A second Democrat reelected to the Florida House of Representatives this year has joined the Republican Party, further increasing the GOP’s supermajority in the chamber.
State Rep. Hillary Cassel, an attorney from Dania Beach, announced Friday that she had changed her party affiliation from Democrat to Republican, saying that she no longer shares the values of the current Democratic Party and that she believes it will be easier to deliver on her promises by joining the majority party.
“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 said in a statement. “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.”
Cassel’s announcement comes less than a month after state Rep. Susan Valdés, a former school board member who was reelected as a Democrat in November, switched her party affiliation to Republican. Valdés said she was “tired of being the party of protesting.”
Republicans secured their supermajorities in both the state House and Senate in the November election and retained their ability to pursue their agenda without meaningful opposition. With Cassel and Valdés as Republicans, the GOP now has an 87-33 majority in the House — marking the largest Republican Conference in the chamber’s history.
House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, said in a statement to the Times/Herald that he was “thrilled” to welcome Cassel to the Republican team and add to the party’s supermajority in the chamber.
“Her decision reflects the strength of our vision for Florida’s future,” Perez said. “We look forward to channeling Rep. Cassel’s intellect and energy as we work to deliver results and advance policies that promote opportunity and prosperity for all Floridians.”
Cassel represents House District 101 — which includes Davie and a stretch that covers the Fort Lauderdale airport, Dania Beach and Golden Isles. The district backed President-elect Donald Trump in the November election and swung 17% to the right, Democratic elections analyst Matthew Isbell said in a post on X. Voters in the district narrowly supported Democrat Debbie Mucarsel-Powell over Republican Sen. Rick Scott in Florida’s U.S. Senate race, Isbell said.
Cassel was first elected to the Florida House in 2022. She was automatically reelected without opposition this year when no one qualified to run against her.
On Friday, Cassel said she is looking forward to joining Republicans in the House because they “welcome different ideas and collaboration, which is the cornerstone of effective government.” In recent years, Cassel has been critical of Republicans’ approach to addressing the insurance crisis in the state.
She also said that she was “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,” she said. “I can no longer remain in a party that doesn’t represent my values.”
House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell, a Tampa Democrat, did not immediately respond to a request seeking comment on Cassel’s party affiliation change.
Times/Herald Tallahassee Bureau
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