Geraldine Thompson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Geraldine Thompson
|
|
|---|---|
.jpg)
Thompson in 2022
|
|
| Member of the Florida Senate from the 15th district |
|
| In office November 8, 2022 – February 13, 2025 |
|
| Preceded by | Randolph Bracy (redistricting) |
| Succeeded by | Vacant |
| Member of the Florida House of Representatives from the 44th district |
|
| In office November 6, 2018 – November 8, 2022 |
|
| Preceded by | Bobby Olszewski |
| Succeeded by | Carolina Amesty (redistricting) |
| Member of the Florida Senate from the 12th district |
|
| In office November 6, 2012 – November 8, 2016 |
|
| Preceded by | Gary Siplin (redistricting) |
| Succeeded by | Randolph Bracy (redistricting) |
| Member of the Florida House of Representatives from the 39th district |
|
| In office November 7, 2006 – November 6, 2012 |
|
| Preceded by | Bruce Antone |
| Succeeded by | Bruce Antone (redistricting) |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Geraldine Fortenberry
November 18, 1948 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Died | February 13, 2025 (aged 76) Orlando, Florida, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Alma mater | Miami-Dade Community College (AA) University of Miami (BEd) Florida State University (MS) |
| Profession | Educator |
Geraldine Fortenberry Thompson (November 18, 1948 – February 13, 2025) was an American politician. She was a member of the Democratic Party. Thompson served in the Florida Legislature from 2006 to 2025.
She was a long-time member of the Florida Legislature. She served in the Florida State Senate from 2012 to 2016. This included parts of Orlando and western Orange County. Before that, she served three terms in the Florida House of Representatives, from 2006 to 2012.
Later, she returned to the Florida House of Representatives. She represented the 44th District from 2018 to 2022. This district included popular places like Walt Disney World, Universal Studios Florida, and SeaWorld.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Geraldine Thompson was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1948. In 1955, her family moved to Florida. She grew up in Perrine. Her family worked in farming and construction there.
She attended Miami-Dade Community College. She then earned a scholarship to the University of Miami. She enrolled there shortly after the school stopped racial segregation. In 1970, she graduated with honors. She earned a bachelor's degree in journalism and business education.
After college, she moved to Tallahassee. She worked in state government and higher education. Her first job was as an Executive Secretary. She worked for Representative Gwendolyn Sawyer Cherry. Cherry was the first African American woman in the Florida House of Representatives. Thompson later earned a Master of Science degree in Communication. She received it from Florida State University in 1973.
Career in Education
After her studies, Thompson moved to Orlando. She started working as a teacher. She taught in Orange County Public Schools. After six years, she took a new role. She became the Director of the Equal Opportunity Office. This was at Valencia Community College. She worked there for 24 years. She served as Assistant to the President.
Starting in Politics
In 2002, Thompson first ran for the Florida House of Representatives. She ran for the 39th District. She supported a plan to limit class sizes in schools. She also supported a sales tax increase. This tax would help fund school construction. She did not win this election.
In 2004, she ran for the Florida Senate. She challenged the current State Senator, Gary Siplin. She believed he was not effective enough. She lost this election as well.
Serving in the Florida House
In 2006, Thompson ran for the House again. The person she had run against before, Bruce Antone, was not seeking re-election. Thompson campaigned on important issues. She wanted more affordable housing. She also aimed to improve public transportation. She won this election easily. She was re-elected without opposition in 2008 and 2010.
Serving in the Florida Senate
In 2012, Senator Siplin could not run again due to term limits. Geraldine Thompson decided to run for the Florida Senate once more. She focused on improving public education and creating jobs. She won the election.
When she ran for re-election in 2014, she faced Gary Siplin again. Thompson won by a large margin. She was praised as a "compassionate and capable legislator." She was a strong supporter of public education and health. She won the general election with 63% of the votes.
Later Political Campaigns
In 2015, a new Congressional district was created. Thompson decided to run for Congress in the 10th district. She came in second place in the Democratic primary.
In 2018, Thompson ran for the Florida House of Representatives again. She challenged the Republican state representative, Bobby Olszewski. She won this election.
Florida Supreme Court Challenge
In 2020, Thompson took legal action. She challenged Governor Ron DeSantis's choice for a Florida Supreme Court Justice. She argued that the appointment broke constitutional rules. The court eventually agreed with her. They ordered the governor to choose someone else from the list.
Return to the Florida Senate
In 2022, Thompson ran for the Florida Senate District 15 seat. She won the election.
Death
Geraldine Thompson passed away on February 13, 2025. She was 76 years old. She died in an Orlando hospital due to complications from knee surgery.
