Al Lawson: Difference between revisions

Al Lawson
Al Lawson
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives; from Florida's 5th district
	In office; January 3, 2017 – January 3, 2023
Preceded by	Corrine Brown
Succeeded by	John Rutherford
Minority Leader of the Florida Senate
	In office; 2008–2010
Preceded by	Steven Geller
Succeeded by	Nan Rich
Member of the Florida Senate
	In office; November 7, 2000 – November 2, 2010
Preceded by	Pat Thomas
Succeeded by	Bill Montford
Constituency	3rd district (2000–02); 6th district (2002–10)
Member of the; Florida House of Representatives
	In office; November 7, 1982 – November 7, 2000
Preceded by	Leonard J. Hall
Succeeded by	Curtis B. Richardson
Constituency	9th district (1982–92); 8th district (1992–2000)
Personal details
Born	Alfred James Lawson Jr.; September 23, 1948 (age 76); Midway, Florida, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Delores Brooks (m. 1975)
Children	2
Education	Florida A&M University (BA); Florida State University (MPA)
Website	House website

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Alfred James Lawson Jr. (born September 23, 1948)^[1] is an American businessman and politician who was the U.S. representative for Florida's 5th congressional district from 2017 to 2023. The district, which was eliminated following redistricting during the 2022 Florida legislative session, stretched across most of the border with Georgia, including most of the majority-black areas between Tallahassee and Jacksonville. Lawson challenged fellow Congressman Neal Dunn in the newly redrawn 2nd congressional district, which pitted them against each other in Lawson's home city. Lawson won the Democratic primary unopposed, and lost to Dunn in the general election.

Lawson served in the Florida legislature for 28 years, from 1982 to 2000 in the Florida House of Representatives and from 2000 to 2010 in the Florida Senate (representing the 6th district), where he was elected to serve as the Democratic leader and rose to the rank of "Dean of the Senate" before his election to Congress. After two failed campaigns for Congress, Lawson defeated incumbent Corrine Brown in the 2016 Democratic primary and won the general election.

Early life and education

Lawson was born in Midway, Florida, and attended Havana Northside High School, where he was a standout athlete in basketball and track. He went on to be a basketball star at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU), where he earned a bachelor's degree in political science. After a brief stint as a professional basketball player with the Indiana Pacers and Atlanta Hawks,^[2] Lawson returned to Tallahassee, where he landed a job at Florida State University as an assistant basketball coach and took the Seminoles to the Elite Eight of the NCAA tournament. Lawson also earned his Master of Public Administration from Florida State University.

Lawson is an Episcopalian.^[3]

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

2010

Lawson ran for the Democratic nomination in Florida's 2nd congressional district in 2010, challenging seven-term incumbent Allen Boyd.^[4] He narrowly lost to Boyd in the Democratic primary,^[5] and Boyd lost to Republican newcomer Steve Southerland in the general election by more than 12 percentage points.^[6]^[7]

2012

Lawson ran for the seat again, and won the Democratic nomination against Blue Dog-endorsed state representative Leonard Bembry. He lost to Southerland in the general election by less than 6 points.^[8]

2016

A lawsuit challenging the Florida congressional district map radically changed the 5th district. For the past quarter-century, the district and its predecessors had covered most of the majority-black precincts from Jacksonville to Orlando. The new map changed the district to an east–west configuration stretching across all or part of eight counties from Tallahassee to downtown Jacksonville. The redrawn district included Lawson's home in Tallahassee, and Lawson announced he would run for the 5th on December 15, 2015, setting up a battle against Corrine Brown, the only representative the district had had since its creation in 1993.^[9]

The district's demographics appeared to be against Lawson. While it now included most of Tallahassee, the capital and its suburbs only accounted for 32% of the district's population, while the Jacksonville area-Brown's base-accounted for 61%.^[10] But Lawson's candidacy received a significant boost in July 2016, when Brown was indicted on federal corruption charges.^[11] He defeated Brown in the Democratic primary—the real contest in this heavily Democratic district—on August 30. He then defeated Republican Glo Smith in the November 8 general election with 64% of the vote.^[12]

Committee assignments

Caucus memberships

Political positions

Gun policy

After the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida, Lawson expressed frustration with the lack of action on gun regulation and placed blame on lobbying organizations, saying "the stranglehold of the gun lobby has gone on long enough".^[15] Lawson supports restriction on assault weapons.^[16] In 2017, he voted no on the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017, which would require all states to recognize concealed carry permits issued in other states.^[17]^[18] Additionally, those with concealed carry permits would be permitted to carry concealed weapons in school zones.^[19] Lawson also voted no on the Veterans Second Amendment Protection Act, which would have allowed veterans who are considered "mentally incompetent" to purchase ammunition and firearms unless declared a danger by a judge.^[17]^[20]

Yemeni civil war

Lawson was one of five house Democrats to vote for the U.S. to continue selling arms to Saudi Arabia and to support the Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen.^[21] This vote was part a vote series that allowed debate and votes on the Farm Bill in 2018, which he called a necessary step to provide assistance to farmers in his largely agricultural district.

References

^ Florida, State Library and Archives of. "U.S. Congressional candidate Al Lawson, at right, speaking with Bob Fulford at a picnic of the Democratic Club of North Florida in Tallahassee, Florida". Florida Memory.
^ Gangitano, Alex (March 22, 2017). "Florida Democrat talks about his American Basketball Association career". Roll Call. CQ Roll Call. Archived from the original on June 14, 2018. Retrieved March 6, 2018.
^ "Religious affiliation of members of 117th Congress" (PDF). PEW Research Center. January 24, 2021. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
^ Kam, Dara (February 5, 2009). "Palm Beach Post Blogs: Area news, sports, entertainment, business & more". The Palm Beach Post. Retrieved July 11, 2010.
^ Isenstadt, Alex (August 25, 2010). "Rep. Allen Boyd holds on in Florida". Politico. Retrieved June 16, 2011.
^ Helgoth, Ali (November 3, 2010). "Southerland defeats Boyd". The News Herald. Archived from the original on December 8, 2010. Retrieved June 16, 2011.
^ "2010 General Election Results". Florida Division of Elections. November 3, 2010. Archived from the original on July 27, 2011. Retrieved June 16, 2011.
^ "November 6, 2012 General Election, Official Results". Florida Division of Elections. November 6, 2012. Retrieved May 13, 2016.
^ Caputo, Marc (December 15, 2015). "Lawson announces run for Congress". Politico.
^ "Daily Kos Elections congressional district redistribution analysis (post-2010 census)". Google Docs.
^ Kelly, Nora (July 8, 2016). "Representative Corrine Brown Indicted on Federal Charges". The Atlantic.
^ Gardner, Lynnsey; Moyer, Crystal (August 30, 2016). "After 12 terms in Congress, Corrine Brown defeated". WJXT. Retrieved August 30, 2016.
^ "Membership". Congressional Black Caucus. Retrieved March 7, 2018.
^ "Members". New Democrat Coalition. Archived from the original on February 8, 2018. Retrieved February 5, 2018.
^ Leary, Alex (February 15, 2018). "Florida Democrats say school massacre a call for gun control". Tampa Bay Times. Tampa Bay, Florida. Retrieved February 23, 2018.
^ Patterson, Steve (November 7, 2016). "Al Lawson wins North Florida seat in Congress, replacing U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown". Jacksonville.com. Jacksonville, Florida. Retrieved February 23, 2018.
^ ^a ^b "Al Lawson, Jr.'s Voting Records on Issue". ISPY. Vote Smart. Retrieved February 23, 2018.
^ Mosendz, Polly (November 29, 2017). "Get Ready for Concealed Guns in All 50 States". Bloomberg. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
^ Kruzel, John (December 7, 2017). "Concealed carry bill lets states regulate guns in schools". Politifact. Retrieved December 8, 2017.
^ Caplan, Andrew (February 21, 2018). "Your leaders: 4-1 against stricter gun laws". The Gainesville Sun. Gainesville, Florida. Retrieved February 22, 2018.
^ Fuller, Matt; Ahmed, Akbar Shahid (December 12, 2018). "5 Democrats Bail Out Paul Ryan And Protect Saudi Arabia". Huffington Post.

External links

Congressman Al Lawson official U.S. House website
Campaign website

Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
Legislation sponsored at the Library of Congress
Profile at Vote Smart
Appearances on C-SPAN

Florida House of Representatives
Preceded by Leonard J. Hall	Member of the Florida House of Representatives from the 9th district 1982–1992	Succeeded by Hurley Rudd
Preceded by Robert Trammell	Member of the Florida House of Representatives from the 8th district 1992–2000	Succeeded by Curtis B. Richardson
Florida Senate
Preceded by Pat Thomas	Member of the Florida Senate from the 3rd district 2000–2002	Succeeded by Nancy Argenziano
Preceded by Stephen R. Wise	Member of the Florida Senate from the 6th district 2002–2010	Succeeded by Bill Montford
Preceded by Steven Geller	Minority Leader of the Florida Senate 2008–2010	Succeeded by Nan Rich
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Corrine Brown	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Florida's 5th congressional district 2017–2023	Succeeded by John Rutherford
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by Val Demings as Former US Representative	Order of precedence of the United States as Former US Representative	Succeeded by Stephanie Murphy as Former US Representative

[1] Florida, State Library and Archives of. "U.S. Congressional candidate Al Lawson, at right, speaking with Bob Fulford at a picnic of the Democratic Club of North Florida in Tallahassee, Florida". Florida Memory.

[Gangitano_2017-2] Gangitano, Alex (March 22, 2017). "Florida Democrat talks about his American Basketball Association career". Roll Call. CQ Roll Call. Archived from the original on June 14, 2018. Retrieved March 6, 2018.

[3] "Religious affiliation of members of 117th Congress" (PDF). PEW Research Center. January 24, 2021. Retrieved April 14, 2023.

[4] Kam, Dara (February 5, 2009). "Palm Beach Post Blogs: Area news, sports, entertainment, business & more". The Palm Beach Post. Retrieved July 11, 2010.

[5] Isenstadt, Alex (August 25, 2010). "Rep. Allen Boyd holds on in Florida". Politico. Retrieved June 16, 2011.

[6] Helgoth, Ali (November 3, 2010). "Southerland defeats Boyd". The News Herald. Archived from the original on December 8, 2010. Retrieved June 16, 2011.

[7] "2010 General Election Results". Florida Division of Elections. November 3, 2010. Archived from the original on July 27, 2011. Retrieved June 16, 2011.

[8] "November 6, 2012 General Election, Official Results". Florida Division of Elections. November 6, 2012. Retrieved May 13, 2016.

[9] Caputo, Marc (December 15, 2015). "Lawson announces run for Congress". Politico.

[Redistribution-10] "Daily Kos Elections congressional district redistribution analysis (post-2010 census)". Google Docs.

[11] Kelly, Nora (July 8, 2016). "Representative Corrine Brown Indicted on Federal Charges". The Atlantic.

[12] Gardner, Lynnsey; Moyer, Crystal (August 30, 2016). "After 12 terms in Congress, Corrine Brown defeated". WJXT. Retrieved August 30, 2016.

[13] "Membership". Congressional Black Caucus. Retrieved March 7, 2018.

[14] "Members". New Democrat Coalition. Archived from the original on February 8, 2018. Retrieved February 5, 2018.

[Leary_2018-15] Leary, Alex (February 15, 2018). "Florida Democrats say school massacre a call for gun control". Tampa Bay Times. Tampa Bay, Florida. Retrieved February 23, 2018.

[Patterson_2016-16] Patterson, Steve (November 7, 2016). "Al Lawson wins North Florida seat in Congress, replacing U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown". Jacksonville.com. Jacksonville, Florida. Retrieved February 23, 2018.

[ISPY-17] "Al Lawson, Jr.'s Voting Records on Issue". ISPY. Vote Smart. Retrieved February 23, 2018.

[bloomberg-18] Mosendz, Polly (November 29, 2017). "Get Ready for Concealed Guns in All 50 States". Bloomberg. Retrieved December 4, 2017.

[19] Kruzel, John (December 7, 2017). "Concealed carry bill lets states regulate guns in schools". Politifact. Retrieved December 8, 2017.

[Caplan_2018-20] Caplan, Andrew (February 21, 2018). "Your leaders: 4-1 against stricter gun laws". The Gainesville Sun. Gainesville, Florida. Retrieved February 22, 2018.

[21] Fuller, Matt; Ahmed, Akbar Shahid (December 12, 2018). "5 Democrats Bail Out Paul Ryan And Protect Saudi Arabia". Huffington Post.

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{Short description|American politician}}
+{{Short description|American politician (born 1948)}}
 {{other people|Alfred Lawson}}
+{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2023}}
 {{Infobox officeholder
-|name          = Al Lawson
-|image         = Al Lawson 115th Congress photo.jpg
+| name                = Al Lawson
-|state         = [[Florida]]
+| image               = Al Lawson 115th Congress photo.jpg
-|district      = {{ushr|FL|5|5th}}
+| state               = [[Florida]]
+| district            = {{ushr|FL|5|5th}}
-|term_start    = January 3, 2017
-|term_end      = January 3, 2023
+| term_start          = January 3, 2017
+| term_end            = January 3, 2023
-|predecessor   = [[Corrine Brown]]
-|successor     = [[Neal Dunn]] (Redistricting)
+| predecessor         = [[Corrine Brown]]
+| successor           = [[John Rutherford (Florida politician)|John Rutherford]]
-|state_senate1 = Florida
+| office1             = Minority Leader of the [[Florida Senate]]
-|district1     = 6th
-|term_start1   = November 5, 2002
+| term_start1         = 2008
-|term_end1     = November 2, 2010
+| term_end1           = 2010
-|predecessor1  = [[Pat Thomas (politician)|Pat Thomas]]
+| predecessor1        = [[Steven Geller]]
-|successor1    = [[Bill Montford]]
+| successor1          = [[Nan Rich]]
+| office2             = Member of the [[Florida Senate]]
-|state_senate2 = Florida
+| constituency2       = [[Florida's 3rd Senate district|3rd district]] (2000–02)<br>[[Florida's 6th Senate district|6th district]] (2002–10)
-|district2     = 3rd
-|term_start2   = November 7, 2000
+| term_start2         = November 7, 2000
-|term_end2     = November 5, 2002
+| term_end2           = November 2, 2010
-|predecessor2  = [[Pat Thomas (politician)|Pat Thomas]]
+| predecessor2        = [[Pat Thomas (politician)|Pat Thomas]]
-|successor2    = [[Nancy Argenziano]]
+| successor2          = [[Bill Montford]]
+| office3             = Member of the<br>[[Florida House of Representatives]]
-|state_house3  = Florida
-|district3     = [[Florida's 8th House of Representatives district|8th]]
+| constituency3       = [[Florida's 9th House of Representatives district|9th district]] (1982–92)<br>[[Florida's 8th House of Representatives district|8th district]] (1992–2000)
-|term_start3   = November 3, 1992
+| term_start3         = November 7, 1982
-|term_end3     = November 7, 2000
+| term_end3           = November 7, 2000
-|predecessor3  = [[Robert Trammell]]
+| predecessor3        = [[Leonard J. Hall]]
-|successor3    = [[Curtis B. Richardson]]
+| successor3          = [[Curtis B. Richardson]]
+| birth_name          = Alfred James Lawson Jr.
-|state_house4  = Florida
+| birth_date          = {{birth date and age|1948|9|23}}
-|district4     = [[Florida's 9th House of Representatives district|9th]]
+| birth_place         = [[Midway, Gadsden County, Florida|Midway, Florida]], U.S.
-|term_start4   = November 7, 1982
-|term_end4     = November 3, 1992
+| death_date          =
+| death_place         =
-|predecessor4  = [[Leonard J. Hall]]
+| party               = [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
-|successor4    = Hurley W. Rudd
+| spouse              = {{marriage|Delores Brooks|1975}}
-|office5        = Minority Leader of the [[Florida Senate]]
-|term_start5    = 2008
+| children            = 2
+| education           = [[Florida A&M University]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])<br>[[Florida State University]] ([[Master of Public Administration|MPA]])
-|term_end5      = 2010
+| website             = {{URL|lawson.house.gov|House website}}
-|predecessor5   = [[Steven Geller]]
-|successor5     = [[Nan Rich]]
-|birth_name    = Alfred James Lawson Jr.
-|birth_date    = {{birth date and age|1948|9|23}}
-|birth_place   = [[Midway, Gadsden County, Florida|Midway, Florida]], U.S.
-|death_date    =
-|death_place   =
-|party         = [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
-|spouse        = {{marriage|Delores Brooks|1975}}
-|children      = two
-|education     = [[Florida A&M University]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])<br>[[Florida State University]] ([[Master of Public Administration|MPA]])
-|website       = {{url|lawson.house.gov|House website}}
 }}
-'''Alfred James Lawson Jr.''' (born September 23, 1948)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/23896|title=U.S. Congressional candidate Al Lawson, at right, speaking with Bob Fulford at a picnic of the Democratic Club of North Florida in Tallahassee, Florida.|first=State Library and Archives of|last=Florida|website=Florida Memory}}</ref> is an American businessman and former politician, who was the [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. Representative]] for [[Florida's 5th congressional district]], serving from 2017 until 2023. The district was eliminated following redistricting during the [[2022]] Florida Legislative Session, and stretched across most of the border with [[Georgia (U. S. state)|Georgia]], including most of the majority-black areas between [[Tallahassee]] and [[Jacksonville]]. Lawson challenged fellow Congressman [[Neal Dunn]] in the newly-redrawn 2nd congressional district, which pitted both incumbents against each other in Lawson's home city. Though Lawson easily won the Democratic primary unopposed, Dunn went on to defeat him in the general election.
+'''Alfred James Lawson Jr.''' (born September 23, 1948)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/23896|title=U.S. Congressional candidate Al Lawson, at right, speaking with Bob Fulford at a picnic of the Democratic Club of North Florida in Tallahassee, Florida.|first=State Library and Archives of|last=Florida|website=Florida Memory}}</ref> is an American businessman and politician who was the [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. representative]] for [[Florida's 5th congressional district]] from 2017 to 2023. The district, which was eliminated following redistricting during the 2022 Florida legislative session, stretched across most of the border with [[Georgia (U. S. state)|Georgia]], including most of the majority-black areas between [[Tallahassee]] and [[Jacksonville]]. Lawson challenged fellow Congressman [[Neal Dunn]] in the newly redrawn 2nd congressional district, which pitted them against each other in Lawson's home city. Lawson won the Democratic primary unopposed, and lost to Dunn in the general election.
-A [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]], Lawson served in the Florida legislature for 28 years. From 1982 to 2000, he was a member of the [[Florida House of Representatives]]. From 2000 to 2010, Lawson was a member of the [[Florida Senate]] (representing the 6th district), where he was elected to serve as the Democratic leader and rose to the rank of "Dean of the Senate" before his election to the U.S. House of Representatives. After two failed campaigns for Congress, Lawson defeated incumbent [[Corrine Brown]] in the 2016 Democratic primary and won the general election.
+Lawson served in the Florida legislature for 28 years, from 1982 to 2000 in the [[Florida House of Representatives]] and from 2000 to 2010 in the [[Florida Senate]] (representing the 6th district), where he was elected to serve as the Democratic leader and rose to the rank of "Dean of the Senate" before his election to Congress. After two failed campaigns for Congress, Lawson defeated incumbent [[Corrine Brown]] in the 2016 Democratic primary and won the general election.
 == Early life and education ==
@@ Line 58: / Line 47: @@
 [[File:Alfred Lawson.jpg|thumb|Lawson as a state senator, 2006]]
 Lawson was born in [[Midway, Gadsden County, Florida|Midway, Florida]], and attended Havana Northside High School, where he was a standout athlete in basketball and track. He went on to be a basketball star at [[Florida agricultural and mechanical university|Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University]] (FAMU), where he earned a [[bachelor's degree]] in political science. After a brief stint as a professional basketball player with the [[Indiana Pacers]] and [[Atlanta Hawks]],<ref name="Gangitano 2017">{{cite web| url=https://www.rollcall.com/hoh/take-five-al-lawson| title=Florida Democrat talks about his American Basketball Association career| last=Gangitano| first=Alex| date=22 March 2017| website=Roll Call| publisher=CQ Roll Call| access-date=6 March 2018| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614071736/https://www.rollcall.com/hoh/take-five-al-lawson| archive-date=14 June 2018| url-status=dead}}</ref> Lawson returned to Tallahassee, where he landed a job at [[Florida State University]] as an assistant basketball coach and took the Seminoles to the Elite Eight of the NCAA tournament. Lawson also earned his [[Master of Public Administration]] from Florida State University.
+Lawson is an [[Episcopalian]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pewforum.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2021/01/01.04.21_faith_on_the_hill_detailed.table_.update.pdf |access-date=14 April 2023|website=PEW Research Center|title=Religious affiliation of members of 117th Congress|date=January 24, 2021}}</ref>
 ==U.S. House of Representatives==
@@ Line 63: / Line 54: @@
 ====2010====
 {{Main|2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida#District 2*}}
-Lawson ran for the Democratic nomination in {{ushr|Florida|2}} in 2010, challenging seven-term incumbent [[Allen Boyd]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Kam |first=Dara |url=http://www.palmbeachpost.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/palmbeach/floridapolitics/entries/2009/02/05/lawson_to_challenge_boyd_for_c.html |title=Palm Beach Post Blogs: Area news, sports, entertainment, business & more |publisher=The Palm Beach Post |date=2009-02-05 |access-date=2010-07-11}}</ref> He narrowly lost to Boyd in the Democratic primary,<ref>{{cite web|last=Isenstadt |first=Alex |url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0810/41436.html |title=Rep. Allen Boyd holds on in Florida |publisher=Politico |date=2010-08-25 |access-date=2011-06-16}}</ref> and Boyd lost to Republican newcomer [[Steve Southerland (Florida politician)|Steve Southerland]] in the general election by more than 12 percentage points.<ref>{{cite web |last=Helgoth |first=Ali |url=http://www.newsherald.com/news/tallahassee-88281-boyd-career.html |title=Southerland defeats Boyd |publisher=The News Herald |date=2010-11-03 |access-date=2011-06-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101208020315/http://www.newsherald.com/news/tallahassee-88281-boyd-career.html |archive-date=2010-12-08 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://enight.dos.state.fl.us/DetailRpt.Asp?ELECTIONDATE=11/2/2010&RACE=USR&PARTY=&DIST=002&GRP=&DATAMODE= |title=2010 General Election Results |publisher=Florida Division of Elections |date=2010-11-03 |access-date=2011-06-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727130243/http://enight.dos.state.fl.us/DetailRpt.Asp?ELECTIONDATE=11%2F2%2F2010&RACE=USR&PARTY=&DIST=002&GRP=&DATAMODE= |archive-date=2011-07-27 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
+Lawson ran for the Democratic nomination in {{ushr|Florida|2}} in 2010, challenging seven-term incumbent [[Allen Boyd]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Kam |first=Dara |url=http://www.palmbeachpost.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/palmbeach/floridapolitics/entries/2009/02/05/lawson_to_challenge_boyd_for_c.html |title=Palm Beach Post Blogs: Area news, sports, entertainment, business & more |publisher=The Palm Beach Post |date=2009-02-05 |access-date=2010-07-11}}</ref> He narrowly lost to Boyd in the Democratic primary,<ref>{{cite web|last=Isenstadt |first=Alex |url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0810/41436.html |title=Rep. Allen Boyd holds on in Florida |work=Politico |date=2010-08-25 |access-date=2011-06-16}}</ref> and Boyd lost to Republican newcomer [[Steve Southerland (Florida politician)|Steve Southerland]] in the general election by more than 12 percentage points.<ref>{{cite web |last=Helgoth |first=Ali |url=http://www.newsherald.com/news/tallahassee-88281-boyd-career.html |title=Southerland defeats Boyd |publisher=The News Herald |date=2010-11-03 |access-date=2011-06-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101208020315/http://www.newsherald.com/news/tallahassee-88281-boyd-career.html |archive-date=2010-12-08 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://enight.dos.state.fl.us/DetailRpt.Asp?ELECTIONDATE=11/2/2010&RACE=USR&PARTY=&DIST=002&GRP=&DATAMODE= |title=2010 General Election Results |publisher=Florida Division of Elections |date=2010-11-03 |access-date=2011-06-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727130243/http://enight.dos.state.fl.us/DetailRpt.Asp?ELECTIONDATE=11%2F2%2F2010&RACE=USR&PARTY=&DIST=002&GRP=&DATAMODE= |archive-date=2011-07-27 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
 ====2012====
@@ Line 73: / Line 64: @@
 A [[United States House of Representatives elections in Florida, 2016#Redistricting lawsuit|lawsuit]] challenging the Florida congressional district map radically changed the 5th district. For the past quarter-century, the district and its predecessors had covered most of the majority-black precincts from Jacksonville to Orlando. The new map changed the district to an east–west configuration stretching across all or part of eight counties from Tallahassee to downtown Jacksonville. The redrawn district included Lawson's home in Tallahassee, and Lawson announced he would run for the 5th on December 15, 2015, setting up a battle against [[Corrine Brown]], the only representative the district had had since its creation in 1993.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.politico.com/states/florida/story/2015/12/lawson-announces-run-for-congress-029129|title=Lawson announces run for Congress|first=Marc|last=Caputo|work=Politico|date=December 15, 2015}}</ref>
-The district's demographics appeared to be against Lawson. While it now included most of Tallahassee, the capital and its suburbs only accounted for 32% of the district's population, while the Jacksonville area accounted for 61%.<ref name=Redistribution>{{cite web|url=https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16OF7EgHsAzXCVeLhrq-yUAsiSeNm_tJz2yYg_rapjmY/edit?ts=568eb6c7&usp=embed_facebook|title=Daily Kos Elections congressional district redistribution analysis (post-2010 census)|website=Google Docs}}</ref> But Lawson's candidacy received a significant boost in July 2016, when Brown was indicted on federal corruption charges.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/07/corrine-brown-indictment/490514/|title=Representative Corrine Brown Indicted on Federal Charges|first=Nora|last=Kelly|work=The Atlantic|date=July 8, 2016}}</ref> He defeated Brown in the Democratic primary—the real contest in this heavily Democratic district—on August 30. He then defeated Republican Glo Smith in the November 8 general election with 64% of the vote.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Gardner|first1=Lynnsey|last2=Moyer|first2=Crystal|url=http://www.news4jax.com/news/elections/challengers-aim-to-unseat-corrine-brown-in-primary|title=After 12 terms in Congress, Corrine Brown defeated|work=[[WJXT]]|date=August 30, 2016|access-date=August 30, 2016}}</ref>
+The district's demographics appeared to be against Lawson. While it now included most of Tallahassee, the capital and its suburbs only accounted for 32% of the district's population, while the Jacksonville area-Brown's base-accounted for 61%.<ref name=Redistribution>{{cite web|url=https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16OF7EgHsAzXCVeLhrq-yUAsiSeNm_tJz2yYg_rapjmY/edit?ts=568eb6c7&usp=embed_facebook|title=Daily Kos Elections congressional district redistribution analysis (post-2010 census)|website=Google Docs}}</ref> But Lawson's candidacy received a significant boost in July 2016, when Brown was indicted on federal corruption charges.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/07/corrine-brown-indictment/490514/|title=Representative Corrine Brown Indicted on Federal Charges|first=Nora|last=Kelly|work=The Atlantic|date=July 8, 2016}}</ref> He defeated Brown in the Democratic primary—the real contest in this heavily Democratic district—on August 30. He then defeated Republican Glo Smith in the November 8 general election with 64% of the vote.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Gardner|first1=Lynnsey|last2=Moyer|first2=Crystal|url=http://www.news4jax.com/news/elections/challengers-aim-to-unseat-corrine-brown-in-primary|title=After 12 terms in Congress, Corrine Brown defeated|work=[[WJXT]]|date=August 30, 2016|access-date=August 30, 2016}}</ref>
 ===Committee assignments===
@@ Line 89: / Line 80: @@
 ==Political positions==
-===Gun law===
+===Gun policy===
-After the [[Stoneman Douglas High School shooting]] in [[Parkland, Florida]], Lawson expressed frustration with the lack of action on gun regulation and placed blame on lobbying organizations, saying "the stranglehold of the gun lobby has gone on long enough".<ref name="Leary 2018">{{cite news| url=http://www.tampabay.com/florida-politics/buzz/2018/02/15/florida-democrats-say-school-massacre-a-call-for-gun-control/| work=Tampa Bay Times| location=Tampa Bay, Florida| date=15 February 2018| last=Leary| first=Alex| title=Florida Democrats say school massacre a call for gun control| access-date=23 February 2018}}</ref> Lawson supports restriction on [[assault weapon]]s.<ref name="Patterson 2016">{{cite news |last=Patterson |first=Steve |date=7 November 2016 |title=Al Lawson wins North Florida seat in Congress, replacing U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown |url=http://www.jacksonville.com/news/2016-11-07/al-lawson-wins-north-florida-seat-congress-replacing-us-rep-corrine-brown |work=Jacksonville.com |location=Jacksonville, Florida |access-date=23 February 2018 }}</ref> In 2017, he voted no on the [[Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017]], which would require all states to recognize concealed carry permits issued in other states.<ref name="ISPY">{{cite web| url=https://votesmart.org/candidate/key-votes/24263/al-lawson-jr/37/guns#.WpB31edG1PY| website=ISPY| publisher=Vote Smart| title=Al Lawson, Jr.'s Voting Records on Issue| access-date=23 February 2018}}</ref><ref name=bloomberg>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-11-29/get-ready-for-concealed-guns-in-all-50-states |title=Get Ready for Concealed Guns in All 50 States |last=Mosendz |first=Polly |date=2017-11-29 |work=Bloomberg |access-date=2017-12-04}}</ref> Additionally, those with concealed carry permits would be permitted to carry concealed weapons in school zones.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2017/dec/07/brendan-boyle/no-gop-concealed-carry-bill-does-not-block-states-/ |title=Concealed carry bill lets states regulate guns in schools |last=Kruzel |first=John |date=2017-12-07 |website=Politifact |language=en |access-date=2017-12-08}}</ref> Lawson also voted no on the [https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/1181 Veterans Second Amendment Protection Act], which would have allowed veterans who are considered "mentally incompetent" to purchase ammunition and firearms unless declared a danger by a judge.<ref name="ISPY"/><ref name="Caplan 2018">{{cite news |last=Caplan |first=Andrew |date=21 February 2018 |title=Your leaders: 4-1 against stricter gun laws |url=http://www.gainesville.com/news/20180221/your-leaders-4-1-against-stricter-gun-laws |work=The Gainesville Sun |location=Gainesville, Florida |access-date=22 February 2018 }}</ref>
+After the [[Stoneman Douglas High School shooting]] in [[Parkland, Florida]], Lawson expressed frustration with the lack of action on gun regulation and placed blame on lobbying organizations, saying "the stranglehold of the gun lobby has gone on long enough".<ref name="Leary 2018">{{cite news| url=https://www.tampabay.com/florida-politics/buzz/2018/02/15/florida-democrats-say-school-massacre-a-call-for-gun-control/| work=Tampa Bay Times| location=Tampa Bay, Florida| date=15 February 2018| last=Leary| first=Alex| title=Florida Democrats say school massacre a call for gun control| access-date=23 February 2018}}</ref> Lawson supports restriction on [[assault weapon]]s.<ref name="Patterson 2016">{{cite news |last=Patterson |first=Steve |date=7 November 2016 |title=Al Lawson wins North Florida seat in Congress, replacing U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown |url=http://www.jacksonville.com/news/2016-11-07/al-lawson-wins-north-florida-seat-congress-replacing-us-rep-corrine-brown |work=Jacksonville.com |location=Jacksonville, Florida |access-date=23 February 2018 }}</ref> In 2017, he voted no on the [[Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017]], which would require all states to recognize concealed carry permits issued in other states.<ref name="ISPY">{{cite web| url=https://votesmart.org/candidate/key-votes/24263/al-lawson-jr/37/guns#.WpB31edG1PY| website=ISPY| publisher=Vote Smart| title=Al Lawson, Jr.'s Voting Records on Issue| access-date=23 February 2018}}</ref><ref name=bloomberg>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-11-29/get-ready-for-concealed-guns-in-all-50-states |title=Get Ready for Concealed Guns in All 50 States |last=Mosendz |first=Polly |date=2017-11-29 |work=Bloomberg |access-date=2017-12-04}}</ref> Additionally, those with concealed carry permits would be permitted to carry concealed weapons in school zones.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2017/dec/07/brendan-boyle/no-gop-concealed-carry-bill-does-not-block-states-/ |title=Concealed carry bill lets states regulate guns in schools |last=Kruzel |first=John |date=2017-12-07 |website=Politifact |language=en |access-date=2017-12-08}}</ref> Lawson also voted no on the [https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/1181 Veterans Second Amendment Protection Act], which would have allowed veterans who are considered "mentally incompetent" to purchase ammunition and firearms unless declared a danger by a judge.<ref name="ISPY"/><ref name="Caplan 2018">{{cite news |last=Caplan |first=Andrew |date=21 February 2018 |title=Your leaders: 4-1 against stricter gun laws |url=http://www.gainesville.com/news/20180221/your-leaders-4-1-against-stricter-gun-laws |work=The Gainesville Sun |location=Gainesville, Florida |access-date=22 February 2018 }}</ref>
 === Yemeni civil war ===
@@ Line 105: / Line 96: @@
 *[https://lawson.house.gov Congressman Al Lawson] official U.S. House website
 *[http://www.allawson.com/ Campaign website]
-* {{Curlie|Regional/North_America/United_States/Florida/Government/Federal/US_House/Al_Lawson_%5BD-5%5D}}
 {{CongLinks | congbio=L000586 | votesmart=24263 | fec=H0FL02086 | congress=al-lawson/L000586 }}
 * {{C-SPAN|90480}}
@@ Line 113: / Line 103: @@
 {{s-bef|before=[[Leonard J. Hall]]}}
 {{s-ttl|title=Member of the [[Florida House of Representatives]]<br>from the [[Florida's 9th House of Representatives district|9th]] district|years=1982–1992}}
-{{s-aft|after=Hurley W. Rudd}}
+{{s-aft|after=Hurley Rudd}}
+|-
-{{s-break}}
 {{s-bef|before=Robert Trammell}}
 {{s-ttl|title=Member of the [[Florida House of Representatives]]<br>from the [[Florida's 8th House of Representatives district|8th]] district|years=1992–2000}}
 {{s-aft|after=[[Curtis B. Richardson]]}}
+|-
-{{s-break}}
 {{s-par|us-fl-sen}}
 {{s-bef|before=[[Pat Thomas (politician)|Pat Thomas]]}}
 {{s-ttl|title=Member of the [[Florida Senate]]<br>from the 3rd district|years=2000–2002}}
 {{s-aft|after=[[Nancy Argenziano]]}}
+|-
-{{s-break}}
 {{s-bef|before=[[Stephen R. Wise]]}}
 {{s-ttl|title=Member of the [[Florida Senate]]<br>from the 6th district|years=2002–2010}}
 {{s-aft|after=[[Bill Montford]]}}
+|-
-{{s-break}}
 {{s-bef|before=[[Steven Geller]]}}
 {{s-ttl|title=Minority Leader of the [[Florida Senate]]|years=2008–2010}}
 {{s-aft|after=[[Nan Rich]]}}
+|-
-{{s-break}}
 {{s-par|us-hs}}
 {{s-bef|before=[[Corrine Brown]]}}
 {{s-ttl|title=Member of the [[List of United States representatives from Florida|U.S. House of Representatives]]<br>from [[Florida's 5th congressional district]]|years=2017–2023}}
+{{s-aft|after=[[John Rutherford (Florida politician)|John Rutherford]]}}
-{{s-inc}}
+|-
-{{s-break}}
 {{s-prec|usa}}
 {{s-bef|before=[[Val Demings]]|as=Former US Representative}}
@@ Line 144: / Line 134: @@
 {{U.S. Florida Representatives}}
-{{USCongRep-start|congresses= 115th–present [[United States Congress]]es |state=[[Florida]]}}
+{{USCongRep-start |congresses=115th–present [[United States Congress]]es |state=[[Florida]]}}
 {{USCongRep/FL/115}}
 {{USCongRep/FL/116}}
@@ Line 153: / Line 143: @@
 {{DEFAULTSORT:Lawson, Alfred Jr.}}
 [[Category:1948 births]]
-[[Category:21st-century American politicians]]
+[[Category:20th-century African-American politicians]]
+[[Category:21st-century African-American politicians]]
 [[Category:African-American members of the United States House of Representatives]]
 [[Category:African-American state legislators in Florida]]
-[[Category:Florida A&M University alumni]]
 [[Category:Democratic Party Florida state senators]]
+[[Category:Democratic Party members of the Florida House of Representatives]]
 [[Category:Democratic Party members of the United States House of Representatives from Florida]]
+[[Category:Episcopalians from Florida]]
+[[Category:Florida A&M University alumni]]
 [[Category:Florida State University alumni]]
 [[Category:Living people]]
-[[Category:Democratic Party members of the Florida House of Representatives]]
+[[Category:21st-century members of the Florida Legislature]]
-[[Category:21st-century African-American politicians]]
+[[Category:21st-century members of the United States House of Representatives]]
-[[Category:20th-century African-American people]]

Authority control databases
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