Florida county rep abandons House Democrats and joins Republican supermajority

Jackie Llanos, Florida Phoenix
28 December 2024
Broward County Democratic State Rep. Hillary Cassel in St. Petersburg on Aug. 24, 2023. (Photo by Mitch Perry/Florida Phoenix)

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.

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.

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