Gay Florida Democratic Candidate Sues His Aunt For Running Against Him With A Soundalike Pseudonym

Florida Politics reports:

House District 106 candidate Joe Saunders is suing his aunt for running against him with a pseudonym remarkably similar to his name. Saunders filed a complaint against Maureen Saunders Scott for filing as a no-party candidate in HD 106 under the name “Moe Saunders.”

“This is a clear violation of Florida law, and the facts speak for themselves: Maureen Saunders Scott is attempting to deceive, mislead and confuse voters supporting Joe Saunders by using a false nickname on the ballot,” said Kendall Coffey, an attorney for Joe Saunders’ campaign.

Joe Saunders, the only Democratic candidate filed, is running in the district served by incumbent Rep. Fabian Basabe, a Miami Beach Republican. Basabe won the seat in 2022 by just 242 votes.

Read the full article.

When “Moe Saunders” first appeared in a ballot filing a couple of weeks ago, there were immediate suspicions that this was yet another in a spate of paid “ghost candidates” with a soundalike names that have helped take down Florida Democrats in recent elections.

In one of those cases, charges were brought but the Republican kept the seat. “Moe Saunders” may not technically be a ghost candidate, but the intent appears to be the same.

Per his Wikipedia profile, Joe Saunders became Florida’s first openly gay state lawmaker when he was elected to a single term in 2012. Saunders currently works for Equality Florida.

Of note, “Moe Saunders” has retweeted a post from the anti-LGBTQ hate group, Gays Against Groomers.

As for incumbent “gay but married to a woman” homocon GOP state Rep. Fabian Basabe, my 2023 post about him remains one of our wildest in recent years.

BREAKING NEWS: Today, my campaign has filed a lawsuit to ensure the integrity of our elections. Voters in this community deserve a clear and fair election.

pic.twitter.com/JjqPOqeRH5

— Joe Saunders (@JoeSaunders4FL) June 25, 2024

Inbox: Dem House District 106 candidate @JoeSaunders4FL is suing his NPA aunt Maureen Saunders Scott (@new_kim26659), who is running in HD 106 too, for “fraudulent conduct.” Saunders Scott changed her name on the ballot to “Moe Saunders” in an apparent attempt to confuse voters. pic.twitter.com/LoLUX6gzdm

— Jesse Scheckner (@JesseScheckner) June 25, 2024

I know my nephew and I know he is bad for Florida. I have seen the incumbent’s record and believe he is also a bad choice for Florida.

— Aunt Moe Saunders for FL (@new_kim26659) June 20, 2024

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