Kristen Browde, president of the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus, also issued a statement blasting the move. "One has to wonder whether Rep. Hillary Cassel is abandoning her principles as well as her party and the voters who elected her," Browde said.

Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried criticized Cassel, the second state lawmaker to switch parties since Election Day.

A second Florida Democratic lawmaker has switched parties this month, further swelling the legislative Republican supermajority. Rep. Hillary Cassel of Dania Beach, first elected to the state House in 2022, made the announcement on Tuesday afternoon.