Herald endorsement: Our choice in Florida House District 106 election | Opinion

By the Miami Herald Editorial Board

Updated November 2, 2024 11:41 AM

In Florida House District 106, Republican Rep. Fabian Basabe faces Democrat Joe Saunders and independent Mo Saunders Scott in November.

Editorial Board’s General Election Endorsements

In advance of the upcoming general elections on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, the Editorial Board interviewed and researched candidates to better understand their views on various issues and how their policies will affect their constituents. The goal is to give voters a better idea of who’s the best candidate for each race.

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Three candidates are vying to represent Florida House District 106: Republican Rep. Fabián Basabe, former Rep. Joe Saunders, a Democrat, and Mo Saunders Scott, a no-party-affiliation candidate and the estranged aunt of Joe Saunders who lives in North Florida and has no business running here.

There’s a clear choice in this coastal Miami-Dade County district, and it’s not the incumbent. We did not endorse Rep. Fabián Basabe, 46, in the Republican primary for a second term. He simply does not reflect the values of most residents in this district, which extends from South Beach north to Sunny Isles and Aventura, and didn’t live up to the promises he made in 2022 to be a bipartisan legislator.

Saunders, 41, an adjunct professor at Florida International University who served as a legislator from Orlando from 2012-14, is a South Florida native and best suited to represent voters’ concerns. He champions affordable housing, reproductive freedom, sensible gun safety laws, economic justice, LGBTQ rights and environmental protection to combat sea-level rise.

Consider the contrast between Basabe and Saunders on two key issues in this district, which leans Democratic and voted for President Biden in 2020: reproductive rights and strengthening gun laws to keep them away from criminals and those who are mentally ill.

On abortion rights, Basabe promised to work on a compromise to change Gov. Ron DeSantis’ unpopular six-week ban to a 12-week ban. Then he did nothing. On gun laws, the NRA-endorsed Basabe voted to eliminate the requirement that Floridians obtain a license to carry a concealed weapon, a change that puts police in more danger during arrests.

Since his election, Basabe has been accused of slapping a former legislative aide and sexually harassing the same aide and a former intern. Two Florida House investigations did not find him guilty of wrongdoing. More recently, Los Angeles police began investigating a man’s claim that Basabe drugged and raped him in 2003, the Herald reported. Basabe denies all accusations.

For his part, Saunders is a founding member of the Floridians for Reproductive Freedom Coalition and a partner to the Florida Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence. He supports restoring abortion rights and strengthening gun safety laws.

This district is about 85% condominiums. Saunders wants Tallahassee to do more to combat sea-level rise, lower out-of-control property insurance costs and fix the condominium safety law passed by the Legislature three years ago after the deadly collapse of Champlain Towers in Surfside.

As a condo owner, Saunders knows the challenges ahead. He would work to fix the law to ensure owners aren’t priced out of their homes and would push for no- and low-interest loans to help them pay for special assessments for safety. “My primary focus is helping seniors and vulnerable people — working families — so they can stay in their homes.”

Saunders notes that combating sea-level rise is a “deeply bipartisan issue” in his district, yet under DeSantis’ leadership, state agencies and school districts are having to remove any mention of climate change. The Legislature, Saunders said, “is not focusing on bipartisan solutions” and Floridians are leaving the state because they can’t afford to live here.

The Miami Herald Editorial Board endorses JOE SAUNDERS for House District 106.

BEHIND THE STORY

Who decides the political endorsements?

In advance of local and state elections, Miami Herald Editorial Board members interview political candidates, as well as advocates and opponents of ballot measures. The Editorial Board is composed of experienced opinion journalists and is independent of the Herald’s newsroom. Members of the Miami Herald Editorial Board are: Amy Driscoll, editorial page editor; and editorial writers Isadora Rangel and Mary Anna Mancuso. Read more by clicking the arrow in the upper right.

What does the endorsement process look like?

The Miami Herald Editorial Board interviews political candidates to better understand their views on public policy and how their policies will affect their constituents. Board members do additional reporting and research to learn as much as possible about the candidates before making an endorsement. The Editorial Board then convenes to discuss the candidates in each race. Board members seek to reach a consensus on the endorsements, but not every decision is unanimous. Candidates who decline to be interviewed will not receive an endorsement.

Is the Editorial Board partisan?

No. In making endorsements, members of the Editorial Board consider which candidates are better prepared to represent their constituents — not whether they agree with our editorial stances or belong to a particular political party. We evaluate candidates’ relevant experience, readiness for office, depth of knowledge of key issues and understanding of public policy. We’re seeking candidates who are thoughtful and who offer more than just party-line talking points.

This story was originally published October 16, 2024 at 5:11 PM.