Rep. José Alvarez, a Kissimmee Democrat, secured a rare endorsement from across party lines. Rep. Fabián Basabe, a Miami Beach Republican, backed the fellow lawmaker, who had endorsed his own re-election[1] last month, against any potential Primary opponents.
“When José Alvarez arrived at the legislature, he came ready to work. He has consistently voted his conscience, even when that meant standing up to his own party leadership,” Basabe said.
Basabe and Alvarez have enjoyed an unusual relationship as members of opposing parties in the Florida House. In addition to working together on bipartisan legislation expanding which opioid overdose reversal drugs public schools could stock, the two stand as arguably the most moderate members of their respective party caucuses.
The Miami Republican also made note of when bore witness to a high-profile break between Alvarez and Democratic leadership in the House. That came when Alvarez supported[2] controversial restrictions on petition gathering that had been opposed by Democratic leadership and by a number of progressive groups in Tallahassee.
That reportedly led to a public argument between Alvarez and Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell that ended with Alvarez saying he wasn’t welcome or willing to go to caucus offices anymore.
“I personally witnessed Fentrice Driskell, an abhorrent figure whose role seems more about promoting extremism and fundraising than serving the people, berate him publicly,” Basabe said. “And why? Because he stood for what he believed in, against what she ordered him to do. José responded with grace and professionalism. That moment told me everything I needed to know about his character.”
Driskell notably described the events differently, and said she only wanted to speak with Alvarez about credibility issues signaling a different position on an issue than he ultimately took.
Meanwhile, Basabe has also voted out of step with his own caucus on a number of occasions on issues like a six-week abortion[3] ban.
But there are key difference in the political climate surrounding the two lawmakers. Basabe, who won his seat in 2022 by just 241 votes[4], was a chief target of Democrats last election cycle and may be once again.
But Alvarez, a freshman lawmaker, won election in Democrat-leaning House District 46. The same year he won his House seat, Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris won more than 55% of the vote there, according to MCI Maps[5].
Alvarez in 2024 won a crowded Democratic Primary with 39% of the vote[6], and he may be most vulnerable to a challenge from his left. He currently faces Kenneth Quinones, a Primary challenger who filed in March but has raised no money. That said, Democratic leadership has shown no interest in backing Primary challengers to incumbents this cycle.
Basabe said a lawmaker with independence from their party is a rare find in the Florida Legislature.
But of note, Basabe did make clear his support for Alvarez extends to an August Primary.
“He is a legislator who works, who delivers, and who cares about his people. I know this firsthand because we co-sponsored legislation together to put life-saving overdose reversal medication in classrooms, a practical solution that protects children and families in real time,” he said.
“So here is the truth. If you are not voting Republican, this is your candidate. Representative José Alvarez is the rare Democrat who puts people first, not party bosses.”
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References
- ^ endorsed his own re-election (floridapolitics.com)
- ^ supported (floridapolitics.com)
- ^ abortion (floridapolitics.com)
- ^ just 241 votes (floridapolitics.com)
- ^ MCI Maps (mcimaps.substack.com)
- ^ 39% of the vote (www.clickorlando.com)