Endorsement: Geraldine Thompson’s a devoted public servant who earned another term in state House District 44

Orlando Sentinel (FL)

Geraldine Thompson was in the news recently. Not in her capacity as a member of the Florida House but in her capacity as a Floridian who believes the state’s governor should follow the state’s constitution.

Thompson filed a lawsuit challenging Gov. Ron DeSantis' appointment of a new Florida Supreme Court justice who wasn’t qualified under the Florida Constitution. Her case went to the Supreme Court, which ruled unanimously that DeSantis had, in fact, violated the constitution with his appointment.

Score one for Thompson, a fearless Democratic lawmaker who’s served in the state Senate and now in the House, and who deserves another term serving District 44.

Thompson is right on many of the issues this Editorial Board cares about: Expanding Medicaid so more people who don’t make a living wage can afford health insurance. Allowing local governments to govern without the nanny state finding new ways to bend cities and counties to their will. And improving unemployment benefits so people who lose their jobs through no fault of their own aren’t ruined while they search for work.

In fact, she’s one of the few candidates running who was in the Legislature in 2011 and isn’t trying to walk back their support of the Rick Scott-led overhaul of the unemployment system. Thompson voted against it then as a House member.

Thompson’s Republican opponent is Bruno Portigliatti, who runs an assisted living facility in Orlando and is president of a private Christian university.

We didn’t recommend Portigliatti in the Republican primary because his positions were so doctrinaire. For example, his website says this about taxes: “The government should only collect enough tax to meet the requirements for its essential functions, which include maintenance of national security and basic infrastructure and protection of the citizens against criminals.”

Considering national security is a federal function, his written statement of belief still boils down to Florida paying for roads and law enforcement and that’s it.

In an interview, he tried to sand down those sharp edges, saying, “We do have to have programs in place to protect people.”

He doesn’t have any interest in expanding Medicaid, oddly contending people need the “dignity of private insurance,” as if current recipients lack dignity. The problem is, many people don’t qualify for Medicaid and can’t afford private insurance. On unemployment, he seems genuinely outraged at its shortcomings but would only commit to “look at” increasing the maximum weekly benefit, which is $275. That’s not a commitment, that’s an escape hatch.

Thompson has been an able and passionate representative of her southwest Orange County House district. Given her competition, there’s no reason for voters to change directions.

Election endorsements are the opinion of the Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, which consists of Opinion Editor Mike Lafferty, Jennifer A. Marcial Ocasio, Jay Reddick, David Whitley and Editor-in-Chief Julie Anderson. Sentinel Columnist Scott Maxwell participates in interviews and deliberations. Send emails to insight@orlandosentinel.com. Watch interviews with these and other candidates at OrlandoSentinel.com/interviews.

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