JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Two representatives in the Florida House, Hillary Cassel and Susan Valdés, recently announced they were leaving the Democratic Party to join the GOP. These decisions, coming weeks apart, further solidify the Republican supermajority in the state legislature.
In a statement posted to social media, State Rep. Hillary Cassel, representing House District 101 in South Florida, framed her decision as one of principle.
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“This decision was not made lightly,” she said. “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.”
Rep. Susan Valdés, who represents House District 64 which covers parts of Hillsborough County, expressed distress with Democratic leadership.
“I’m tired of being the party of protesting when I got into politics to be part of the party of progress,” she said in a statement.
Strategic implications and reactions
Dr. Michael Binder, a political science professor at the University of North Florida, explained the challenges of serving in a legislature dominated by the opposition.
“Being in the minority stinks,” he said, noting that Republican supermajorities leave little room for Democratic input.
Binder speculated that Valdés’s switch could be strategic.
“Maybe she thought, ‘If I’m in the majority party, I might not agree with everything, but maybe I can get my voice heard on an issue here or there,’” he said.
Binder saw Cassel’s decision as riskier due to her district’s Democratic leanings but noted that party-switching often promises increased influence.
Meanwhile, the Florida Democratic Party criticized the moves, with Party Chair Nikki Fried stating, “Floridians put their trust and faith in Representative Hillary Cassel...Florida Democrats face an uphill battle, but that doesn’t mean we give up.”
President-elect Donald Trump celebrated Cassel’s decision, calling it a win for the GOP and urging other Democrats to follow suit.
“Congratulations to Hillary Cassel...I invite other Disillusioned Democrats to switch Parties and join us on this noble quest to Save our Country,” he wrote on social media.
Differing motivations
Dr. Sean Freeder, another political science professor at UNF, highlighted the differing motivations behind the party switches.
“Valdés is term-limited and might be looking for opportunities beyond her current office,” Freeder said, pointing to her unsuccessful bid to chair the Hillsborough County Democratic Party as a factor.
Cassel’s decision, on the other hand, likely reflects ideological differences, particularly on issues such as Israel. Freeder noted that Cassel, a Jewish woman, has often emphasized her identity and might have been frustrated with Democratic stances on the issue.
Both lawmakers face risks, according to Freeder.
“Typically, voters feel betrayed when their representative switches parties,” he said. “Democrats will feel strongly betrayed, while Republicans might welcome them, but maybe with a side eye.”
Broader implications for Florida politics
Dr. Daniel Cronrath, a political science professor at Florida State College at Jacksonville, commented on the state’s shifting political dynamics. He highlighted the 4 million Floridians registered with no party affiliation as a significant but underutilized bloc.
“The nearly 4 million NPA voters in Florida are a powerful bloc,” Cronrath said. “The party that figures out how to appeal to them could shift Florida’s trajectory.”
Cronrath suggested Democrats could regain ground by championing progressive causes like pro-choice policies and marijuana legalization. “If Democrats want to regain ground, they need to champion these causes effectively,” he said.
Florida’s evolving electorate
The GOP’s dominance in Florida is tied to demographic trends and the influence of the Trump-MAGA movement, according to Freeder.
“The Republican Party is now largely in the image of the MAGA movement,” he said. “But even without Trump, demographic trends would likely still favor the GOP in Florida.”
Cronrath pointed to the influx of older, whiter, and more affluent voters as a significant factor.
“Florida is always replenishing with older voters, who tend to be more conservative,” he said. “That creates a chronic challenge for Democrats.”
