2 days ago
LaVon Bracy Davis, RaShon Young win Democratic primaries in special legislative election
LaVon Bracy Davis is one step closer to succeeding her mentor Geraldine Thompson after the sophomore lawmaker won the Democratic nomination for state Senate in Tuesday's special election.
Bracy Davis' chief of staff, RaShon Young, also won his special Democratic primary to fill the state House seat she is vacating.
The battle to succeed Thompson, a political icon in Central Florida who died in February just months after her reelection, drew some high-profile Democratic names including both Bracy Davis and her brother Randolph Bracy, a former state senator.
Former congressman Alan Grayson also made his latest bid to return to office, and personal injury attorney Coretta Anthony-Smith, a political newcomer, made a strong showing.
Bracy Davis took in nearly 43% of the vote in the special primary, with Anthony-Smith second with about 28%, Grayson in third with about 17%, and Bracy in last with just over 12%.
'I am humbled and honored to have earned the trust and support of the people of Senate District 15,' Bracy Davis said in a statement.
'I recognize that I am standing on the shoulders of the greats who came before me—especially my mentor, the late Sen. Geraldine F. Thompson,' she said. 'I promise to carry forward her legacy with integrity, courage, and a deep commitment to justice.'
Bracy Davis will face Republican Willie Montague in the Sept. 2 special general election. The district, which includes parts of Orlando, Ocoee, Apopka and Winter Garden, leans Democratic with no GOP candidates having vied for the seat in 2022 and 2024.
Young defeated former state Rep. Travaris McCurdy with more than 55% of the vote. He will face Republican Tuan Le and write-in candidate Christopher Hall of Tallahassee in the Sept. 2 general election.
'This victory is what constant commitment to leadership and to the people looks like,' Young said in a statement. 'From day one, this campaign was about lifting voices, fighting for justice, and standing in the gap for those too often left behind.'
Young added he was 'deeply grateful' to Bracy Davis, 'who not only poured into me as a mentor, but walked alongside me as a champion for this community.'
House District 40, which includes parts of west Orlando and Pine Hills, is also a heavily Democratic seat, with Bracy Davis getting 65% and 68% of the vote in her two House wins in 2022 and 2024.
The family rivalry between Bracy Davis and her brother was one of the biggest stories of the Senate election, with Bracy — who jumped into the race within days of Thompson's death — saying his sister's bid 'dishonors' their late father, the Rev. Randolph Bracy Jr., 'in every way possible.'
Bracy Davis, who was notably endorsed by their mother, civil rights activist LaVon Bracy, consistently said she wasn't running 'against' anyone.
On Tuesday, she dedicated her victory to her father. 'I feel his presence in every step I take and every decision I make,' she said. 'His example continues to guide me, and tonight's victory is as much his as it is mine.'
The last campaign finance reports filed before the election showed that tens of thousands of dollars had poured into the Senate race this month.
Bracy Davis, who as an incumbent lawmaker was barred from raising funds during the extended legislative session, raised more than $50,000 in just three days between the end of session on June 16 and her campaign filing on Thursday. A political committee she chairs, Liberated by Democracy, raised $7,500 earlier this year.
Anthony-Smith raised nearly $60,000 and loaned her campaign $175,000, while Grayson's filing last week showed he loaned his campaign more than $242,000, most of it in June. Bracy did not file a report last week, and earlier filings showed he raised about $3,000 and loaned himself another $6,000.
In their race, Young took in $42,000 to McCurdy's $8,000 as of Thursday.
