Florida Democrats’ misfortunes did not finish on Election Day; a second state representative has announced she is switching parties and joining the Republican caucus.
Rep. Hillary Cassel said on social media that Florida Democrats are out of touch with voters and that she has a greater chance of reaching her goals within the Republican Party.
“I am continuously worried by the present Democratic Party’s incapacity to relate to ordinary Floridians. “I can no longer remain in a party that does not represent my values,” Cassel wrote on X.
Cassel, who is Jewish, also chastised the Democratic Party for its “failure to unequivocally support Israel.”
She declined an interview with The Associated Press.
Cassel represents sections of Broward County, which is regarded as one of the state’s most solidly Democratic counties. Because no one campaigned against her in November, Cassel was reelected without being on the ballot.
Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried described Cassel’s decision as “deeply disappointing.”
“Now is not the time to back down and walk away, it’s time for leadership and self-reflection,” Fried told the audience.
Cassel’s declaration on Friday follows that of Rep. Susan Valdés of Tampa earlier this month, who was reelected as a Democrat in November but stated that she is “tired of being the party of protesting.”
Since 1999, Florida Republicans have controlled the governor’s office and both chambers of the legislature. With Cassel’s move, Republicans will have an 87-33 advantage over Democrats in the House.
Florida, formerly the country’s leading swing state, has recently shifted to the right. According to Susan MacManus, an emeritus professor of political science at the University of South Florida, switching parties demonstrates how little power Democrats have under a Republican trifecta that has lasted decades.
“The Democrats were unable to break the supermajority. So what options do they truly have?” MacManus explained.
Kate Payne is a corps member of The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service organization that deploys journalists in local newsrooms to tackle underreported stories.
