Endorsement: Joe Saunders, vote Dems down the line in Miami for State House

In Miami-Dade County, there are several down ballot races that voters will choose candidates from. In all of them, we urge voters to reject insurrectionism and choose the Democratic candidates. In one of those races, House District 106, we endorse Joe Saunders. He is running against Rep. Fabian Basabe, a Republican who flipped this seat red in a close race in 2022.

Let's get it out of the way: Basabe is a disgrace to this district, which is centered around Miami Beach. Since his election, Basabe, who is known to be gay (although married to a woman) has signed on to the DeSantis culture war agenda in Tallahassee. He calls himself a "moderate" but votes for bills like the controversial "Don't Say Gay" bill, directly against his constituents wishes. He's constantly in the news too, for the wrong reasons. Whether he's beating his legislative aids, or engaged in sexual misconduct, Basabe should lose the confidence of his constituents in Miami-Dade.

Saunders, 41, is a staffer at Equality Florida and a former legislator. From 2012-2014 he represented the Orlando area in the Florida House of Representatives. He was one of the first out gay lawmakers in Florida. His campaign priorities center around addressing climate change, the property insurance crisis, and reproductive rights. This seat is one of the frontline seats that Florida Democrats must win back to deny the GOP another two years with a supermajority. Saunders told the advocate “Democrats and progressives understand they must win in order to break the supermajority that Republicans have in the House”. That's important now more than ever.

Another issue at hand in this race is Moe Saunders. No, not Joe, Moe. The aunt of the Democratic nominee is running this year as a NPA candidate, in an effort to confuse voters. The similar sounding name could confuse voters who are attempting to cast their vote for Joe Saunders. But she agreed to list her name as "Mo Saunders Scott" after a short court battle.

With Basabe, a former reality star, the district will be neglected and residents will continue to be ignored. We urge voters to elect Joe Saunders, and vote Democrat in all the other offices too.

Endorsements are the viewpoints of The County's Editorial Board members Elijah Manley, and Luc Saint-Genies. Endorsement may or may not reflect the personal beliefs and preferences of individual members of the Editorial Board, or The County's writers.