Second Florida Democratic lawmaker switches to GOP

[Jose Garcia]

Source: The Hill

A second Democratic Florida legislator has switched parties to the GOP this month, citing her former party’s lack of unified support for Israel.

State Rep. Hillary Cassel (R) said in a Friday statement on the social platform X that she is not making the decision lightly, but she is joining the Republican Party because she believes in its “vision for a better, more prosperous Florida.”

“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.

Read more: https://www.google.com/amp/s/thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/5057873-second-florida-democratic-lawmaker-switches-to-gop/amp/

[NewHendoLib]

1. Good grief.

[kimbutgar]

2. I wonder how much she got paid in back door donations?

[PSPS]

7. AIPAC money is the usual force behind this

[hedda_foil]

10. AIPAC the alpha and omega of this sort of turncoatery.

[carpetbagger]

17. I would suspect here it's insurance company money.

That's her industry, Gaza just gives her an excuse that looks "respectable".

[yardwork]

32. No, it isn't.

This is only the latest in a string of Democrats turning independent or Republican, and it's the first time the politician is Jewish, so it's the first time AIPAC has been cited.

Listen to yourselves.

[msongs]

3. the honorable thing to do is resign. she has cheated her voters. true republican values nt

[kimbutgar]

8. If I voted for her and she changed parties that I would demand she resign

I did not vote for a repuke!

[GreenWave]

4. Sounds like a liar...

“I’m constantly troubled by the inability of the current Democratic Party to relate to everyday Floridians.” GOP talking point. Maybe she can mosey on up to some of those MAGA extremists in the GOP and ask how they feel about Jewish people?

[surfered]

5. I live in a small beach town. When I first moved here in the early 70s, the Presidential election was 70-30 Democratic.

Over time it’s reversed to 70-30 Republican. Somewhere in the middle of that change, the local office holders quietly switched parties. The Constable, the Justice of the Peace, and a state legislator became Republicans and were re-elected.

It’s not always about principles or values. Sometimes it’s just about keeping your job.

[keithbvadu2]

6. This party relates to you, Casell?

[uncledad]

9. She just can't be in a party

that has members who oppose the slaughter of unarmed innocent women and children by one the best equipped military in the world.

[Emile]

11. Yep, that's what she is saying. I guess she

just now realized where she stood on this too.

[uncledad]

12. Right

She someho just discovered she is pro ethnic cleansing!

[Jit423]

13. Placing all the good that Democrats fight to hold for citizens here against unified support for Israeli hegemony

and genocide tells you a lot about the soul of some people.

[Pototan]

14. When a politician switches parties

or drops their designation after being elected on that party's line, there should be a special election. It's like a bait and switch. I vote for a candidate based on party affiliation, so they committed election fraud to gain my support.

[Karma13612]

15. I agree.

I think we need to put in place some deterrents to this increasing trend. Make it clear this will not be tolerated. You vote in good faith based on a politician’s campaign rhetoric and the facts made available to you.

Also, When have we seen someone go from Republican to Democrat?

[Polybius]

22. Then they would just vote with Republicans anyway

Their name would have "Democrat" in front of it, but they would be effectively Republican in every other way.

[Traildogbob]

28. Agree

And pay back every damn penny gotten from Dem donations. This shit is happening way too much.
It was done in NC and immediately after election and threw the GQP a Super Majority.
So god damned sick of GQP treachery.

[Figarosmom]

16. Yet Harris lost due to her support for Israel

This woman is just making up her reason for switching parties. She switched because upward movement in FL will only happen if you are Repub

Or she was a ringer to begin with. Republicans have been known to do that in Democratic districts. Democrats need to vet their candidates better. Check for their past donations and such. This has been happening too much for it to be legit.

[patphil]

18. Didn't she just get elected on the Democratic ticket in November?

So, she didn't make the move until after she was elected as a Democrat?
My guess is she thought she wouldn't have been on the ticket if she made her position known last spring.
Was it all about getting the job and then deliberately screwing the voters?
That's despicable.

[cstanleytech]

20. That and get it in writing that if they switch parties like this that they have to repay all the monies the party spent.

[Jose Garcia]

21. The party didn't need to spend any money, she was elected automatically as no one else ran against her

[cstanleytech]

24. I suspect that will be changing next time.

[Jose Garcia]

25. There will likely be a crowded Democratic primary

[cstanleytech]

29. Followed hopefully by one unemployed politician.

[J-9]

26. If no one ran against her

she should've just run as a repub.

[calimary]

19. Trying hard to understand this, and nothing's working.

Republicans yearn to take away MY sovereignty over MY body. And they won’t give up. They never stop trying.

THAT’S what automatically AND instantly kills it for me. I can’t even begin to consider voting for a Republican because of that one thing. However there are multiple other good and solid reasons not to vote Republican besides that. But THAT for me is the deal-breaker of deal-breakers.

[Cha]

23. omg.. you stupid woman. you are a cult

member fascist now.

[tanyev]

27. But apparently not troubled by all the antisemitism in the current Republican party.

[Takket]

30. this is fraud. she should be sued.

it is the timing of it all specifically that makes it fraud. she took advantages of being a Democrat right up until it was too late to stop her. not like the situation in Gaza has changed over the entirety of the election season.

[tonekat]

31. OK, so she's Israel first

She has the right to be that way, but she should step down if another nation is her priority.