Another Florida House Dem Switches to GOP

Republicans in Florida have expanded their supermajority in the state House as Democrat Rep. Hillary Cassel announced Friday she was switching her party affiliation to Republican.

"Today, I am announcing my decision to change 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," Cassel began her statement posted on X.

Cassel, who calls herself a "proud Jewish woman" called out the Democrats for their acceptance of antisemitism within the party ranks, writing, "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."

The switch increases the GOP majority in the state House to 87-33 in the 120-seat chamber, Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez noted. Cassel is the second Democrat to become a Republican after Rep. Susan Valdes announced she was switching her party affiliation earlier in the month. In her announcement, Valdes noted that she didn't want to spend the next two years being "ignored" by her party and that she came from a family of Democrats and joined the party partially "out of habit."

"Today, Representative Hillary Cassel has left the Democratic Party and will be joining our House Republican Conference. She will be a valuable asset as we work together to improve the lives of all Floridians. I would encourage you to reach out to Rep. Cassel and welcome her to our team, which will now bring our Republican supermajority to a historic 87 members (73% of the House)," Perez wrote in a statement.

Cassel concluded her statement by acknowledging she won't agree with Republicans on every issue, but the modern GOP is more open to "input, collaboration and respect."

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