Donald Trump lavished praises on Florida state Rep. Hillary Cassel after she announced she is leaving the Democratic Party to join the GOP.
“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 Truth Social post on Saturday.
“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!” he added.
In a post on X Friday Cassel, who is Jewish, said she is leaving the Democratic Party over their “failure to unequivocally support Israel and its willingness to tolerate extreme progressive voices that justify or condone acts of terrorism.”
Cassel added that she is “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 leave the party this month after state Rep. Susan Valdés (R).
Republicans already have a supermajority in both houses of the Florida Legislature, so Valdés and Cassel’s crossing the aisle will have no effect on the balance of power in the legislature.
