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President-elect Donald Trump congratulated and thanked Florida state Rep. Hillary Cassel after the Sunshine State representative announced her decision to abandon her Democratic Party affiliation and join the GOP.
“Today I am announcing my decision to change my party affiliation from Democrat to Republican,” Cassel said in a statement. “I will join the Florida House Republican Conference because I believe in their vision for a better, more prosperous Florida.”
In a statement welcoming the move, Trump urged more Democrats to defect.
DESANTIS WANTS TO WELCOME FLORIDA STATE LEGISLATOR TO REPUBLICAN PARTY WHEN SHE DENIES DEMOCRATS
Left: Republican presidential candidate and former US President Donald Trump smiles during a Latin American roundtable at the Beauty Society on October 12, 2024 in North Las Vegas, Nevada; Right: Florida state representative Hillary Cassel (Left: Ethan Miller/Getty Images; Right: flhouse.gov)
“Congratulations to Hillary Cassel on becoming the second state representative from the great state of Florida to switch party affiliation from Democrat to Republican, once again expanding the Republican supermajority in the State House! I would further like to urge other disenchanted Democrats to switch parties, and join us in to this noble mission to save our country and make America great again – GREATER THAN EVER BEFORE. THANK YOU HILLARY!” Trump exclaimed in a post on Truth Social.
Cassel’s announcement came after a colleague the state of Florida Rep. Susan Valdés announced earlier this month that she is changing her registration from Democratic to Republican.
While seeking office in 2022, Cassel described herself as a “proud Democrat,” a “pro-choice supporter” and a “stalwart ally of the LGBTQ+ community.”
FLORIDA PROHIBITS CHILDREN UNDER 14 FROM SOCIAL MEDIA
Florida State Representative Susan Valdes (flhouse.gov)
She also vowed to “stand up to #ClimateChange deniers” and “stand up to the NRA and fight to ban military assault rifles and the high-capacity ammunition that makes them so deadly.”
But now Cassel says Democratic Party it does not reflect her values.
“As a mother, I want to help build a world where our children are judged by their character and deeds, not by labels,” she said in her statement. “As a proud Jew, I am increasingly troubled by the failure of the Democratic Party to unequivocally support Israel and its willingness to tolerate extreme progressive voices who justify or condone acts of terrorism. I am constantly troubled by the inability of the current Democratic Party to connect with everyday Floridians, I can no longer stay in to a party that does not represent my values.
Florida State Representative Hillary Cassel (flhouse.gov)
“I know I won’t always agree on every detail with every Republican, but I know I will always have input, cooperation and respect. The House Republican Conference empowers members to find common sense solutions to real problems facing all Floridians. They welcome diverse ideas and cooperation, which is the cornerstone of effective government, these are my values,” Cassel pointed out.
