Gabrielle Russon
The controversial former U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson, is running in the Special Election to fill the late Sen. Geraldine Thompson’s seat in District 15.
“I’m declaring because it seems to me that I’m the only candidate who will be able to accomplish anything for the people in the district. I’m seeing a pervasive failure on the part of Democratic candidates and elected officials to accomplish anything meaningful,” Grayson said when reached for comment. “In contrast, when I was in Congress, I got many, many good things done.”
Noon Wednesday is the official filing deadline for the June 24 Special Primary. The Special General Election is set for Sept. 2.
Thompson, 76, a longtime lawmaker representing Orlando, died in February from surgery complications.
As of Tuesday night before the looming deadline, Grayson, an Orlando Democrat, is one of five candidates seeking the office.
The race evokes a sibling rivalry between Rep. LaVon Bracy Davis and her brother Randolph Bracy, both Democrats. Bracy Davis had previously endorsed Thompson over her brother for District 15 in 2024.
The other two candidates are Willie Montague, a Republican who is the founder of faith-based rehab nonprofit House of Timothy, and Democrat Coretta Anthony-Smith, a personal injury lawyer.
Bracy Davis resigned from her House seat effective Sept. 1 to run.
Last year, Grayson ran for U.S. Senate but then withdrew and filed for a state Senate seat instead in District 25. Ultimately, Kristen Arrington prevailed and was elected to Tallahassee.
Grayson, who won with the backing of progressives, was first elected to a term in the U.S. House in 2008, before losing in 2010. Grayson later came back in a different district and was elected again in 2012 and won re-election in 2014.
The three-term Congressman sought a U.S. House again in 2022 but ended up losing to Maxwell Frost, who became the first member of Generation Z sent to Washington.
Grayson touted his accomplishments Tuesday, such as getting $1 billion in highway improvements and an extra $200 million for schools, he said.
Grayson also made headlines over the years for his personal problems and for remarks by former Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid, accused Grayson of having “no moral compass” and using “his status as a congressman to unethically promote his Cayman Islands hedge funds.”
Grayson countered back, according to the 2016 Politico story, “Let’s face it, I’m not the establishment candidate. The establishment wants somebody who is a callow tool.”
