Republican Florida state Rep. Hillary Cassel discussed her decision to leave the Democratic Party and join the Republicans during an appearance Monday on Fox News. Speaking on The Ingraham Angle with guest host Kayleigh McEnany, Cassel shared the moment she realized she no longer wanted to align with the Democratic Party. A key factor in her decision, she explained, was her experience with anti-Semitism within her former party. Cassel, who is Jewish, cited these experiences as instrumental in prompting her switch.
“It’s a moment that will live with me forever. You know, I joined the Democratic Party with the understanding that this was a big tent that allowed diverse ideas and beliefs,” Cassel said. “Shortly after October 7, we were on the floor of the House of Representatives arguing and debating a bill in support of Israel. And I was forced to debate a Democratic colleague who filed a resolution while we still have hostages there, but this was shortly after October 7. ”
“Rather than my colleagues rallying around this issue, which is extremely important not only to myself, my community, America and democracy as a whole and ensuring that the Jewish people have a state. I was told that I should have sat down and stayed quiet,” Cassel told McEnany. “That for me was a moment of absolute disconnect from my party, where this was an opportunity I felt for all of us to band together on an issue that was non-negotiable for me. But instead, I was told I should sit down.”
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Cassel announced her decision last week to shift from the Democratic Party to the GOP. In a statement explaining her decision, she said, “Today, I am announcing my decision to change my party affiliation from Democrat to Republican. This decision was not made lightly but comes from a deep sense of responsibility to my constituents and my commitment to the values that guide my service. I will be joining the Republican Conference of the Florida House of Representatives because I believe in their vision for a better, more prosperous Florida.”
“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,” Cassel wrote. “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.”
Earlier this month, Florida Rep. Susan Valdes revealed she’s leaving the Democratic Party because she feels neglected by her party. “I will not waste my final two years in the Florida Legislature being ignored in a caucus whose leadership expects me to ignore the needs of my community,” Valdes wrote.
