Randolph Bracy, a candidate in the Democratic primary for Florida Senate District 15, has posted campaign signs around Orange County that say "re-elect" him for the election on June 24.
Bracy previously served as a state senator from 2016 to 2022. He left that position to unsuccessfully run for Congress. Last year, he lost a state Senate bid to Geraldine Thompson, who died in February, creating the current open seat and triggering a special election.
Florida campaign law (F.S. 106.143) states that "no political advertisement of a candidate who is NOT an incumbent of the office for which the candidate is running, shall use the word 're-elect.'"
Dr. Aubrey Jewett, a political expert at the University of Central Florida, told WESH 2 News that the signs appear to violate the law. "He (Bracy) is not the incumbent for this Senate office, and so thus using the term 're-elect' not only seems to violate the law but, the spirit of the law is, you shouldn't run advertising that deceives voters," Jewett said.
Concerns about the signs and the use of "re-elect" have been circulating on social media. WESH 2 News contacted Bracy by phone, and he expressed surprise, saying, "I didn't know that. Thanks for letting me know. I'll change it." He did not specify when the signs would be changed.
Bracy faces three other Democrats in the primary, including his sister, state Rep. LaVon Bracy Davis. In a statement to WESH 2 News, Davis said she had not scrutinized her brother's signs and wished him well.
Alan Grayson, another Democratic candidate in the race and Bracy's opponent in the 2022 congressional contest for District 10, commented on the signs.
"Someone who is running for public office and is looking for the trust of 525,000 should not have to skirt or exaggerate or make things up. It's just sad," Grayson said.
The Florida Election Commission, which could fine Bracy for the signs, has not yet responded to inquiries from WESH 2 News.
The fourth Democrat in the Senate District 15 primary is Coretta Anthony-Smith. The winner of the Democratic primary will face Republican Willie Montague in the Sept. 2 general election.