, further swelling the legislative Republican supermajority.

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Rep. Hillary Cassel of Dania Beach, first elected to the state House in 2022, made the announcement on Tuesday afternoon.

“The decision was not made lightly but comes from a deep sense of responsibility to my constituents and my commitment to the values that guide my service,” Cassel said in a social media post, less than two months after winning a reelection in which she ran unopposed.

Earlier this month, Rep. Susan Valdes also changed parties to Republican.

From The Hill:

Cassel is the second former state House Democrat to leave the party this month after state Rep. Susan Valdés (R) left the party after losing a bid to become the chair of the Hillsborough County Democratic Party. Valdés said she did not want to spend what would be her final two years in the state Legislature “being ignored” in a caucus with leaders expecting her to ignore her community’s needs.

Republicans already enjoy a supermajority in both houses of the Florida Legislature, so Valdés and Cassel’s switches do not majorly shake up party power in the state. But they further add to the growing GOP dominance in a state that less than a decade ago was still considered the quintessential swing state.