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Long time environmental champion hands off legislation to Sen. Evelyn Lynn
TALLAHASSEE – His tenure in the state Senate may be ending, but his battle to repeal the legislature’s latest fee mandate on almost 3 million Floridians will continue, thanks to Senator Evelyn Lynn (R-Daytona Beach), Senate Democratic Leader Al Lawson (D-Tallahassee) announced Thursday. … Continue Reading
TALLAHASSEE - Frustrated by the inability of local Gulf Coast fishermen to recoup financial losses because of a complicated and cumbersome claims process, Senate Democratic Leader Al Lawson (D-Tallahassee) today will lead a group of those fishermen into the governor’s office to meet with Governor Charlie Crist. … Continue Reading
Lawson Joins Group of Democratic Lawmakers Including Senator-Elect Maria Sachs, Representative Ari Porth, and Representative Darryl Rouson Supporting Crist
TALLAHASSEE – State Senate Democratic Leader Al Lawson today endorsed Governor Charlie Crist for the United States Senate. Lawson joins other Democratic lawmakers—Senator Maria Sachs, Representative Ari Porth, and Representative Darryl Rouson—in supporting Crist. The endorsement comes on the same day polling shows the election for the U.S. Senate to be a two-candidate race.
“Florida desperately needs an independent Senator in Washington who will fight for good jobs and economic opportunity, a quality education for every child, and Social Security for all of our seniors regardless of what the political party bosses want,” said Senator Lawson. “Charlie Crist will be exactly that Senator, and I am proud to endorse his candidacy.”
“I am honored by the support of Senate Democratic Leader Al Lawson,” said Governor Crist. “Senator Lawson has been a champion for working families for his entire career, whether it be fighting for jobs, the environment, or good schools. I look forward to working with him when I’m elected to the United States Senate.”
Al Lawson was first elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 1982, where he served for 18 years before his election to the Florida Senate. Lawson was most recently reelected in 2006 to serve the people of Senate District 6, which includes eleven counties of the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend areas. The district is comprised of Bay, Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Jackson, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Madison and Wakulla Counties.
Senator Lawson is currently the Senate Minority (Democratic) Leader in the Florida Senate, and as the longest serving member of the Florida Legislature, holds the unofficial title of “Dean of the Legislature.” In 1986, Lawson served as the Majority Whip in the Florida House of Representatives.
Senator Al Lawson was born in Midway, Florida where he lived in a modest home with his mother, father and five siblings. As a 4th generation Floridian, Al Lawson’s roots run deep in the Sunshine State. Raised in a rural community, Lawson learned the value of community and hard work, first working in the tobacco fields of Gadsden County at age eight.
As an athletic standout, Lawson graduated from Havana Northside High School and went on to become a basketball star at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU). After a brief stint as a professional basketball player, Lawson returned home to North Florida to serve as an Assistant Coach for the FSU Seminole basketball team. Lawson’s high mark as an Assistant Coach was when the Seminoles challenged the UCLA Bruins led by legendary coach John Wooden in the final game of the 1972 NCAA Basketball Tournament.
Senator Al Lawson has been a small business owner in the Big Bend area for over 30 years. He married his college sweetheart, Delores Brooks. They have two adult children, Alfred III and Shani, and two grandchildren, Kobe and Samuel. Lawson is an active member of St. Michael’s and All Angels Episcopal Church.
With the election now behind us, I would like to extend a heartfelt THANK YOU to all of my campaign supporters and volunteers! On behalf of my wife Delores and our entire family, I cannot thank you enough for all that you did to assist my candidacy. And although we were not victorious on Tuesday, I consider our campaign a success.
This was a hard fought campaign. Everyone affiliated with our team should hold their heads high. We ran a great race! We didn’t have the money, and we didn’t have the establishment endorsements. We ran a campaign the old fashioned way – with sweat and shoe leather. We were outspent in this race by about 12-to-1 and came within 2,400 votes of over 80,000 cast. And most importantly, my campaign never ran a negative ad on television, radio or in the mail! I am enormously proud of what we accomplished, and you should be proud as well!
I have spoken with my primary opponent Allen Boyd and congratulated him on his victory. I told Congressman Boyd that my commitment has always been first to North Florida, and I wish him the best of luck in November.
I see Tuesday night’s results as a minor setback. I have spent the past 28-years serving the people of North Florida, and my service will continue. The end of this campaign signals the beginning of a new chapter. The book of my service to North Florida is definitely not closed.
Again, thank you for all your support! I will never forget the hard work of my supporters and volunteers.
Sincerely,
Al
Contributions to the Al Lawson for Congress Campaign are not deductible for federal income tax purposes. The maximum contribution for individuals is $2,400 per election per person. Contributions must be made with personal funds in your name only, and may not be reimbursed or paid by another person. Contributions by corporations, labor unions, national banks, federal contractors, and non-U.S. citizens who are not lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the U.S. are prohibited.
It’s Election Day! If you haven’t yet voted early, please go to your local precinct and cast a ballot. Make your voice heard and VOTE in today’s election!
The right to vote is one of the most important and sacred of our rights as citizens. America is a nation governed by the people, but this requires the voters making their voices heard. It’s up to you to make a difference. It’s up to you to vote!
I am honored to have been given the chance to serve you in the Florida Legislature. From the time I was first elected, I have considered myself a lucky man to have the opportunity to serve the people of North Florida. I wish to continue that service, and I hope to have the chance to serve you in Congress.
I ask for your support today, and I humbly ask for your vote!
If you’re not sure where to vote, that’s OK. You can go to your local Supervisor of Elections office and find your polling place.
Together, we will win back our seat in Congress for the people of North Florida!
Sincerely,
Al
P.S. – Go to your local Supervisor of Elections office to find your polling place. Together, we will make a difference. I ask for your support, and I humbly ask for your vote!
It’s Election Day tomorrow, and we’re prepared for victory! I can’t thank you enough – my supporters and volunteers. It is because of you that we are going to win this Election!
We are having an Election Day Victory Party and you’re invited! Please join us at our campaign headquarters to watch the election results roll in. Food and beverages will be provided.
WHEN: Tuesday, August 24th at 7:00 PM
WHERE: Campaign Headquarters, 225 E. Jennings St. in Tallahassee
Let’s win back our seat in Congress for the people of North Florida!
Sincerely,
Al
P.S. – Thank you for all your support during our campaign for Congress! I hope you will join us tomorrow night at the campaign headquarters for our Victory Party!
Decries gift to industry at expense of Florida’s springs
TALLAHASSEE – Warning that over 2.3 million Florida property owners, along with anyone else attempting to sell their homes with septic systems could be in for a sticker shock of up to $14,000, Senate Democratic Leader Al Lawson (D-Tallahassee) on Wednesday renewed his call on the governor to halt his agency’s implementation of the Legislature’s latest stealth fee. … Continue Reading
Today, we celebrate the 75th birthday of Social Security!
Social Security is one of the most successful social programs in the history of our nation. It has created a safety net for our senior citizens and allows countless Americans to retire with dignity. Join me today in pledging our support for this vital program and standing against any effort to privatize Social Security.
Over the past 75 years, Social Security has provided benefits to millions of Americans. In addition to retirement benefits for our senior citizens, Social Security’s supplemental programs have provided assistance to orphaned children and disabled Americans.
And the most important point to note is that Social Security is fiscally responsible. Since it was enacted in 1935, Social Security has never missed a scheduled payment to its beneficiaries and has never contributed to the federal deficit. The program pays for itself while taking care of our most vulnerable citizens.
But not everyone in Congress supports Social Security.
My opponent, 14-year Congressman Allen Boyd, opposes Social Security and was the only Democratic member of Congress to stand with George W. Bush when he tried to privatize the successful program. The bill, which Boyd cosponsored, would have steered public money from Social Security into risky, private Wall Street accounts.
Boyd’s bill was filed in 2005 – before the economy declined and the stock market crashed. Can you imagine the fiscal mess facing our nation if Bush and Boyd had been successful in steering our hard-earned tax dollars into Wall Street accounts?
Again, join me in celebrating the 75th birthday of one of America’s most successful social programs – SOCIAL SECURITY. And together, let’s continue to fight for this important social contract with America’s senior citizens.
Sincerely,
Al
P.S. – Join me in supporting America’s senior citizens and opposing Congressman Boyd’s radical plan to privatize Social Security!
On this Friday the 13th, we are reminded of 14-year Congressman Allen Boyd’s very scary record in Washington. Boyd’s blind allegiance to the big special interests is absolutely terrifying!
Many citizens have voiced their concerns about Congressman Boyd’s special interest record.
SOCIAL SECURITY
Congressman Allen Boyd was the only Democrat in Congress to stand with George W. Bush in his push to privatize Social Security. As a Blue Dog Democrat who enjoys widespread support from Wall Street interests, Boyd cosponsored legislation that would have steered public money into Wall Street accounts. Boyd’s bill was filed prior to the economic recession.
TALLAHASSEE – Senate Democratic Leader Al Lawson (D-Tallahassee), a passionate defender of the environment, is now on a mission to protect hundreds of thousands of Florida taxpayers about to be on an expensive hook because of legislation sold as critical to defending the state’s springs. … Continue Reading
With 20 days until Election Day, momentum continues to build in our campaign. Thanks to supporters like you, we will be victorious on August 24th!
Last night, the ABC-affiliate in Panama City held a forum with all primary election candidates, and it was a huge success. The event was bipartisan, so I had the chance to debate my Republican opponents and lay out a positive agenda for the future.
Not surprisingly, Congressman Allen Boyd refused to appear. After 14 long years in Congress, Boyd has totally lost touch with North Florida. He’s reached the point where as long as the special interests keep writing him checks, he doesn’t think he needs to be accountable to the people. Not only has Allen Boyd forgotten North Florida, but he’s apparently also forgotten where North Florida is located.
North Florida deserves a Congressman who will listen. When we win this election on August 24th, that is exactly what the people will get.
Tonight is the end of the current fundraising quarter, so make a contribution by midnight tonight to make a difference in this election.
Sincerely,
Al
P.S. – Tonight the books close for the past quarter. Go online and make a contribution. Together, we can win back our seat in Congress for the people of North Florida!
Over the past few weeks, 14-year Congressman Allen Boyd has been trumpeting his support of the environment. He has bragged about taking on BP following the oil spill and said he is opposed to offshore oil drilling.
Well if you believe that, I have some oceanfront property in downtown Tallahassee I would like to sell you.
Big oil interests have had no greater friend in Congress than Allen Boyd!
Allen Boyd consistently stood with the Sarah Palins of the world and chanted Drill, Baby, Drill. He supported oil drilling off of Florida’s coast and even voted for legislation that opened up federal waters to drilling like that at the Deep Horizon rig.
And now we have learned that Congressman Boyd accepted campaign money from a BP lobbyist!
We need to stand up to the Big Oil Companies and their cronies in Congress. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!
Join our team today and make a contribution. Together we will send a message to the oil companies like BP – our Congress is no longer for sale.
Sincerely,
Al
P.S. – Congressman Boyd has supported oil drilling, voted for oil drilling, taken big oil money and even accepted campaign cash from a BP lobbyist. Join our team with a small contribution and let’s send a message to the big oil companies. Our Congress is not for sale!
This week, the Florida Legislature met in Tallahassee intending to place a constitutional amendment on the November ballot banning offshore oil drilling. The Big Oil companies and their cronies opposed our effort. Guess who won …
The Florida House adjourned after only 20 minutes and the Senate did the same a few minutes later. The Big Oil companies who desperately want to drill in Florida’s waters were successful. But I stood with the people of Florida and opposed Big Oil. I wanted a constitutional amendment on the ballot so the voters of our state can have a choice as to whether we will be a state reliant on oil drilling or a state that continues to treasure our beaches.
In the August 24th election, you can choose where you stand on oil drilling.
My opponent, 14-year Congressman Allen Boyd, was until recently a proud member of the “Drill, Baby, Drill” crowd. Not only did he stand with the likes of Sarah Palin, Michele Bachman and others beholden to the big oil companies, but he actually voted for offshore oil drilling which allowed rigs like the one that exploded in the Gulf this past April. This shouldn’t come as a surprise considering Allen Boyd raised money from a BP lobbyist and consistently said he supported oil drilling.
I’m opposed to oil drilling, and I always have been. I stood up to the oil companies when they tried to open up Florida’s waters to oil drilling, and I will continue to stand up for you in Congress.
Send a message to the Big Oil companies and their lackey Allen Boyd. Make a contribution and join our campaign today. Together we can take our Congress back from the special interests and Big Oil companies.
Sincerely,
Al
P.S. – Let’s take the fight to the special interests in Washington, and let’s send a message to their allies in Congress. Make a contribution today, and together we’ll take back Congress for the people of North Florida.
TALLAHASSEE – Senate Democratic Leader Al Lawson (D-Tallahassee) announced on Monday the filing of legislation crafted to deliver immediate relief to oystermen and others whose livelihoods depend on fishing in the Gulf of Mexico.
“We don’t need a group of lawmakers leisurely sitting around a table for the next four weeks dreaming up fixes to the economic disaster unleashed from BP’s oil spill,” Senator Lawson said. “These are immediate relief measures that keep our people working while Tallahassee ponders its next move. I urge the Republican leadership to embrace this urgently needed legislation during the current special session.” … Continue Reading
Dear Capital Soup,
It has been an exciting couple of weeks. In addition to the countless number of volunteers who have been helping us knock doors and make phone calls, we’re received two huge endorsements!
Two weeks ago, our campaign received the endorsement of Corrections U.S.A. (CUSA), the largest national organization of correctional officers. In Florida’s 2nd Congressional District, the men and women who work at our correctional institutions are an important part of our community. I am honored and fortunate to have the support of CUSA. … Continue Reading
As we stand together as Americans this weekend to celebrate our nation’s independence, allow me to extend a sincere Happy 4th of July to you and your family! It is today that we as a country can set aside our differences and come together as Americans, dedicated to liberty and freedom for all. … Continue Reading
Town Hall “Up Close and Personal” Meeting to follow Thursday between Gulf Coast Residents and BP
PENSACOLA – Following his participation in Wednesday’s Gulf Oil Spill Economic Recovery Task Force in Pensacola, Senate Democratic Leader Al Lawson (D-Tallahassee) will be heading to the beach to view firsthand the area impacted by the BP oil onslaught devastating local fishermen and other small businesses. The walking tour will also stop at the Mobile Action Command Unit of the Small Business Development Center, where the Senator will meet with leaders of the small business community. … Continue Reading
Today is the last day of the fundraising quarter, and we are doing extremely well. Many of you have responded to our previous emails and made a small contribution. For that, I thank you! Together, we are going to win this election.
If you have not yet made a contribution, don’t worry. You have until midnight tonight to get it in before the end of the fundraising quarter. Please go online and make a small contribution of $25, $50 or $100 today so we can get our message of good government out to the people of North Florida.
As you know, I’m running against a 14-year Blue Dog Congressman who is raising tons of special interest money for this election. In fact, the local newspaper reported that Congressman Allen Boyd is the PAC-man, raising most of his money from special interest PACs from Washington.
I’m raising my money from real people. And that’s the way I want it. The big Washington interests can stick with their candidate, Allen Boyd. I want your support.
We are on our way. Your contribution today can make the difference in our campaign.
Sincerely,
Al
P.S. – Join our team by midnight tonight and make a contribution. Together, we will win back Congress for the people.
TALLAHASSEE – Fed up at the snail’s pace with which Gulf Coast fishermen and others impacted by the devastating BP oil spill are receiving financial compensation from the oil giant, Senate Democratic Leader Al Lawson (D-Tallahassee) this Thursday has organized a special town hall meeting. The forum will enable impacted residents to have an up close and personal meeting with BP to speed up their claims process. Senator Lawson has arranged for BP company officials, as well as their claims adjusters to be on hand to directly assist impacted Gulf Coast businesses and residents in the recovery process. … Continue Reading
Dear Capital Soup,
Today, I have the honor of announcing Corrections U.S.A. (CUSA), the largest national organization of correctional officers, has endorsed my campaign for Congress.
This endorsement is very important to me. Over the past 28 years, I have represented North Florida in the Florida Legislature, and in my district, I have represented a large number of correctional officers and their families. I have great admiration for the work they do and hold a sincere appreciation for the fact they work hard to keep our communities and our families safe. … Continue Reading
