Another Republican Jumps in to Challenge Geri Thompson

Edward DeAguilera of Windermere filed to run for the Republican nomination to challenge Sen. Geri Thompson, D-Orlando, on Thursday. While this is a fairly solid district for Democrats, DeAguilera has an interesting story. He runs the Sandra DeAguilera Project which helps raise funds for organizations helping women and children. The project was named after his sister who died, possibly from abuse, while pregnant. The director of development and community partnerships of the Down Syndrome Association of Central Florida, DeAguilera is also well-known in the community for his work with the Hispanic Health Initiative Fund which helps women with breast cancer.

Having moved up from the House to the Senate after a bitter primary against Victoria Siplin last year, Thompson filed to run for another term back in January. As of March 31, she had $18,650 in the bank.

DeAguilera does not have an open shot at Thompson. Accountant Fritz Jackson Seide filed to enter the race as a Republican in January, hoping for a rematch with Thompson. Back in November, Thompson routed him at the polls, taking 69 percent of the vote.