Fabián Basabe adds support from Bay Harbor Islands Vice Mayor, Miami Beach drag performer

Miami Beach Republican Rep. Fabián Basabe announced endorsements this week from two figures with quite different political and personal backgrounds.

One is Bay Harbor Islands Vice Mayor Stephanie Bruder, a Democrat and longtime South Florida resident who has served at Town Hall for more than a decade, including as Mayor.

The other is Elaine Lancaster, a South Beach drag performer. Lancaster, a Republican, ran into professional difficulties in 2017 for supporting Donald Trump and posting inflammatory comments about San Juan’s Mayor during the President’s widely criticized hurricane response in Puerto Rico.

Bruder credited Basabe for his “continued service and steadfast dedication” to Bay Harbor Islands and its residents, adding, “It is my honor to offer my personal support and full endorsement of your upcoming campaign, and to wish you continued success in your ongoing commitment to public service.”

Notably, while Bruder said her endorsement was personal, she sent it with an official Bay Harbor Islands letterhead. Several other local officials in Basabe’s district have done the same this cycle.

“Your commitment to addressing the needs of municipalities such as ours, particularly in areas of infrastructure, public safety, and local governance has not gone unnoticed. Your accessibility and responsiveness to our Town’s concerns demonstrate your genuine investment in the well-being of your constituents,” Bruder wrote.

“We value your partnership and advocacy in the Florida Legislature and commend your efforts to ensure that small communities like Bay Harbor Islands have a voice at the state level.”

Lancaster, whose legal name is James Davis, highlighted Basabe’s “hard work, determination, and tenacity.”

“Your integrity and genuine dedication to the people you serve can’t be matched. You lead your district with such admirable heart and grace, and it’s truly inspiring to see,” Lancaster said in a statement. “Your integrity and steadfast commitment to your constituents continue to distinguish you as a truly admirable leader. I enthusiastically support your reelection campaign for Florida’s District 106.”

The nods from Bruder and Lancaster join others from Reps. Jose Alvarez of Kissimmee and Alex Rizo of Hialeah, Miami-Dade Tax Collector Dariel Fernandez, Aventura City Commissioner Gustavo Blachman, Hallandale Beach Commissioner Anabelle Lima-Taub, Bal Harbour Council member Buzzy Sklar and Miami Beach running legend Robert “Raven” Kraft, who said Basabe’s actions last year helped save him from homelessness.

Rizo, Fernandez, Blachman, Lima-Taub, Sklar and Kraft are Republicans. Alvarez is a Democrat.

Every elected leader in Golden Beach and North Bay Village, which includes Republicans, Democrats, and third- or no-party officials, has also endorsed Basabe.

Two Democrats have filed to run against Basabe: former Miami-Dade School Board member Lucia Báez-Geller and lawyer Ashley Litwin Diego. Both outraised Basabe last quarter.

HD 106 covers a coastal strip of Miami-Dade between Miami Beach and Aventura.

The 2026 Primary is Aug. 18, followed by the General Election on Nov. 3.