State Sen. Geraldine Thompson, Orlando teacher who stood up for Black history in Florida, dies

ORLANDO, Fla. – Geraldine Thompson, who represented Orange County in the Florida House and Senate for almost 20 years, died Thursday, according to several lawmakers who worked with Thompson throughout her career.

Thompson, 76, died following complications from knee replacement surgery, according to a statement from the family obtained by our sister station WKMG in Orlando.

“Senator Geraldine Thompson was so much more than a dedicated public servant and visionary leader,” the family’s statement read. “She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother whose love, wisdom, and compassion shaped their lives and the lives of so many in their community and across the state.”

Thompson was a teacher for Orange County Public Schools and worked at Valencia College when she first ran for Florida House. She won her first election in 2006, and over the next 2 decades alternated between serving in the Florida House and Florida Senate, always representing West Orange County.

In the legislature, she advocated for public education and public health. After a tourist died on an International Drive attraction in 2022, she worked to pass a law that strengthened safety standards for amusement rides.

Thompson also fought to save the historic Wells' Built Hotel in the Parramore neighborhood, which was built in 1921 for Black visitors to Orlando who couldn’t stay at white hotels. Thompson turned the hotel into the Wells' Built Museum of African American History and Culture.

Last year, Thompson won a Democratic primary and reelection to Florida Senate District 15.

Democratic lawmakers of all ages lamented her loss on Thursday evening.