Florida State Democratic Senator Geraldine Thompson, 76, passed away on Thursday following complications from knee replacement surgery. A dedicated advocate for education, healthcare, and civil rights,
Thompson was instrumental in founding the Wells’ Built Museum of African American History and Culture in Orlando. She served in the Florida Legislature from 2006 to 2022, notably as vice chair of the Appropriations Committee on Pre-K-12 Education. On the national stage
, Democratic Senators Tina Smith of Minnesota and Gary Peters of Michigan have announced they will not seek re-election in 2026.
Smith cited a desire to spend more time with family, while Peters, after two Senate terms, aims to step aside for new leadership, creating a competitive race for Michigan’s Senate seat.
Thompson’s legacy and the upcoming Senate shifts highlight significant changes in both state and national politics.
