Jacob Ogles
Former state Sen. Randolph Bracy has formally filed in a Special Election to succeed the late state Sen. Geraldine Thompson. But he’s already accruing fines for failing to file timely fundraising reports.
The Orlando Democrat filed in Senate District 15 on March 17, before Gov. Ron DeSantis called a Special Election for the seat following Thompson’s unexpected death in February. Bracy has since transferred his candidacy to the Special Election, where a Primary is scheduled for June 24 and a Special General Election will take place Sept. 2.
But since Bracy filed before the close of the first quarter, he was required to file his first fundraising reports no later than April 10. The state on April 11 issued him a letter informing him that automatic fines will be accrued until the campaign submits a report to the state.
“If no reportable activity occurred for the report date(s), you are still required to notify us in writing, via the Division’s Electronic Filing System, that no reportable activity occurred,” the letter reads.
If Bracy raised no money in the first quarter, then no fines will be assessed. But if he built up any funds, he would face a $50 fine for the first three days late and $500 for each day after that until the reports are in. Total fines cannot exceed 25% of total receipts or expenditures, whichever is greater.
Bracy is the third candidate to formally file for the seat.
Personal injury lawyer Coretta Anthony-Smith filed as a Democrat. Willie Montague, founder of faith-based rehab nonprofit House of Timothy, filed as a Republican.
Additionally, state Rep. LaVon Bracy Davis, an Ocoee Democrat and Bracy’s sister, already submitted her resignation from her House seat, effective Sept. 1, to be eligible to run in the Special Election.
Bracy is running to return to the Senate, where he served from 2016 to 2022. He chose not to seek re-election in 2022 and ran for Congress, but lost a Democratic Primary to now-U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost.
Thompson won election the same year to the SD 15 seat. In 2024, Bracy challenged Thompson but lost in an open Democratic Primary that settled the race in August.
Notably, Montague’s presence, if he qualified for the ballot, will change the dynamic of this race from last time Bracy appeared on the ballot. As long as the election remains unsettled until the September election, only registered Democrats will be allowed to vote in the June Primary.
