Jewish Democratic Lawmaker Switches to Republican Party

State Rep. Hillary Cassel Breaks Silence on Party Switch

A Jewish lawmaker in the Florida state legislature announced that she is switching from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party due to, among other reasons, the Democrats’ response to the war launched by the Hamas terrorist organization against the State of Israel.

State Rep. Hillary Cassel sat down with Facing South Florida to discuss her decision to switch from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party following her re-election in November. Cassel, who represents a predominantly Democratic district in Broward County, faced strong backlash from her former party, with U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz accusing her of deceiving voters. Florida State Sen. Tina Polsky also criticized Cassel for citing antisemitism within the Democratic Party as a reason for her departure.

Despite the criticism, Cassel received praise from President-elect Donald Trump. She explained that her decision was a gradual process, with the Democratic Party’s stance on Israel being a major turning point. Rep. Hillary Cassel, who represents District 101 in Florida, wrote in her announcement on Friday, “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 felt increasingly disconnected, especially after a debate on a ceasefire resolution following the Hamas attacks on Israel. Cassel emphasized that her final decision was made on Dec. 26, 2023, giving voters a chance to reconsider their support.

Cassel criticized the Democratic Party for failing to evolve and address communication issues, stating, “We have a communication problem. We have a connection problem.” She likened her approach to self-reflection as a trial lawyer, saying that rather than blaming voters, she believes in reassessing and adapting—a mindset she felt was missing in Democratic leadership.

Although she now identifies as a Republican, Cassel reaffirmed her stance on key issues, stating she remains pro-choice and supports LGBTQ+ rights. She assured that her voting record would reflect her principles, focusing on policies like affordable housing and property insurance. Cassel described herself as an independent thinker committed to serving her district rather than adhering to party opposition for its own sake.

When pressed on whether her switch was about Israel, Republican values, or personal conflicts, Cassel reiterated that it stemmed from her alignment with the GOP’s approach to problem-solving and leadership. She aims to bring resources to her district and work on pressing issues affecting Floridians.