President-elect Trump on Saturday congratulated Florida State Rep. Hillary Cassel (R) for switching parties to the GOP this month.
“Congratulations to Hillary Cassel for becoming the second State Representative from the Great State of Florida to switch her Party affiliation from Democrat to Republican, once more expanding the GOP Supermajority in the State House!” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.
Cassel is the second former state House Democrat to leave the party this month.
“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,” Cassel said. “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,” she continued.
Her decision followed a party switch from state Rep. Susan Valdés (R), who left the Democratic party after losing a bid to become the chair of the Hillsborough County Democratic Party. Valdés said she did not want to spend what would be her final two years in the state Legislature “being ignored” in a caucus with leaders expecting her to ignore her community’s needs.
Republicans already hold supermajorities in both chambers of the Florida Legislature, though Valdés and Cassel’s moves add to the growing GOP dominance in a state that less than a decade ago was still considered competitive.
In the post, Trump called on “disillusioned” Democrats, suggesting they should join the GOP.
“I would further like to invite other Disillusioned Democrats to switch Parties, and join us on this noble quest to Save our Country and, Make America Great Again – GREATER THAN EVER BEFORE. THANK YOU HILLARY!” Trump wrote.
