Florida state Democratic Sen. Geraldine Thompson passed away on Thursday at 76 after complications from knee replacement surgery.

Thompson, a dedicated advocate for education, healthcare, and civil rights, was instrumental in establishing the Wells’Built Museum of African American History and Culture in Orlando. She served in the Florida Legislature from 2006 to 2022, including as vice chair of the Appropriations Committee on Pre-K-12 Education. On the national stage, Democratic Sens. Tina Smith of Minnesota and Gary Peters of Michigan announced they would not seek re-election in 2026. Smith cited family time, while Peters, after two Senate terms, plans to step aside for the next generation, leaving a contested Senate seat in Michigan.