Former US Congressman Alan Grayson.
By Reggie Connell Managing Editor
Alan Grayson is back.
The former three-term US Congressman, known nationally for his fiery speeches, biting wit, and unapologetic progressive policies, is seeking a new seat - this time much closer to home. Grayson is running in the upcoming special election for Florida State Senate District 15, a region that includes most of Orange County and Apopka.
In a wide ranging interview with The Apopka Voice, Grayson spoke about his motivations for re-entering the political arena, his legislative priorities, and the battles he's ready to wage in Tallahassee. And if there's one thing that hasn't changed since his days in Congress, it's his candor.
"There's a tremendous need for someone who actually gives a damn," Grayson said. "I see people suffering, and I see a government that just doesn't care."
He simply does not pull punches.
According to Grayson, Apopka and all of District 15 need someone to get things done.
"There's nobody else in public life in Central Florida who's able to deliver for people that way," he said. "And that's what people deserve."
A political firebrand with national credentials
Grayson is no stranger to the spotlight. During his time in the US House of Representatives representing Florida's 8th and later 9th Congressional Districts, he made headlines for his unorthodox style and aggressive stance against what he called "corporate tyranny" and Republican obstructionism. He famously described the GOP's health care plan as "don't get sick, and if you do, die quickly," a remark that earned both outrage and admiration.
But behind the headlines was a legislator who passed more bills in a single term than any other House member at the time - 121 in all. Grayson emphasizes that effectiveness, not just rhetoric, is what he brought to Washington, DC, and plans to bring to the Florida Senate.
"I know how to write legislation. I know how to build coalitions. I know how to get things done," he said.
A local focus on results
Though Grayson is best known for his federal work, his roots in Central Florida run deep. He's lived in the region for over 30 years and raised five children here. He says his decision to run for state senate isn't about climbing back up the political ladder but protecting this community.
"I'm not interested in symbolism. I'm interested in results. This is a chance to fight for what matters to my neighbors: housing, education, healthcare, and economic opportunity."
Grayson cited the growing affordability crisis as a key concern.
"People can't afford to live here anymore. That's a fundamental failure of public policy."
He wants to push for rent control, more significant investment in affordable housing, and expanded tenant protections.
Grayson, who served three terms in Congress, says his work in Washington delivered tangible results for his constituents, including Apopka. One local example: securing federal earmarks to bring water and sewer to parts of West Orange County.
"That was a huge thing (for Apopka)," he said. "I wish it were bigger. There's only so much money you can put in an earmark, but I strongly believe that life in Apopka would be dramatically improved if everybody had water and sewer."
Infrastructure, especially the basic services like utilities and transportation, remains a sore spot for Grayson.
"My house is worth $1.6 million. We have to pull our water out of a ditch in the ground. What the hell? The idea of water and sewer has been understood for 200 years now."
Grayson says the government's failure to provide the basics, from roads to water, has become a persistent quality-of-life issue. He singled out the region's growing toll costs as an example.
"The tolls are ridiculous. If you want to go anywhere from Apopka, chances are they're going to hit you with a four-buck toll," he said. "The bonds on the 408 were paid off 35 years ago. So it makes no sense."
Apopka and Orange County: Exploited
Grayson's remarks about Apopka weren't just policy-driven—they were personal. He said the community is being overtaxed and underserved, compared to surrounding areas.
"The property taxes are way too high. Just look at Lake County— the taxes are nowhere near as high as they are in Apopka," he said. "Orange County is just a line on a map, but this part of the county is to some degree exploited by the rest of it."
Grayson wants to reorient state spending to focus on outcomes that "hit the ground," such as water infrastructure, road improvements, and public health, especially in cities like Apopka.
"We have to spend our money in different ways. There's plenty of money, it's just not being spent where it helps people."
A fighter for progressive causes
During his interview, Grayson returned again and again to themes of justice and fairness. He described the current state legislature as "an echo chamber for right-wing billionaires" and vowed to serve as a "voice for the people."
His legislative priorities include raising the minimum wage to a livable standard, expanding Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act (something Florida has so far refused to do), and safeguarding reproductive rights.
"It's 2025, and we're still fighting over whether women should control their own bodies. That's not just backwards—it's dangerous."
Grayson also wants to restore voting rights protections and end what he called "the legislature's war on democracy."
"They're afraid of voters, so they're doing everything they can to keep them from the ballot box," he said, referencing recent voting restrictions passed by the Republican-controlled legislature.
Lessons from Washington
Grayson says his time in Congress gave him a unique perspective on politics and why so little seems to get done. He described both parties as being too often beholden to corporate donors and lobbyists, which he believes has eroded trust in government.
"I was the only member of Congress who refused corporate PAC money," he said. "And I'll do the same in this race."
He also sees the dysfunction at the federal level making its way into Florida politics.
"We're not just seeing incompetence, we're seeing cruelty as a policy choice.”
Still, Grayson believes his experience navigating Washington's gridlock will help him be an effective voice in Tallahassee, even in the minority.
"You can't make a difference if you're afraid to speak up," he said. "And I've never had that problem. If you want someone who will smile, nod, and take marching orders—vote for someone else," he said. "If you want someone who will fight like hell for you, I'm your guy."
Housing and Insurance: "Solvable Problems"
Grayson says Apopka residents, like many Floridians, are being squeezed by the soaring cost of housing and homeowners insurance—problems he believes are entirely fixable with the right leadership.
"The rent is too damn high," he said. "But it's not just renters. Homeowners are also getting slammed on interest, taxes, and insurance. These are all solvable problems."
On insurance, he is especially critical of Citizens, the state-run insurer.
"They made $800 in profit last year on my policy. What is the point of a government-run insurance company making a profit at all? That's not helping pull down rates. That's increasing them."
Replacing educators with ideologues in public schools
Education is also a priority for Grayson, who criticized what he sees as Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' politicization of schools and universities.
"We're replacing educators with ideologues," he said. "The students are losing, the teachers are demoralized, and the parents are being manipulated."
Though Grayson has represented Orlando and surrounding areas in Congress, he's turned much of his focus now to local systems—including schools, which he says are being left behind.
"There were seven schools in Orlando that were slated to close and I got the additional funding to keep them open," he said of his time in Congress. "I felt that there were 700,000 people counting on me to do something useful for them."
He worries that the state legislature has "no sense of the common good anymore," and says too many lawmakers are "amusing themselves at our expense."
"These people are just goofing on all of us in the worst way possible. The result is that our quality of life goes down. Entire generations end up with poor schooling, poor health, limited in all these avoidable ways."
A health and healthcare crisis in Florida
He's especially concerned about public health.
"Our life expectancy is in the toilet. We have many people in this state who can't work anymore because they're too sick."
He blames former Governor Rick Scott for gutting the state's health system and says the legislature's refusal to expand Medicaid has harmed working families.
"We said no to $70 billion of health care in the Obamacare bill. That's not just bad policy, it's cruel."
Performance in office matters
The June 24th Democratic primary is a four-candidate race, pitting Grayson against Randolph Bracey, Lavon Bracey-Davis, and Coretta Anthony-Smith. But Grayson believes there is a fundamental difference between them - performance.
"I'm literally the only person who has ever gotten anything useful done while in office, or ever will," he said.
He also thinks his legislative experience will carry over into legislation. Despite a Republican supermajority in Tallahassee, Grayson says he knows how to work across the aisle. He passed 121 bills in Congress in just four years - most with Republican support.
"I had to win 35 Republican votes on every single bill. And I did it. I did that 121 times."
“You're not voting for me”
Grayson says his campaign isn't about him—it's about restoring government to what it should be.
"You're not voting for me. You're voting for you," he said. "This is a way that you can make your life better."
For voters in Apopka, his message is clear. If you're tired of waiting on politicians who overpromise and under-deliver, Grayson says he's the one candidate with a track record and the will to do something about it.
Grayson is many things: a former congressman, a progressive firebrand, a polarizing figure. But as he looks toward the Florida State Senate, he's making one thing clear - he isn't done yet.
For more information on Grayson visit his campaign website.
*****
The primary for the Florida Senate District 15 special election is Tuesday, June 24th, 2025. This election will determine the Democratic nominee.
Key Dates and Deadlines
- Voter Registration Deadline: Tuesday, May 27th, 2025
- Vote-by-Mail Ballot Request Deadline: Thursday, June 12th, 2025
- Mandatory Early Voting Period: Saturday, June 14th – Saturday, June 21st, 2025
The general election for SD-15 is Tuesday, September 2nd, 2025.
Key Dates and Deadlines
- Voter Registration Deadline: Monday, August 4th, 2025
- Vote-by-Mail Ballot Request Deadline: Thursday, August 21st, 2025
- Mandatory Early Voting Period: Saturday, August 23rd – Saturday, August 30th, 2025
