Former Sen. Oscar Braynon, who represented Miami-Dade and Broward in both the Florida House and the Senate for the last 12 years, has joined The Southern Group lobbying firm.
State law says he can’t lobby his old colleagues in Tallahassee. But he can lobby members of the executive branch, said Nelson Diaz, managing partner at the Miami (and Florida Keys) office, and chairman of the Miami-Dade Republican Party.
“I’m very excited to expand our local office with such a talented advocate who knows and understands our community and our county government better than anyone,” Diaz told Ladra, adding that they have worked with Braynon in his role as a legislator. “We look forward to assisting our clients with his reach of knowledge and relationships.”
And Ladra is sure it helps that the mayor will return Braynon’s calls.
A Democrat who started as a Miami Gardens councilman when he was 26 — and this year there was a bridge named after him — Braynon will be based in the firm’s Miami office and “assist clients with needs at both the local and state levels of government,” according to a statement from the company.
This is plan B. Braynon, who has consistently voted in favor of gaming resorts, had announced a run for Miami Gardens mayor last year but said in the spring that he would not pursue it. He said COVID19 has made him realize he needs to spend more time with his wife and two sons.
Ya think? Two years ago, an anonymous website (read: Frank Artiles) released hidden camera video of Braynon and another senator — a Republican, gasp! — meeting up at a love nest. The two veteran legislators admitted the extramarital affair just before the session started — so the rumors and whispers wouldn’t distract from “the important business of the people” — in a joint apology statement.
“Our longtime friendship evolved to a level that we deeply regret.”
But Miami loves a comeback story.
Most recently, the 43-year-old Braynon helped in the South Florida get-out-the-vote effort for President Elect Joe Biden and other Democrats, particularly Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and new District 1 Commissioner Oliver Gilbert.
“Senator Braynon is perfectly positioned to connect community and commerce on every level,” Gilbert was quoted as saying in Florida Politics. “He understands how government works, why businesses thrive, and the necessary interconnection that allows for the win/win situations.”
Braynon was already working in consulting. In 2016, he opened OJB2 Consulting to help small minority businesses expand statewide and help out-of-state companies establish a presence in South Florida.
According to the press release, Braynon has volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, Special Olympics, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, 100 Black Men of America, the United Way, the 5000 Role Models of Excellence organization and as a City of Miami Summer counselor, providing pre-employment training to disadvantaged youth.
Does this mean he has to resign from the Citizens Independent Transportation Trust?
Former Sen. Oscar Braynon II joins lobbyist team on tails of 2020 election added by Ladra on
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