Florida Sen. Oscar Braynon, D-Miami Lakes, was chosen this week to lead Democrats in the state Senate following the 2016 elections.
While he represents one of the most liberal districts in Florida -- President Barack Obama won 88 percent in the district, which includes parts of Broward and Miami-Dade counties -- Braynon has been a favorite Democrat of the business community. In 2014, Braynon won the support of the Florida Chamber of Commerce and the Associated Industries of Florida (AIF) over a write-in candidate.
Braynon was unanimously designated as incoming leader on Wednesday.
The unity of this vote speaks to the unity of this caucus, Braynon said after wining the vote. And it is that united front that will enable us to do great things for the people of Florida.
Current Florida Senate Democratic Leader Arthenia Joyner, D-Tampa, praised the decision.
Sen. Braynon is fond of saying that the only way to make a difference in the lives of others is to be an active participant in the political process, Joyner said. His commitment to improving the lives of Floridians is unshakeable, and our state will have a true champion for the people under his leadership.
Braynon has been on the political scene for over a decade, winning a seat on the Miami Gardens City Council in 2003 and rising to become vice mayor in 2005. He was elected to the Florida House in 2008 and moved over to the Florida Senate in 2011 after winning a special election for the seat which had been vacated when Frederica Wilson was elected to Congress. Braynon is currently part of the Democratic hierarchy as leader pro tempore and he is the vice chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government.
The GOP majority in the Senate has not chosen a replacement for current Senate President Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando. Both Sen. Joe Negron, R-Stuart, and Sen. Jack Latvala, R-St. Petersburg, are angling to lead the Senate after the 2016 elections.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
