Florida lawmakers admit to affair, issue joint apology

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Bipartisanship is indeed alive and well in Tallahassee.

The State Senate opened this morning with a bombshell of sorts, a public apology from two south Florida lawmakers admitting to an affair.

State Sens. Oscar Branyon of Miami Gardens and Anitere Flores Miami issued a joint statement.

"As this 2018 session of the Florida Legislature gets underway, we do not want gossip and rumors to distract from the important business of the people. That's why we are issuing this brief statement to acknowledge that our longtime friendship evolved to a level that we deeply regret. We have sought the forgiveness of our families, and also seek the forgiveness of our constituents and God. We ask everyone else to respect and provide our families the privacy that they deserve as we move past this to focus on the important work ahead."

The statement was released this morning after an anonymous website detailed the alleged tryst.

Branyon is leader of the 15-member Senate Democratic Caucus.  Flores is currently chair of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee.

The two each rented units in the Tennyson condominium building where a number of lawmakers reside during the legislative session.  According to the report, Branyon and Flores had units across the hall from one another.

Recently, state lawmakers and other power players in Tallahassee have been linked to several scandals involving sexual misconduct.