With a Republican incumbent in jeopardy due to redistricting, Florida Sen. Geri Thompson, D-Orlando, is considering a run for Congress in 2016. Thompson said Saturday she was thinking of running against U.S. Rep. Dan Webster, R-Fla., next year and has talked to key Democratic officials, including Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Allison Tant.
The Florida Legislature kicked off a special session today to focus on congressional redistricting. Last month, the Florida Supreme Court ruled that the current districts violate the state Constitution.
Under the base map released by the Legislature last week, Webster would be facing a dramatically changed district. Democrat Val Demings, a former Orlando police chief, almost knocked off Webster in 2012 and Democrats’ chances improve considerably if the base map goes through. Webster currently represents parts of Orange and Polk counties and most of Lake County. Under the base map, this district would be far more Democratic, taking in only parts of Orange County.
Thompson said Saturday she was considering running against Webster in 2012, but was finishing up treatment in her fight against breast cancer and decided not to run, instead running for the closer-to-home Florida Senate seat.
“There is nothing part-time about my work in the Florida Senate,” Thompson said. “I’m an eight-year survivor. I’ve been given a clean bill of health. My stamina and energy are high. I’m ready for the challenge of Congress.”
Thompson noted that the Legislature will be meeting in another special session in October and November to redo the state Senate lines and that could impact her decision.
“Since the Florida Senate maps will be redrawn, I may have to run in 2016,” Thompson said. “If I have to run, why not aim for the next level of my legislative service?”
Before her time in the Senate, Thompson served three terms in the Florida House, first winning a seat in 2006 and spending two years as Democratic leader pro tempore. While she has had some impressive wins in recent years -- routing former Sen. Gary Siplin in last year’s primary -- Thompson has a few losses on her resume, including a House bid in 2002 and Senate bid in 2004.
Thompson could have competition in the primary, as Demings is considering taking another shot at Webster. Earlier this year, Webster challenged U.S. House Speaker John Boehner, R-Fla., for the gavel but came up short. Boehner kicked Webster off the Rules Committee and leadership is not expected to offer the Florida congressman much in the way of support in 2016.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
