Sunshine Sentinel

Debbie Wasserman Schultz, U.S. Representative for Florida’s 25th Congressional District, accused Hillary Cassel of deceiving voters by joining the GOP and abandoning core values. Wasserman Schultz made this statement on her social media account on December 31.

"Cassel deceived voters by faking a commitment to fight the GOP's radical agenda. Her interest is power, not people," said Wasserman Schultz. "This betrayal of constituents, aligning with extremists and abandoning core principles shows her true character."

In a 2022 interview posted on YouTube by Sun Sentinel, Hillary Cassel criticized Governor Ron DeSantis's policies as "frankly authoritarian" and said his administration enacts laws that erode democracy and create a "toxic" environment. She opposed Florida's abortion restrictions, describing them as "attacks on women’s rights" and argued that personal health decisions should not be dictated by government control. Additionally, Cassel vowed to push back against the "extreme Republican agenda," particularly on issues like insurance reform, education, and reproductive freedoms.

Debbie Wasserman Schultz's X post | x.com

CBS News Miami reported that Hillary Cassel changed her party affiliation to Republican shortly after being re-elected unopposed as a Democrat in Broward County. The report noted that her district is predominantly Democratic. Cassel’s switch makes her one of the few representatives in the Florida legislature to change party affiliation.

In 2024, Hillary Cassel received an "F" grade and a 53% rating from the Florida Chamber of Commerce for her legislative performance. This score indicates limited alignment with the Chamber’s pro-business and economic growth-focused policy agenda. According to the Florida Chamber of Commerce, this rating suggests a potential disconnect between her voting record and the priorities of Republican and business-oriented constituencies.

According to Votesmart, Hillary Cassel is a Florida State Representative for District 101, serving since 2022, and a candidate for re-election in 2024. She co-founded and is a partner at Cassel & Cassel Law Firm and holds a JD from Nova Southeastern University and a BA in Political Science from the University of Florida.

According to her website, Debbie Wasserman Schultz has represented South Floridians in the U.S. House since 2005 as Florida’s first Jewish Congresswoman. She has championed progressive causes, authored key legislation such as the EARLY Act for breast cancer awareness, and serves as a leader on the Appropriations Committee. A University of Florida graduate, she lives in Weston with her family.