In a dramatic turn of events, LaVon Bracy Davis has emerged victorious in the Democratic primary for a Florida state senate seat, defeating her brother Randolph Bracy in the process.
The siblings’ mother, Lavon Wright Bracy, seemingly took sides in the family rivalry, serving as her daughter’s campaign manager. LaVon Bracy Davis secured 42% of the vote, while her brother trailed behind with 12%.
The seat was previously held by civil rights activist Geraldine Thompson, a close family friend who passed away earlier this year. Thompson’s family endorsed LaVon Bracy Davis, with her mother having been the maid of honor at Thompson’s wedding. On her campaign site, LaVon Bracy Davis positioned herself as the torchbearer for Thompson’s legacy, vowing to continue her work in “justice, progress, and service”.
In contrast, Randolph Bracy’s campaign site highlighted the family’s 30-year legacy of serving central Florida, although notably, it only mentioned their father, not their mother.
When asked about running against his sister, Randolph Bracy expressed his feelings to the Orlando Sentinel, stating it was “disappointing and hurtful” that she decided to enter the primary. LaVon Bracy Davis largely sidestepped discussing the family dynamics.
This isn’t the first time the siblings have clashed politically; LaVon Bracy Davis endorsed Geraldine Thompson when Randolph Bracy ran against her in the Democratic primary earlier this year.
Both siblings have experience serving in the state legislature, with Randolph Bracy having held a different seat in the state senate before running for the US House of Representatives in 2022.
The general election is expected to be a formality, given the district’s strong Democratic leanings. LaVon Bracy Davis will face Republican Willie Montague, and a recent flier circulated by a Republican operative poked fun at the sibling rivalry with the pun “Bracy yourself”. With the district being a Democratic stronghold, LaVon Bracy Davis is likely to win the general election in September.