Former President Donald Trump celebrated Florida State Representative Hillary Cassel's recent decision to leave the Democratic Party and join the Republicans. Cassel's move strengthens the GOP's supermajority in the Florida House of Representatives.
In a statement explaining her decision, Cassel expressed her belief in the Republican vision for Florida's future. Trump, in response, used Truth Social to congratulate Cassel and encourage other Democrats to follow suit. He framed the shift as joining a mission to "Save our Country and Make America Great Again."
Cassel's switch follows a similar move by Florida State Representative Susan Valdés earlier this month. This marks the second Democratic state representative in Florida to recently join the Republican party.
During her 2022 campaign, Cassel identified as a "proud Democrat" and advocated for various progressive causes, including abortion rights, LGBTQ+ rights, climate change action, and gun control. However, she now states that the Democratic Party no longer aligns with her principles.
Cassel explained that her priorities as a mother and a Jewish woman have led her to reconsider her political affiliation. She cited concerns about the Democratic Party's stance on Israel and its tolerance of certain progressive viewpoints. She also expressed feeling that the party struggles to connect with average Floridians. She emphasized the importance of judging individuals based on character rather than labels.
Cassel expressed confidence in the Republican Party's collaborative approach and its willingness to consider diverse perspectives. She believes the party's values better reflect her own, even if she doesn't agree with every Republican on every issue.
