Politics
Thousands Celebrate the Life and Legacy of Civil Rights Titan Senator Geraldine Thompson
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) – Thousands of mourners from across Florida filled Majestic Life Church in Orlando Friday morning to honor the life and legacy of state Senator Geraldine Thompson, a revered civil rights leader and dedicated public servant.
Thousands of mourners from across Florida filled Majestic Life Church in Orlando, Friday, February 28, 2025. Photo by Florida National News / J. Willie David, III
Thompson, 76, passed away on February 13 following complications from knee replacement surgery. She served western Orange County for over 16 years as a Democrat in the Florida Legislature, both in the state House and Senate, and had recently been reelected to the state Senate in November 2024.
Her memorial, a heartfelt “going home celebration,” drew a wide array of current and former federal, state, and local elected officials, as well as federal, state, and county judges. Notable attendees included U.S. Congressman Maxwell Frost, former Congressmen John Mica and Alan Grayson, state Senate President Ben Albritton, state Senate Minority Leader Jason Pizzo, local State Senators Carols Guillermo Smith and Kristen Arrington, Democratic House Leader Fentrice Driskell, State Representative Michele Rayner, local State Representatrive Anna Eskamani, former local State Representative Daisy Morales, Orange and Osceola State Attorney Monique Worrell, former Orange County Property Appraiser Rick Singh, former Orange County Supervisor of Elections Glen Gilzean, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and Ocoee City Commissioner George Oliver, III.
Sitting in the front row, famed Civil Rights Attorney Ben Crump, Florida State Representative Michele Rayner, Attorney Natalie Jackson, and former Florida State Representative Daisy Morales paid their respects to the late State Senator Geraldine Thompson in Orlando, Florida, on Friday, February 28, 2025. Photo by Florida National News / J. Willie David, III
Civil Rights Attorneys Ben Crump and Natalie Jackson also paid their respects. Many attendees wore scarves in tribute to the beloved state lawmaker.
Dr. LaVon Bracy, a friend of the late State Senator Geraldine Thompson for over 50 years, spoke to thousands at the homegoing celebration in Orlando on Friday, February 28, 2025. Photo by Florida National News / J. Willie David, III
Honoring Thompson’s Legacy
Dr. LaVon Bracy, a friend of Thompson for over 50 years and the maid of honor at Thompson’s wedding to her husband Emerson, reflected on the significance of Thompson passing during Black History Month.
Bracy highlighted Thompson’s activism during her time at the University of Miami, where she was a pioneer for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, advocating for Black faculty representation and the creation of a Black Student Union.
The daughters and son of the late State Senator Geraldine Thompson shared their mother’s impact during her homegoing celebration in Orlando, Florida, on February 28, 2025. Photo by Florida National News / J. Willie David, III
A Mother’s Influence
Thompson’s daughter, Elizabeth Grace, shared how her mother instilled confidence and strength in those around her.
“She believed in us so hard, breathed life into us, and made us believe in ourselves so strongly that I think each of us sit here knowing there’s nothing that we can’t do,” Grace said.
Charlean Gatlin, a former staff member, shared the impact of the late State Senator Geraldine Thompson on the community in Orlando, Florida, on February 25, 2025. Photo by Florida National News / J. Willie David, III
Impact on Community Leaders
Charlean Gatlin, a former staff member, asked everyone who had ever worked for Thompson to stand, showcasing the breadth of her influence.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the individuals standing before you are representations of Sen. Thompson’s essence of influence,” Gatlin said. “They are educators, community advocates, lobbyists, and public servants whose round of expertise has reached from the State House to the White House.”
The family of the late State Senator Geraldine Thompson shared the iconic lawmaker’s legacy during the homegoing celebration in Orlando, Florida, on February 28, 2025. Photo by Florida National News / J. Willie David, III
Continuing the Legacy
Thompson’s granddaughter, Symone Thompson, emphasized her grandmother’s dedication to preserving Black history and storytelling.
“Her work ethic, passion for her community, determination, and love for preserving Black history are things I will never forget,” Symone Thompson said.
Filling Thompson’s Seat
During a press conference Friday, Governor Ron DeSantis addressed the timeline for a Special Election to fill Thompson’s Senate District 15 seat.
“It’s too early to set a date,” DeSantis said. “We will likely announce the date after her funeral and work with Orange County to find a convenient time.”
_____________________________________________________________________
J Willie David, III
Florida National News and FNN News Network
News@FloridaNationalNews.com
Florida
Joe Strada Loans Campaign $5 Million, Launches $1 Million Ad Buy in Congressional District 11
The ad was produced by political strategist Brad Herold of Something Else Strategies and marks the first major media investment of the campaign.
$5 MILLION PERSONAL LOAN TO CAMPAIGN
Strada, founder of Strada Services, announced last week that he had loaned his congressional campaign $5 million, providing the campaign with substantial financial resources early in the election cycle.
Strada Services is one of the nation’s largest privately held, family-owned companies specializing in air conditioning, electrical, security, and plumbing services.
The campaign said the loan and advertising investment demonstrate Strada’s commitment to communicating directly with voters throughout Central Florida.
FIRST MAJOR MEDIA PUSH
The $1 million advertising effort is expected to reach voters across Florida’s 11th Congressional District through a combination of television, radio, and digital media platforms.
The campaign has positioned Strada as a conservative outsider and successful entrepreneur focused on bringing private-sector experience to Washington.
Additional details regarding future advertising and campaign events are expected in the coming weeks.
ABOUT FLORIDA’S 11TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
Florida’s 11th Congressional District includes portions of Central Florida and is expected to be one of the state’s closely watched congressional races during the 2026 election cycle.
Florida
Republican Rep. Paula Stark Disqualified From Ballot, Giving Democrats Opportunity to Flip House District 47
OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. (FNN NEWS) — Florida State Rep. Paula Stark has been disqualified from seeking reelection in Florida House District 47 after failing to satisfy candidate qualifying requirements before the noon Friday filing deadline.
According to state election records, Stark’s candidacy was disqualified due to a deficiency involving required financial disclosure filings, commonly referred to as Form 6. Florida law requires candidates for legislative office to timely submit all qualifying documents, including financial disclosure forms, to appear on the ballot.
Form 6 Financial Disclosure Requirement
Form 6 is a public financial disclosure document required for state elected officials and candidates. The form requires candidates to disclose assets, liabilities, sources of income, and other financial interests.
The disclosure includes a sworn certification stating: “Under penalties of perjury, I declare that I have read the foregoing Form 6 and that the facts stated in it are true.”
Candidates are required to complete, sign and timely file the disclosure as part of Florida’s qualifying process. Failure to properly file required qualifying documents, including Form 6, by the statutory deadline can result in disqualification from the ballot.
Democrats Advance to Primary Election
With Stark removed from contention, Democrats now have an opportunity to capture the Republican-held seat in House District 47.
The only candidates remaining in the race are:
- Jorge Figueroa, President of the Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida
- Anthony Nieves, a state investigator
The two Democrats will compete in the Aug. 18 Democratic Primary, with the winner becoming Representative-Elect.
House District 47 covers portions of Osceola County and has been represented by Stark since her election to the Florida House.
The disqualification was among the most notable developments of Florida’s 2026 candidate qualifying period and significantly alters the political landscape in a district Republicans had hoped to retain.
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