ORLANDO, Fla. — Former U.S. congressman Alan Grayson on Tuesday filed as a Democratic candidate for the redrawn District 10 seat currently held by Val Demings.
What You Need To Know
- Alan Grayson, a former U.S. congressman, has joined the race in District 10
- He will take on at least eight other Democratic candidates
- Florida Sen. Randolph Bracy III and activist Maxwell Alejandro Frost are among the others
- Friday is the deadline to file for the primary election
Grayson, who is an attorney living in Windermere, had been running for the U.S. Senate but switched to the congressional race.
"Someone has to fight for the benefit of ordinary people," Grayson said in his announcement.
Candidates have until Friday to file and qualify in order to be included in a primary election. Florida's primary election is scheduled for Aug. 23.
Eight other candidates already have filed to run in the Democratic primary — including Florida state Sen. Randolph Bracy III, activist Maxwell Alejandro Frost, civil rights attorney Natalie Jackson and Rev. Terence Gray.
The winner of the Democratic primary will face the winner among the Republicans. Willie Montague, a pastor and community advocate who founded nonprofit “House of Timothy,” and Calvin Wimbush, a former Green Beret who identifies himself as an America First Republican, are among the GOP candidates.
Demings is running for the U.S. Senate instead of seeking reelection to the House of Representatives.
Grayson previously served in Congress in 2009-11 and again in 2013-17. He generated controversy for progressive stands on some issues and for working with the Republicans on other issues.