Rep. Hillary Cassel (R-Dania Beach) switched her party affiliation from Democratic Party to the Republican Party last year. In an interview with former Bal Harbour Mayor Gabe Groisman on Standpoint with Gabe Groisman on social media, Rep. Cassell cited the Democratic Party's lack of support for Israel as a determining factor.
"My mom was a conservative Republican elected official. I grew up in a conservative household," Cassel explained. "I was a registered Republican longer than I was ever a Democrat, but when I became a Democrat, they were very confused. So, I tell them, you know, I wasn't a rebellious child; they're very happy to have me home in the Republican Party."
Rep. Cassel, who was a Democrat during last November's House District 101 general election, detailed the Democratic Party's failure to address support for the Jewish state, including by silencing her voice, as reasoning for her defection. HD 101 covers Davie, Dania Beach, and the coastlines of Hollywood and Hallandale Beach in Broward County.
She further explained her reasoning for her departure in a social media statement last December.
“Not only did they put me in a box, they told me I should’ve sat down and stayed quiet, and that how dare I create Dem-on-Dem violence with violence with a colleague," Cassel told Grosiman.
Cassel was the second Democrat to join the Florida GOP last year after Susan Valdes. With both newcomers, Florida Republicans currently have 85 members, while Democrats have 32 representatives.
"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 in her December statement. "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."
