Sunshine Sentinel

State Representative Hillary Cassel, whose legislative record has earned her a failing rating with the Florida Chamber of Commerce, said she is changing her party affiliation from Democrat to Republican. The statement was made on X on December 27.

"I am announcing my decision to change my party affiliation from Democrat to Republican," said Hillary Brisson Cassel, Florida State Representative. "I ran for office to make my community and this state better."

In her statement, Cassel expressed concerns about the Democratic Party's "tolerance of extreme progressive voices" and its approach to public safety and terrorism. She emphasized her commitment to creating a "better, more prosperous Florida" and said her intention to work collaboratively within the Florida House of Representatives. Cassel described her decision as stemming from a "deep sense of responsibility" to her constituents.

According to the Florida Chamber of Commerce's annual legislative scorecard, in 2024, Cassel received an F and a 53% rating. This score contrasts with many Florida Democrats who ranked higher, while most Republican lawmakers scored between 99-100%, reflecting stronger alignment with the Chamber’s pro-business agenda. The Chamber bases its ratings on legislators’ voting records concerning key business-related policies.

During her time in the Florida House of Representatives, Cassel's voting record has shown divergence from conservative positions. For example, she voted against HB 1645, which aimed at removing references to "climate change" in state law and banning wind farms—legislation supported by conservatives focusing on energy independence. Additionally, she opposed HB 1451, which sought to prevent local governments from accepting identification cards issued to individuals not lawfully present in the United States—a measure aligned with conservative immigration policies according to The Freedom Index.

CBS News Miami reports that Cassel changed her party affiliation shortly after being re-elected unopposed as a Democrat in Broward County. Her district is noted as a heavily Democratic area. This switch makes Cassel one of the few representatives in the Florida legislature to cross party lines.

According to her LinkedIn profile, Hillary Cassel serves as the State Representative for Florida’s 101st District and is a partner at Cassel & Cassel, P.A., where she specializes in commercial and residential insurance litigation. A graduate of Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law, she began her legal career in 2010 and has over ten years of experience in the field. In addition to her legislative duties, she holds the position of vice-chair on the Florida House Insurance and Banking Subcommittee.