There are reports that former Orange County Commissioner Linda Stewart will contest the state Senate District 19 seat, currently being held by Sen. Gary Siplin who is being termed out.
Stewart, who was first elected in 2002 to the County Commission, represented District 4 for two terms before running unsuccessfully last year to become Orange County Mayor. Although she came in third, Stewart received a significant portion of the Black vote and will no doubt focus a lot of her campaign on this demographic in her upcoming race.
Stewart has been a long time community activist and a strong advocate for mass transportation, green jobs and energy efficient industries. A passionate environmentalist, she has led several efforts to preserve green spaces and create new parks for the citizens of Orange County.
In the race for state Senate District 19, Stewart will face off against at least two other declared candidates, Victoria Siplin, who is making her first foray into the political arena and State Rep. Geraldine Thompson (District 39), who has been in the Florida Legislature since 2006.
See earlier interview with Linda Stewart and West Orlando News Online Here.
