Oscar Braynon and Donald Trump might seem like an unlikely pair, but the two are rallying around a common cause to call for an investigation of widespread voter fraud.
The tables have now turned Florida’s Senate Minority Leader is siding with President Donald Trump in a call for an investigation on possible voter fraud, grasping closely to allegations the Democratic Party scoffed at during the 2016 general election.
Trump tweeted Wednesday he would be asking for a “major investigation” into voter fraud, including people registered to vote in two states, illegal voters and dead voters still on the voting rolls.
“Depending on the results, we will strengthen up voting procedures,” Trump wrote.
Sen. Oscar Braynon quickly piggybacked off of Trump’s claims and wrote a letter to Florida Secretary of State Ken Detzner, telling Detzner he should take a closer look at voter fraud in the Sunshine State.
“While President Trump has signaled, via Twitter, his intent to probe his allegations, I believe that charges of election fraud by the president of the United States are far too serious to allow more time to elapse,” Braynon wrote. “The statute appears to make clear that, on the basis of his allegations, you now have a legal obligation to act.”
Previous investigations into voter fraud have not turned up any significant evidence of widespread fraud in Florida, a fact Braynon acknowledged in his letter.
“I am well aware that such reviews and purges in the past failed to turn up any evidence of widespread fraud; in fact, a number of individuals, including decorated military veterans were falsely accused of such acts,” he wrote.
Braynon told Sunshine State News he thought Trump’s claims were “ridiculous,” but said he thought the state should investigate anyway, even though the voter fraud well would likely end up being dry.
“I still think [it’s crazy,]” Braynon said.
When asked if an investigation would be a waste of taxpayer money, Braynon said it was up to Detzner to make the call.
“If that’s what they choose to spend their money on…then it’s what they spend their money on,” he said.
Trump had warned of massive voter fraud before the general election in November -- allegations many, including Democrats -- said simply weren’t true. Even Gov. Scott, a Trump supporter, said he did not believe Florida’s election would be rigged.
“There are always going to be bad apples out there,” Scott said. “[There are] always people who try to do the wrong thing but we are going to work every day to make sure we have a fair election.”
Detzner's office said it was "reviewing" the request.
At the end of the day, Braynon said the state should let Trump get his way.
“I think the same result will happen, but if [Trump] wants to do it, let’s do it again,” he told SSN. “I don’t know what he plans to accomplish because what could be proven is that he couldn’t be president. I encourage him to question the positive results that he received.”
Reach reporter Allison Nielsen by email at allison@sunshinestatenews.com or follow her on Twitter: @AllisonNielsen.
