Dems Gold, Thompson vie for House District 44
The race for a Central Florida state House seat is a second chance for the Democratic Party to win a blue-leaning district after their self-described “fiasco” in 2017, when the party ended up with a candidate without his name on the ballot.
Incumbent Republican state Rep. Bobby Olszewski won the October 2017 special election in District 44, which includes Winter Garden, Windermere and Oakland.
Though Republicans slightly outnumber Democrats, 35 to 32 percent, the district was won by Hillary Clinton in 2016.
Eddy Dominguez, the Democrats’ last-minute candidate, kept it close after the party’s original candidate, Paul Chandler, dropped out after the ballot printing deadline. A lawsuit had questioned Chandler’s eligibility because he voted in Missouri in 2016.
This year, two Democratic candidates are looking to take on Olszewski, who is unopposed in his primary.
Who they are
■ Margaret “Melanie” Gold, 53, of the MetroWest neighborhood of Orange County, is a former stockbroker and a progressive advocate who founded the group Challenge Politics.
■ Geraldine Thompson, 69, of the Gotha-Windermere area, served three terms in the state House and two terms in the state Senate representing western Orange County. Where they stand
Gold said the top two issues she hears from residents when campaigning door-to-door are education and health care.
“Parents want to know
that their children are safe at school,” she said, “and universally, there is a feeling that high-stakes testing is not providing the desired outcomes. Teachers at traditional public schools need to be given the resources and flexibility to do their job.”
Gold also said residents were concerned “any gains made in health care coverage are now being undermined, without any plan on how to lower costs or provide increased access.”
Thompson said the biggest issues in District 44 are growth and economic development.
“While we have to maintain growth, we also have to make sure we have the resources needed to support growth — water, clean energy, schools, roads, transportation,” she said.
Thompson also said while much of the district is
affluent, “there are areas where we really need to make sure we’re giving people opportunities and allowing them to share in the prosperity coming to District 44.” Where they differ
Gold, calling herself “a businesswoman and a fearless advocate,” said, “there is an overwhelming feeling across party lines that our government is broken.”
“People are tired of politics as usual,” she said, “and people want fresh people who bring a different perspective. I am not a politician, but I do understand how policy impacts business and the economy which makes me the perfect candidate for my district.”
Thompson said what distinguishes her from Gold is her time in the state House and Senate, including serving on committees overseeing transportation, tourism and community affairs.
She said she’s worked well with west Orange mayors and municipalities, citing her work in the Senate to secure millions in grant money to convert Oakland’s septic tank system to a connected sewer system.
Thompson also said she can reach across party lines, citing endorsements from Republicans including Oakland Mayor Kathy Stark, Ocoee Mayor Rusty Johnson and former county Commissioner Scott Boyd.
The Democratic primary for District 44 is Aug. 28. Early voting in Orange County begins Aug. 17.