Randolph Bracy

Bracy was born in Jacksonville to Randolph Bracy, Jr. and LaVon Wright Bracy,{{Cite web|last=Bracy|first=Randolph Bracy Jr and LaVon Wright|title=Dealing with racism, generation after generation {{!}} Commentary|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/opinion/guest-commentary/os-op-randolph-lavon-bracy-white-people-do-better-20200607-rvphhtmjnzeldigocb2rjeojxu-story.html|access-date=2021-08-31|website=orlandosentinel.com|date=7 June 2020 }} the founders of the New Covenant Baptist Church in Orlando. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the College of William & Mary where he starred on the basketball team,{{Cite web|last=Call|first=James|title=The 'game' after the game: When college athletes turn into Florida politicians|url=https://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/politics/2019/12/02/athletes-sports-playing-game-politicians-capitol-capital/4098061002/|access-date=2021-08-31|website=Tallahassee Democrat|language=en-US}} followed by a Master of Business Administration and Master of Science in sports administration from the University of Central Florida.

Prior to holding elected office, Bracy worked as the Director of Business Development at Workforce Advantage Academy, a charter school in Orange County.

In 2012, following the reconfiguration of Florida House of Representatives districts, Bracy opted to run in the newly created 45th district, which includes Apopka, Ocoee, and Winter Garden and has a minority-majority population. He faced Shannon Currie, a former legislative aide to retiring State Senator Gary Siplin, in the Democratic primary. The Orlando Sentinel endorsed Bracy, praising his "real-world experience in building partnerships to entice businesses."{{cite web|url=http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-07-25/opinion/os-ed-state-legislature-endorsements-072512-20120724_1_senate-district-house-district-geraldine-thompson|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111192114/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-07-25/opinion/os-ed-state-legislature-endorsements-072512-20120724_1_senate-district-house-district-geraldine-thompson|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 11, 2013|title=For Senate District 12, House Districts 45, 46, we endorse...|date=July 25, 2012|accessdate=May 5, 2014|work=Orlando Sentinel}}

In the end, Bracy narrowly defeated Currie, winning with 54% of the vote and a 562 vote margin of victory. He faced the Republican nominee, Ronny Oliveira, in the general election, and once again, the Sentinel endorsed him for his "better articulated vision for improving the district."{{cite web|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2012/10/06/in-house-districts-45-47/|title=In House Districts 45, 47|date=October 6, 2012|access-date=May 5, 2014|work=Orlando Sentinel}} As was to be expected in this heavily Democratic district, Bracy defeated Oliveira in a landslide, receiving 69% of the vote, and was sworn into his first term in the Florida House of Representatives later that year. In 2014, Bracy was re-elected to his second term without opposition.

In 2016, Bracy announced that he would run for the Florida Senate in the 11th district, following incumbent senator Geraldine Thompson's decision to run for Florida's 10th Congressional District. Bracy defeated environmental activist Chuck O'Neal, former Orange County Commissioner Bob Sindler, and former state senator Gary Siplin in the Democratic primary.{{cite web|url=http://floridapolitics.com/archives/209423-randolph-bracy-gary-siplin-boast-top-fundraising-april-sd-13|title=Randolph Bracy, Gary Siplin boast top fundraising April in SD 13|date=May 11, 2016|accessdate=May 11, 2016|work=Florida Politics|first=Scott|last=Powers}} He defeated write-in opponents in the general election.{{Cite news|url=http://floridapolitics.com/archives/226808-randolph-bracy-dennis-baxley-dorothy-hukill-cruise-state-senate-victories|title=Randolph Bracy, Dennis Baxley, Dorothy Hukill cruise to state Senate victories|last=Powers|first=Scott|date=2016-11-08|work=Florida Politics|access-date=2016-11-12}}

In 2021, Bracy voted against Senate Bill 86.{{Cite web|title=Florida Senate Vote Record, Senate Bill 86, 2021 Regular Session|url=https://flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2021/86/Vote/SenateVote_s00086c2007.PDF}}

On May 25, 2021, Bracy announced his bid for the U.S. House of Representatives Florida's 10th congressional district 2022 election to replace incumbent Val Demings.{{Cite web |last=Fineout |first=Gary |title=Florida state Sen. Bracy to run for congressional seat now held by Demings |url=https://politi.co/3oQflUR |website=Politico PRO|date=25 May 2021 }}{{Cite web |last=Axelrod |first=Tal |date=May 25, 2021 |title=Florida state senator announces bid for Demings's House seat |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/555411-florida-state-senator-announces-bid-for-demings-house-seat |website=TheHill}} He finished second in a field that included, among others, political activist Maxwell Frost, who won, as well as former US Representatives Alan Grayson and Corrine Brown in the August{{nbsp}}23, 2022 Democratic primary.{{cite news |last1=Swisher |first1=Skyler |title=Maxwell Frost, 25-year-old activist, likely headed to Congress after primary win |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/politics/2022-election/os-ne-politics-2022-election-primary-congress-20220824-finwduzfwjfohllcekxnraggem-story.html |access-date=24 August 2022 |work=Orlando Sentinel |date=August 23, 2022}}

In the Florida Senate, Bracy has advocated for and consistently supported legislation to prohibit the sale or transfer of assault weapons and large-capacity magazine.{{cite web |title=Senate Bill 214 (2022) |url=https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2022/214 |website=flsenate.gov |publisher=Florida Senate |access-date=17 April 2022}} Bracy also co-sponsored legislation to ban assault weapons in both 2021 and 2022.{{cite web |title=Senate Bill 370 (2021) |url=https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2021/370 |website=flsenate.gov |publisher=Florida Senate |access-date=17 April 2022}}

In April 2020, Bracy called on legislative leaders to consider a special session of the legislature to increase the amount of money and duration of state unemployment benefits. The request was not acted upon, with legislative leaders pointing to substantial additional federal unemployment checks authorized in the CARES Act.{{cite web |last1=Powers |first1=Scott |title=Randolph Bracy urges unemployment benefits increase in Special Session |url=https://floridapolitics.com/archives/327331-randolph-bracy-urges-unemployment-benefits-increase-in-special-session |website=Florida Politics |date=8 April 2020 |access-date=8 April 2020}}

In the 2021 Florida legislature session, Bracy was appointed vice-chair of the Senate Select Committee on Pandemic Preparedness and Response.{{cite web |last1=Morgan |first1=Issac |title=FL Legislature 2021: Black lawmakers have to struggle to gain leadership roles, address issues affecting Blacks |url=https://www.floridaphoenix.com/2021/02/24/fl-legislature-2021-black-lawmakers-have-to-struggle-to-gain-leadership-roles-address-issues-affecting-blacks/ |website=Florida Phoenix |date=24 February 2021 |access-date=24 February 2021}} He introduced a bill to increase state unemployment benefits from $275 to $400 maximum weekly benefits and extend eligibility from 19 weeks to 26 weeks.{{cite web |last1=Staff |title=New Proposal Would Boost State Unemployment Benefits From $275 To $400 |url=https://miami.cbslocal.com/2021/01/06/proposal-boost-florida-unemployment-benefits/ |website=CBS 4 Miami |date=6 January 2021 |access-date=6 January 2021}}

In December 2020, Bracy introduced a bill to allow those with misdemeanor marijuana convictions to expunge their criminal records.{{cite web |last1=Wilson |first1=Sarah |title=Florida state senator proposes bill aimed at erasing marijuana convictions |url=https://www.wftv.com/news/local/orange-county/happening-11-am-sen-bracy-discussing-new-bill-aimed-erasing-marijuana-convictions/UAUEAPSHC5GNJBGMXPBR6CFFXQ/ |website=WFTV 9 ABC |date=8 December 2020 |publisher=ABC |access-date=8 December 2020}}

In January 2021, Bracy filed a bill to create a public-records exemption that would broadly prohibit the public release of booking photos (known informally as mug shots), except in certain circumstances such as an immediate threat to the public. Bracy's statement argued that the publication of booking photographs on the internet has made them remain in perpetuity and caused "persistent and permanent" damage, even in cases where charges are ultimately dropped, "the person is ultimately found not guilty by a judge or jury, or his or her arrest record is subsequently sealed or expunged.”{{cite web |title=Orlando lawmaker targets mug shots, citing 'lasting harm' |url=https://www.clickorlando.com/news/2021/01/07/orlando-lawmaker-targets-mug-shots-citing-lasting-harm/ |website=ClickOrlando.com |date=7 January 2021 |access-date=7 January 2021}}

In June 2020, Bracy authored an op-ed in the Orlando Sentinel arguing the state legislature "must reform police in wake of brutality" in the wake of the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police. He requested a special session of the Florida legislature to address police brutality and bias against African-Americans, which was turned down by the legislature.{{cite web |last1=Rohrer |first1=Gray |title=Sen. Randolph Bracy of Orlando considering run for governor |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/politics/os-ne-bracy-governor-race-primary-20210223-jpz435jsqfahxfv5bhstfkee7u-story.html |website=Orlando Sentinel |date=23 February 2021 |access-date=23 February 2021}}{{cite web |last1=Bracy |first1=Randoplh |title=Sen. Bracy: Legislature must reform police in wake of brutality {{!}} Commentary |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/opinion/guest-commentary/os-op-randolph-bracy-reform-police-20200610-dux4ydcfnng2nd3len5xf2vs4a-story.html |website=Orlando Sentinel |date=10 June 2020 |access-date=10 June 2020}} Bracy's proposal for a special session included 10 measures he wanted considered including: removing investigations of police shootings from internal to outside entities, increasing jury pay; ensuring diversity on jury panels; mandated officer training on “implicit bias and de-escalation;” published annual data on an “analysis on racial disparity;” and inclusion of a “civilian review board member” on an investigative team.{{cite web |last1=Morgan |first1=Issac |title=Other solutions Bracy mentioned include increasing jury pay; ensuring diversity on jury panels; mandated officer training on "implicit bias and de-escalation;" publish annual data on an "analysis on racial disparity;" and inclusion of a "civilian review board member" on an investigative team. |url=https://www.floridaphoenix.com/2020/06/05/state-senator-calls-for-special-session-on-police-reform-innocent-lives-may-be-lost-while-we-wait/ |website=Florida Phoenix |date=5 June 2020 |access-date=27 February 2021}}

In the 2021 Florida legislative session, Bracy sponsored several bills, including SB 730, that would lead to officers facing third-degree felony charges under certain circumstances where they use chokeholds or other related tactics. The proposed "Strangulation by a law enforcement officer" offense would lead to felony charges if an on duty officer "knowingly and intentionally impedes the normal breathing or circulation of the blood of an individual so as to create a risk of or cause great bodily harm or death by applying pressure on the throat or neck of the individual or by blocking the nose or mouth of the individual, including the use of a chokehold or similar restraint.”{{cite web |last1=News Service of Florida |title=Florida bill targets strangulation by police officers |url=https://www.news4jax.com/news/florida/2021/01/22/florida-bill-targets-strangulation-by-police-officers/ |website=News 4 Jax |date=22 January 2021 |access-date=23 January 2021}}

Another bill introduced was SB454, which would have required local law enforcement to collect and report monthly the number of traffic stops completed, the race and ethnicity of the police officer and the race and ethnicity of the person stopped. He also introduced SB452 and 482 mandating uniformed standards for body and dashboard cameras and creating a statewide police misconduct registry that tracks the history of law enforcement officers, respectively.{{cite web |last1=Wilson |first1=Sarah |last2=Allbrittin |first2=Deana |title=Here are the bills the Florida Legislative Black Caucus is proposing for criminal justice reform |url=https://www.wftv.com/news/florida/here-are-bills-florida-legislative-black-caucus-is-proposing-criminal-justice-reform/TAI6HWMRSBFJ3A5UX2RKWNWBZY/ |website=WFTV 9 ABC |date=26 February 2021 |publisher=ABC |access-date=26 February 2021}}

In October 2019, Bracy introduced legislation (SB 566) to add “protected hairstyle” to state civil rights laws as an "impermissible grounds for bias," alongside current protected classes such as race, religion, gender, national origin, age, handicap and marital status. The "Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair (CROWN) Act” would prohibit discrimination based on natural hairstyles, targeting policies in employment and within schools, where dress codes may limit hair styles.{{cite web |last1=Ogles |first1=Jacob |title=Randolph Bracy wants end to discrimination based on hair |url=https://floridapolitics.com/archives/308923-randolph-bracy-wants-end-to-discrimination-based-on-hair |website=Florida Politics |date=19 October 2019 |access-date=19 October 2019}}

In June 2020, Bracy began a push to make Juneteenth a state holiday, with June 19 marking the date the news of the Emancipation Proclamation reached Texas, the westernmost member of the former Confederacy.{{cite web |last1=Castro |first1=Ezzy |title=Florida senator pushing to make Juneteenth state holiday |url=https://floridapolitics.com/archives/327331-randolph-bracy-urges-unemployment-benefits-increase-in-special-session |website=ClickOrlando.com |date=8 April 2020 |access-date=19 June 2020}}

Bracy was one of few Democrats to vote for legislation authored by utility company Florida Power & Light (FPL) to phase out net metering for rooftop solar panels. The legislation would undermine the state’s growing solar industry and benefit companies like FPL that compete with solar energy.{{Cite web |title=Florida lawmakers vote to phase out rooftop solar incentives |url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2022/03/07/florida-lawmakers-vote-to-phase-out-rooftop-solar-incentives/ |access-date=2022-03-08 |website=Tampa Bay Times |language=en}}

{{reflist}}

• [https://www.flsenate.gov/Senators/s11/ Florida Senate - Randolph Bracy]
• [http://bracyforhouse.com/ Randolph Bracy for State Senate]
• [http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Representatives/details.aspx?MemberId=4548 Florida House of Representatives - Randolph Bracy]

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{{s-ttl|title=Member of the Florida House of Representatives
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{{s-ttl|title=Member of the Florida Senate
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Category:1977 births

Category:African-American state legislators in Florida

Category:Candidates in the 2022 United States House of Representatives elections

Category:College of William & Mary alumni

Category:Democratic Party Florida state senators

Category:Living people

Category:Democratic Party members of the Florida House of Representatives

Category:Politicians from Jacksonville, Florida

Category:University of Central Florida alumni

Category:21st-century members of the Florida Legislature

Category:21st-century African-American politicians