Rep. Geraldine Thompson and Victoria Siplin are virtually even in raising campaign contributions, but that’s where the similarities end.
Siplin, who is new to the political arena is trying to succeed her husband, Gary, in the Orlando-area seat (Florida Senate District 12). She collected $11,295 between July 7 and July 20 and had an overall total of $104,369, according to new campaign-finance reports.
Thompson, meanwhile, has six years of legislative experience under her belt, having served since 2006 in the Florida Legislature. She collected $8,270 during the period and had a total of $103,527.
Prior to being elected to the Legislature, Thompson served for 24 years as an administrator at Valencia College and 6 years in the Orange County Public School system in the classroom.
Thompson, in an exclusive interview with West Orlando News Online recently said, she is the only true Democratic in the race.
“My opponent (Siplin) is registered as a Democrat, and is running as a Democrat, but who owns a company, called Ushindi which was paid money by the Tea Party and Republican groups to fight against other Democrats, to fight against the election of more Democrats in the State of Florida,” she said.”When the whole “Fair Districts” amendments were being considered that would have stopped gerrymandering, allowing more Democrats to be elected, Ushindi was being paid money by the Republican Party, by the Tea Party, to fight against that.”
Thompson and Siplin will face off in a Democratic primary on August 14, 2012.
