Browning ‘poised’ to join Congress but would step aside to aid Trump’s interests

File photo: Former school board member Don Browning of District 2 speaks during a meeting of the Marion County Public School Board at the MTI auditorium in Ocala, Fla. on Tuesday, April 26, 2022. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

A former Marion County School Board member has declared his candidacy for the District 6 U.S. House of Representatives vacancy left by Michael Waltz, who is expected to join President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet as National Security Adviser.

Donald Browning, of Weirsdale, has sent the Florida Division of Elections a letter of intent to run in the special election. Soon after, Trump issued an endorsement for Republican State Sen. Randy Fine, District 19, who filed to run on Dec. 3.

Browning, an 82-year-old Republican, said he intends to continue running but will honor Trump’s wishes in the best interest of the Republican Party.

“I am following Trump’s direction, which is a clear runway, right straight to Congress. We want to light that thing up and hold the majority,” Browning said.

Trump endorsed Fine, a state senator from Melbourne Beach, in a post on Nov. 23.

“A Harvard-educated, successful businessman and highly respected state legislator, Randy has been an incredible voice for MAGA and the great people of Florida,” Trump wrote. “Run, Randy, Run!”

Fine and Browning are joined by three other candidates: Andrew Parrott, a Libertarian; Joshua Vasquez, a Republican; and Ehsan Joarder, a Republican.

Qualifying will take place on Dec. 5 and 6. If there are two or more candidates, a primary election will be held for the Republican and Democratic parties on Jan. 28, with a general election on April 1.

Browning formerly served on the Marion County School Board from August 2021 until November 2022. He was appointed to the board by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

During his term, an investigation was held into Browning in relation to accusations that he made sexist and racist remarks to other school district staff. The investigation lasted for several months and was conducted in response to a Title VII complaint accusing Browning of causing hostility in the workplace.

Browning was found to have not contributed to a “hostile work environment,” but his words and actions were found to have amounted to “bullying and harassment” as defined by the school board’s policy. The findings of the investigation were sent to the governor’s office, but no disciplinary action was taken against Browning.

Now, Browning lists education as a key value if he is given the opportunity to serve District 6 in the U.S. House of Representatives.

“I’m poised, I’m right there, and I’m MAGA. That’s just what I am. I’ve been behind Trump since his early days,” Browning said. “All they’ve got to do is say, ‘Go soldier, move. Attention on deck.’ And I’m there.”

Browning is a retired businessman and formerly served in the U.S. Navy.

“We want to end the ‘woke.’ We want to end the nonsense. We want to end socialism,” Browning said. “I say it like this: ‘If grandma would not approve of it at Thanksgiving dinner, then get your elbows off the table and go to your room.’”

Browning also expressed a desire to improve the health of Marion County’s citizens, who suffer from cancer at higher rates than most other counties in the state of Florida.

Marion County sees 525 occurrences of cancer out of every 100,000 people, in comparison to the state average of 473 per 100,000, according to FLhealthcharts.gov

Regardless of his willingness to serve, Browning said he supports Fine as Trump does.

“In my opinion, he’s a total patriot who’s been recognized by the MAGA organization,” Browning said.