A Christian conservative advocacy group is recommending that voters support two Republicans facing serious accusations of sexual misconduct. The United Christians of America’s Sunshine State arm listed Miami Beach state Rep. Fabián Basabe and suspended Palm Beach County Clerk Mike Caruso in its voter guides for the November General Election.
Basabe was found liable by a jury in July for sexually harassing, battering and defaming two former House employees. The jury ordered him to pay them $450,000. He denies wrongdoing and is appealing. Caruso faces five felony counts tied to the alleged sexual abuse of a relative under 5 years old. Police arrested him Aug. 18, and Gov. Ron DeSantis suspended him the same day. Caruso has pleaded not guilty.
Basabe faces Democrat Lucia Báez-Geller in House District 106, which covers Miami Beach and nearby coastal communities. Caruso is running against Democrat Yvette Drucker, a Boca Raton council member, to win back his job. Neither challenger faces similar accusations.
Several local officials who endorsed Basabe before the verdict have not said whether they still back him, and others have withdrawn their support. Five of Miami Beach’s seven commissioners have called for him to resign.
Florida Politics said the group did not respond to requests for comment on whether it still supports the two men. Election Day is Nov. 3.
