Orlando, FL — In a heartfelt announcement today, Coretta Anthony-Smith officially declared her candidacy to represent Florida Senate District 15, a seat left vacant following the passing of longtime lawmaker and community champion, Senator Geraldine Thompson.
“Let me be clear — Senator Geraldine Thompson is a tough act to follow,” Anthony-Smith said. “She was one of the greats. She was a servant throughout her entire career. Our community loved her dearly and will never forget the work she has done for us.”
Acknowledging the significance of the moment and the legacy she hopes to honor, Anthony-Smith expressed her readiness to step into the role with purpose and focus. “In this race, we have to tune out the drama and the distractions and focus on the issues,” she said. “Pine Hills, Washington Shores, Historic Parramore, Winter Garden, Ocoee, Gotha, parts of Oakland, the Dr. Phillips area, Historic Eatonville and Apopka residents are struggling to get the kind of public safety, affordable housing and affordable homeowner’s insurance that residents need to live comfortably. That’s what we need to focus on.”
A Life Shaped by Adversity, Service, and Advocacy
A proud native of Florida, Anthony-Smith’s life has been marked by personal loss and profound resilience. After losing her mother to a drunk driver at the age of seven and her father to cancer at sixteen, she was raised by her grandmother, who instilled in her the values of strength, justice, and unwavering faith in community.
Anthony-Smith earned her undergraduate degree from Georgetown University before attending the University of Florida Levin College of Law. Her legal career began in prestigious firms across the state, but it was in 2007 that she founded her own law practice in Orlando, where she has become known for her commitment to justice and advocacy on behalf of the underserved.
She now lives in Senate District 15 with her husband, Mert, and their children, deeply rooted in the community she seeks to represent. Her campaign promises a continuation of principled leadership and a bold voice for those whose concerns have too often been overlooked.
As the race to fill the seat unfolds, Coretta Anthony-Smith brings both personal strength and professional experience to the forefront — determined to carry forward the torch left by Senator Thompson, with a focus on equity, opportunity, and community-first solutions.
Read Florida Senator Geraldine Thompson Passes Away
