Drag queen and pro wrestler Sandra Spitz to stand in Newham local elections
Spitz is a drag wrestling character with a fictional backstory involving a magician husband and a parasitic twin
By Callum Wells
A drag queen pro wrestler is set to stand for the Green Party in the upcoming local elections on 7 May, representing Green Street East in Newham, East London.
Steven Braines will campaign in the borough by day before performing that evening as wrestling character Sandra Spitz at a sold-out Hustle Wrestling show at The Colour Factory in East London.
Braines said, “Politics is very much like pro-wrestling as, sadly, all too often the dirtiest players win. I’m here to change that. No matter how hard I fight for my Hustle Wrestling family as Sandra Spitz, I’ll fight even harder for the constituents of Green Street East and Newham as Steven Braines”.
Who is Sandra Spitz?
Sandra Spitz previously appeared at Hustle Wrestling’s last event, where the character took part in a segment involving Australian wrestler Toni Harlow.
The queer-owned wrestling promotion said five wrestlers trained by founder Jonny Bailey received WWE tryouts this week, while former champion Lizzy Rain recently appeared on WWE television.
Sandra Spitz is a drag wrestling character with a fictional backstory involving a magician husband and a parasitic twin. Celebrity supporters linked to the character include Lana Del Rey, Becky Hill, Natasha Hamilton, Violet Chachki and Peaches.
“It’s time for change, for hope not hate, it’s time for the Greens” – Sandra Spitz on standing in the Newham local elections
Outside wrestling, Braines previously worked in journalism before studying Psychology and Occupational Psychology at Northumbria University. He later co-founded the music and events brand HE.SHE.THEY., which has worked with festivals and venues including Coachella, Glastonbury Festival, Pacha Ibiza and Amnesia Ibiza.
Braines said he joined the Green Party after meeting London co-leader Zack Polanski at a fundraiser.
He added: “It’s going to take a huge swing from Labour for me to win this seat but I’m proud that the Green’s are competing for more seats than ever before in the elections. Whatever happens I’ll still support my community and my party. Both Green Street East and the country deserves far better than they are being given by the Labour Party. It’s time for change, for hope not hate, it’s time for the Greens”.