Newly elected Florida Congressman Randy Fine is continuing his long-standing feud with Governor Ron DeSantis, again implying the Governor is antisemitic. Fine has even upped the stakes by implying that another legislator, Hillary Cassel (R-Broward), is being targeted because she’s Jewish. It’s untrue, and the claim is not kosher.
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I consider Randy Fine a friend, and friends sometimes need to be called out when they do something that hurts the community they want to help. Tough love is in order here.
The cringe experience of watching a Republican weaponizing identity politics, much like the Democrats have for many years, is embarrassing. How many times have we heard someone being accused of racism or misogyny simply because they disagreed with someone? These absurd claims don’t hurt the Governor; they hurt the Jewish community. Antisemitism is a real problem, but the statement loses its power when you throw it around for the sole purpose of weaponizing it.
🚨WATCH: Congressman Randy Fine (@VoteRandyFine) comes for @GovRonDeSantis HARD:
“I do find it troubling that two politicians in Florida that he has chosen to take issue with in a very vitriolic way the last few weeks are both Jewish,”
🎥 FULL INTERVIEW VIA – @JavManjarres &… pic.twitter.com/u4U0rgsd8Q
— The Floridian (@Floridianpress) April 8, 2025
The latest accusation occurred when Fine strongly implied in a video that the Governor’s criticism of Representative Cassel’s policies was antisemitic by stating that he finds it “troubling” that the Governor is going after two legislators who happen to be Jewish.
Hillary Cassel is the former Democrat, the party hopper, who ran unopposed for reelection based on her progressive liberal policies and then switched parties and became a Republican mere weeks after getting elected, much to the chagrin of the Democratic caucus and duped constituents.
As a mother, I want to help build a world where our children are judged on their character and their actions not on their labels. 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. I’m constantly troubled by the inability of the current Democratic Party to relate to everyday Floridians. I can no longer remain in a party that doesn’t represent my values.
~Hillary Cassel
Fine’s accusations seem less about principle and more about personal vendettas. The bad blood between the Governor and Fine dates back to Fine’s failed attempt to secure the Presidency of Florida Atlantic University—a debacle that left him embarrassed and bitter. Despite his rise from state senator to congressman, Fine can’t let go of his grudge against DeSantis, and it’s playing out in increasingly public ways.
Made a secret trip to JERUSALEM (!!!) with @RepMikeCaruso to deliver @GovRonDeSantis HB 269, the strongest antisemitism bill in the United States. To Florida’s Nazi thugs, I have news: attack Jews on their property and you’re going to prison. Never again means never again. pic.twitter.com/FYXNE5c5RU
— Congressman Randy Fine (@VoteRandyFine) April 27, 2023
Fine has accused DeSantis of antisemitism several times, a claim that flies in the face of the Governor’s well-documented record as a leader in combating antisemitism. DeSantis has strongly supported Florida’s Jewish community, including signing landmark legislation in Israel aimed at fighting antisemitism. Sponsor Representative Mike Caruso (R-West Palm Beach), and co-sponsor, then Representative Randy Fine (R-Brevard), were both at his side for this historic moment.
Every bill I have sponsored that has made Florida the most Jewish-friendly state in America was signed by @GovRonDeSantis. No Governor has done more to leverage those tools to fight anti-semitism, BDS, Holocaust deniers, and protect Jewish students. 1/
— Congressman Randy Fine (@VoteRandyFine) May 5, 2022
The latest chapter in this saga involves Representative Cassel, whom DeSantis has criticized for her role in pushing liberal policies and costly legislation, a criticism many others have also made. Fine has jumped to Cassel’s defense, claiming DeSantis’ criticism is rooted in antisemitism because Cassel is Jewish. However, those paying attention to Cassel’s political trajectory see plenty to criticize that has nothing to do with her religion—from what they see as bad policy to her opportunistic rise to power, something her brother-in-law mentioned in a Sun Sentinel article in January.
Cassel’s brother-in-law, Brad Cassel, who lives west of Lake Worth Beach, said he believes her switch is motivated by political opportunism and not principle.
“Her whole excuse is just lame,” Brad Cassel said in a telephone interview. “It doesn’t make sense. I think she has greater ambitions and she’s trying to use this in trying to attain her greater ambitions.” ~Brad Cassel
Florida Jolt reached out to Cassel directly and asked if she thinks the Governor is antisemitic. You would think this newly minted Republican would be eager to set the record straight, given that the reason she gave for making the party switch was criticism of her former party concerning Israel, but there’s been no response.
Cassel’s focus on trial lawyer-friendly legislation has raised serious concerns among her colleagues. As Representative Mike Caruso aptly described in the Committee for Insurance and Banking, this should be called the “Subcommittee on Banking and Trial Attorneys” because of bills designed to benefit attorneys rather than Floridians.
Cassel’s actions appear self-serving, as she pushes legislation that could personally enrich her trial attorney practice and her allies with anti-tort reform bills, such as HB 1551, that undoes prior tort reform legislation that was stabilizing the insurance industry in Florida and starting to reduce insurance premiums. Even the staff analysis of Cassel’s bill says HB 1551 will burden everyday citizens with higher insurance costs. DeSantis’ criticism of Cassel is rooted in her policy agenda and her questionable, very sudden rise to power—not her religious identity or recent conversion to Judaism.
Despite all evidence to the contrary, Randy Fine continues to weaponize accusations of antisemitism against DeSantis, using them as part of his ongoing revenge tour. This behavior is not only misleading but dangerous. Crying wolf on issues as serious as antisemitism undermines genuine efforts to combat this serious problem and harms the Jewish community by eroding trust when genuine concerns arise.
As a Jew, I am repulsed by @NikkiFried comparing @GovRonDeSantis to Hitler. No Governor has done more to help Jews in their state than Governor DeSantis. She needs to disavow her repugnant anti-Semitism — or resign. @ChristinaPushaw
— Congressman Randy Fine (@VoteRandyFine) January 15, 2022
Governor DeSantis has moved on from Randy Fine, but Fine can’t seem to move on from the Governor. The bottom line is this: Governor DeSantis’ criticism of Hillary Cassel has nothing to do with her religion and everything to do with her lousy legislation and liberal policies that hurt Floridians. It’s time for Randy Fine to put his big-boy pants on, leave state politics behind, and focus on doing what’s good for the country.
Floridians are watching—and they deserve leaders who rise above personal grudges and deliver results.
Other stories you may want to read:
Former Democrat Hillary Cassel Dominates Florida House Republicans
Bob Rubin: Florida Stands with Israel-That’s Why I’m Proud to Call It Home
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