For the second time within two months of the November election, a Florida Democrat state rep has switched parties and become a Republican, an unprecedented move that’s left some ecstatic and others scratching their heads. The skeptical ones may be on to something. An elected politician switching parties is a baffling move that doesn’t pass the smell test, and until we see proof of how they vote during this session, there’s no reason to think this is anything but a coordinated power grab.
While some are screaming, “Great news.” We now have a super majority of eighty-seven members in the House. Democrats have seen the light and crossed over from the “progressive” party of wokeism and fiscal irresponsibility to the party of “hands off government,” free speech, gun rights, and freedom. Others are saying, “Not so fast.” These people were voted in for their liberal ideology and, in a Machiavellian, snake-like move, threw away their entire belief system and switched parties. Finally, two polarized parties agree on something-not to trust this.
Democrat Rep Susan Valdés ditched the Dem party first and became a Republican. Florida Jolt covered the exciting move. The three-term Democrat elected official switched parties right after getting elected for her fourth and final term. Everyone cheered but certain things about the move gave people the ick. According to Florida Politics, her decision happened after she lost a bid to chair the Hillsborough County Democratic Party. In a statement, she said that she’s tired of being part of the party of “protest instead of progress.” This was a great line, but even those who want to hold their nose and say this is excellent news can see the obvious. Valdés wanted to be the leader of the Democrat party for her county. Moderates and those with doubts about their party allegiance do not try to become chair of their local party.
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It doesn’t take a brain surgeon to see that Valdés felt screwed over by her party, and it turned her off. It’s her last two years due to term limits. Why not be with the party in power, get money for her constituents, and maybe get some bills passed? This sounds great for her, but is it great for Republicans? This sounds more like some political version of revenge porn to get back at some people who did her wrong than an actual ideological awakening.
This all seemed ok, albeit a little unorthodox, until a second Democrat pulled the same party switch move. Hillary Cassel is the second Florida state rep to become a Republican. She has proven intelligent and well-spoken but conservative?—not even close. Cassel ran unopposed in Dania Beach, which is in liberal Broward County. She served one two-year term as a Democrat. After running unopposed and getting back in for her second term, she switched parties, stating that the Democrat party didn’t represent her “values.” She specifically mentioned that as a “proud Jewish woman,” she has been troubled by her party’s failure to support Israel unequivocally.
Although what she says about the Democrat party and Israel is true, this has been going on for years, yet she didn’t feel compelled to change parties until after getting back into office.
Let’s take a look at some legislation that may give everyone a fuller picture of who these newly minted Republicans are. Susan Valdés voted in opposition to a bill her former party deemed “don’t say gay,” which prevented schools from teaching gender ideology and having discussions about sex that many parents deem inappropriate. Hillary Cassel wasn’t in office at that time. However, both representatives voted against a bill this last session that defined what a man and a woman are. The purpose of that bill was to prevent biological men from being able to use women’s changing rooms and restrooms. In other words, it would prevent traumatic incidents such as the one that occurred in a spa in Washington State where ladies saw a “woman” in the locker room, prancing around naked, swinging “her” manly junk around. The bill did not go through on the Senate side, but Valdés and Cassel opposed it on the House side. The entire bill text, complete with gender definitions, can be seen here.
These representatives know what we all know. They wouldn’t have been re-elected if they had switched parties before their elections. Instead, they chose to deceive their constituents and pretend to be one thing while now claiming to be another. Their constituents have been duped. Who knows what they believe? They have joined the party in power, and no one knows what they will do with their newfound influence. Talk about having your cake and eating it, too.
Everyone doesn’t have to go with their party on every issue, and many don’t. Still, it’s hard to believe that these new Republicans are going to vote yes if something like open carry, for example, goes to the House floor or anything else Republicans find vital because they have actual records that show they’ve voted against basically everything Republicans want.
The sudden party switch and change of heart don’t feel authentic, and it stinks to high heaven. Until these people prove that they’ve turned over a new leaf by voting with Republicans on most issues, even when it comes to the anti-woke stuff that their former party will claim makes them bigots, racists, and homophobes, no one should trust them.
Other stories you may want to read:
- Uplifting News-Florida House Files Boobie Bill - January 13, 2025
- Florida Party Hoppers: Dem Political Opportunists Betray Voter Trust - January 6, 2025
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