TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida Democrats’ losses didn’t end on Election Day — a second state lawmaker has announced she’s switching her party affiliation and joining the Republican caucus.
In a post on social media, Rep. Hillary Cassel said Florida Democrats are out of touch with voters and that she has a better chance of achieving her priorities from within the Republican Party.
“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,” Cassel posted on X.
Cassel, who is Jewish, also criticized the Democratic Party for its “failure to unequivocally support Israel.”
She declined an interview request from The Associated Press.
Cassel represents parts of Broward County, which is considered one of the state’s most reliably Democratic areas. Since no one ran against her in November, Cassel won reelection without appearing on the ballot.
Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried called Cassel’s decision “deeply disappointing.”