Posted on 12/27/2024 2:29:08 PM PST by E. Pluribus Unum
Rep. Hillary Cassel of Boynton Beach is leaving the Democratic Party and will join House Republicans for the upcoming term.
“Today, I am announcing my decision to change my party affiliation from Democrat to Republican,” Cassel wrote in a prepared statement.
“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.”
Cassel earlier this month posted on X, informing voters of the makeup of the Legislature — which features Republicans holding supermajorities in both chambers — adding, “Understanding the makeup of our State Legislature is key to navigating the upcoming session and addressing the needs of Floridians.”
That appeared to be foreshadowing for Cassel’s decision. But she also voiced concerns about the Democratic Party’s shift in recent years.
“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 continued.
“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.”
Cassel is the second Democrat to make the move, following Rep. Susan Valdés of Tampa.
“Our Speaker, Rep. Daniel Perez, has laid out a vision for the House that focuses on empowering House members to work on real problems facing our communities,” Valdés wrote earlier this month in explaining her own...
(Excerpt) Read more at floridapolitics.com ...
The earlier they switch, the better they will do...
Just to be clear, this is the Florida House of Representatives. On the other hand, there is THIS story about a possible Republican pick up in the U.S. House.
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2024/12/rumors-swirl-indicted-henry-cuellar-allegedly-set-flip/
“Swap parties.”
Those have been going on at least since the early 1960s.
Oh no Democrats!
That triggered a memory for me. True this isn’t national but....
When the US House and US Senate were roughly or exactly 50-50
those turncoats courted bribes and payoff favors for talking about changing parties and giving the other party the majority.
Informal list:
Senator James Jeffords, a Republican from Vermont, decided to become an Independent, but sit with the Democrats in the Senate. The Senate went from being 50-50 with a Republican VP, as the tie-breaker to being a 51-49, with the Democratic Party in control.
US Senator Strom Thurmond (1964; Democrat to Republican); Ben “Nighthorse” Campbell (1994; Democrat to Republican); Richard Shelby (1994; Democrat to Republican); Bob Smith (1999; Republican to Independent to Republican); Arlene SPECTER (2009; Republican to Democrat); Joe Lieberman (2006; Democrat to Independent) and Kristen Sinema (2022; Democrat to Independent).
...and all the RINOs rejoiced! She can impress me by doing it Phil Gramm style
We need all the help we can get in the House. Welcome!
Oh, yes! More, please!
Oh sorry jumped the gun, did not read the aricle, my mistake the Fl. House nothing to get excited about.
Hers is a D+11 district which is majority-minority, so this surely isn't some move designed to IMPROVE her chances of being re-elected in 2026.
Cassel was first elected in 2022, somewhat narrowly, and the FLGOP didn't even run a candidate against her this year.
So now she’s a RINO
Kristen Sinema has been known to switch from side to side if you know what I mean. She’ll be hard to replace in the Senate. The House of course has Paulina-Luna, Mace and a few other cutie-pies. Even AOC would be cute if she only had a lobotomy
“Even AOC would be cute if she only had a lobotomy”
I could be wrong, but maybe once or twice AOC told the truth.
Example of a member of Congress who resents being left off your list. Would say she’s not just a pretty face.
That was so wrong.
Very interesting. Should the Republicans buy off a few Democrat Representatives? It’s not the way we usually roll (or at least we tell ourselves that) and buying loyalty is an oxymoron. But being on the winning team may be incentive enough for some moderate Democrats (if there are any left) to flip.
Just saying. Beware of snakes in the grass.
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