Norman Braman
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| Norman Braman | |||
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| Basic facts | |||
| Role: | Donor | ||
| Location: | Miami, Florida | ||
| Affiliation: | Republican | ||
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Norman Braman is an auto dealer and former owner of the Philadelphia Eagles. Based in Miami, Florida, Braman pledged to contribute at least $10 million in support of Marco Rubio's (R) 2016 presidential campaign, likely by donating money to one of Rubio's Political Action Committees or PACs.[1]
Past political donations
Braman has contributed money to numerous political causes over the years. In 2011, he helped successfully recall the Mayor of Miami, Carlos Alvarez, after Alvarez and county commissioners passed a budget that raised property taxes and increased the salaries of county employees. The recall was approved with the support of 88 percent of residents. A year later, Braman supported a slate of candidates seeking to oust the incumbents on the Miami-Dade County Commission.[2][3]
Braman has supported Marco Rubio (R) in the past, as well, both in his personal and political life. While Rubio was a candidate for the Senate, Braman hired him as a lawyer and then covered the cost of Rubio's salary when he was employed as a teacher at Florida International University. Braman also employs Rubio's wife, Jeannette, at his family’s philanthropic foundation.[1][4]
According to The New York Times, "As Mr. Rubio has ascended in the ranks of Republican politics, Mr. Braman has emerged as a remarkable and unique patron. He has bankrolled Mr. Rubio’s campaigns. He has financed Mr. Rubio’s legislative agenda. And, at the same time, he has subsidized Mr. Rubio’s personal finances, as the rising politician and his wife grappled with heavy debt and big swings in their income."[1]
Marco Rubio presidential campaign, 2016
- See also: Marco Rubio presidential campaign, 2016
On April 13, 2015, Rubio announced his presidential run on a conference call with donors. He referred to himself as "uniquely qualified" for the nomination. The call came hours before a scheduled campaign rally in Miami. Rubio wasted no time in surrounding himself with a small but seasoned staff.[5]
According to an April 2015 Politico report, "The Miami businessman, Braman’s friends say, is considering spending anywhere from $10 million to $25 million — and possibly even more — on Rubio’s behalf, a cash stake that could potentially alter the course of the Republican race by enabling the Florida senator to wage a protracted fight for the nomination." Braman believed helping Rubio become the first Hispanic president of the United States is "part of my legacy."[2]
In April 2015, Braman told Politico that he chose to support Rubio over former Florida Governor Jeb Bush (R) based on past policy disagreements with Bush. Braman disapproved of then-Governor Bush's 2004 veto of $2 million in state funds earmarked to go to the Braman Breast Cancer Institute. He explained, “I have nothing against Jeb Bush personally. I was disappointed with the veto, which I was never given an explanation for. Who the hell is against breast cancer research, especially with what he allowed to become law?”[2]
Rubio suspended his presidential campaign on March 15, 2016.[6]
Recent news
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See also
- Marco Rubio
- Marco Rubio presidential campaign, 2016
- Marco Rubio presidential campaign key staff and advisors, 2016
- Carlos Alvarez and Natacha Seijas recall, Miami-Dade County, Florida (2011)
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 New York Times, "Billionaire Lifts Marco Rubio, Politically and Personally," May 9, 2015
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Politico, "Marco Rubio's secret weapon," April 20, 2015
- ↑ NBC Miami, "Braman Begins Recall Battle With Miami-Dade Mayor" 28 Sept. 2010
- ↑ Tampa Bay Times, "At Florida International University, GOP rising star Sen. Marco Rubio is professor Rubio," April 20, 2012
- ↑ CNN, "He's in: Marco Rubio's presidential challenge," April 13, 2015
- ↑ The New York Times, "Marco Rubio Suspends His Presidential Campaign," March 15, 2016
