for the Senate if he loses, noted, "I have not made a decision about that, but I fully expect to win in 2014." He faced George Sheldon, who had most recently served as the Assistant Secretary for the Administration for Children and Families in the United States Department of Health and Human Services, in the Democratic primary. Thurston campaigned on his support for protecting consumers, expanding individual rights, and increasing government oversight, specifically criticizing Bondi for her opposition to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the restoration of felons' civil rights, medical marijuana, and marriage equality. He argued, "There would have been a time when she would have defended the fact that I couldn't get married to [some women] because we're not of the same race." Despite the fact that neither Thurston nor Sheldon raised very much money in the primary, Thurston emphasized his support for voting rights and his opposition to suing President Barack Obama in radio advertisements that he aired targeting African-American voters. Ultimately, Sheldon defeated Thurston handily in the primary, winning 61% of the vote to Thurston's 39%. Florida Senate In 2016, Thurston ran for the Florida Senate seat vacated by Chris Smith, who was term-limited. He was elected without primary or general election opposition. Thurston was scheduled to succeed Gary Farmer as minority leader of the Florida Senate in the 2022–2024 legislative session. With Thurston announcing a run for Congress in the special election for Alcee Hastings's seat, Democrats chose Lauren Book to lead Senate Democrats in Tallahassee. Due to Florida's resign to run laws, Thurston will be forced to resign from the Florida Senate in order to run for Congress. On July 27, 2021, Thurston announced his resignation from the Florida Senate, effective January 10, 2022. 2022 congressional special election After incumbent Representative Alcee Hastings died of pancreatic cancer, Thurston announced that he would run to succeed him in a special election. References External links Florida Senate - Perry E. Thurston Jr. Florida House of Representatives - Perry E. Thurston Jr. (archived) Campaign website |- |- |- 1961 births Living people Democratic Party Florida state senators Democratic Party members of the Florida House of Representatives 21st-century American politicians People from Pompano Beach, Florida Morehouse College alumni University of Miami School of Law alumni African-American state legislators in Florida 21st-century African-American politicians 20th-century African-American people Candidates in the 2021 United States elections