Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Al Lawson

(born , ) is an and former professional who represented in the from to 2023. , he built a lengthy in public service, including nearly three decades in the state legislature where he advanced key environmental and reparative legislation. Lawson was born in Midway, Gadsden County, Florida, and graduated from Havana Northside High School before earning a B.S. in political science from Florida A&M University in 1970 and an M.S.P.A. from Florida State University in 1973. He briefly played professional basketball for the Indiana Pacers and Atlanta Hawks and served as an assistant coach at Florida State University, contributing to the team's NCAA Elite Eight appearance in 1972. Transitioning to business, he worked as an insurance agent and business owner prior to entering politics. Elected to the in 1982, Lawson served until 2000, then moved to the from 2000 to 2010, rising to from 2008 to 2010. Notable among his state-level achievements were sponsoring the Rosewood Legislation, which provided compensation to survivors of the 1923 Rosewood massacre, and the Preservation 2000 program, aimed at acquiring environmentally sensitive lands for conservation. Recognized as the Dean of the Florida Legislature for his tenure, he received honors including a highway named after him and a multipurpose center at Florida A&M University. In Congress, Lawson focused on , , and committees, reflecting the needs of his district encompassing rural, agricultural, and minority communities. He won in 2016 following and the of Corrine Brown on corruption charges, securing re-election in 2018 before an unsuccessful 2022 bid amid further district changes.

Early life and education

Alfred Lawson Jr. was born on September 23, 1948, in Midway, a small farming community in Gadsden County, Florida. He was the son of Alfred James Lawson Sr., a World War II veteran, and Carrie Mae Lawson, and grew up alongside five siblings in Midway. Lawson attended Havana Northside High School in Havana, Florida, graduating in 1966; during high school, he excelled in basketball and track athletics. He earned a degree in from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University in Tallahassee in 1970. Lawson subsequently obtained a in from in Tallahassee in 1973.

State legislative career

Florida House of Representatives

Alfred Lawson Jr. was first elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 1982, representing District 9, which included portions of Leon and Gadsden counties in North Florida. He secured the Democratic nomination by defeating Bette Wimbish in a primary runoff and faced no Republican opponent in the general election, marking him as the first Black state representative from the Tallahassee area since Reconstruction. Lawson was reelected in 1986 after winning the Democratic primary with 61% of the vote against challengers Rocky Bevis, Arthur Floyd, and Joe Whitfield, then defeating Republican Taylor Moore in the general election. In 1990, he won the Democratic primary against Bill Carrin and was unopposed in the general. Following the 1992 redistricting, Lawson shifted to 8, encompassing Gadsden and counties, and encountered no opposition in elections through 1998. During his 18-year tenure from to , he chaired the House Resources and advocated for minority in the 1992 redistricting debates. Lawson also directed state toward , including expansions at the Tallahassee Regional and development projects in . He did not seek reelection to the House in 2000, instead successfully running for the .

Florida Senate

Alfred Lawson Jr. served in the from to as a representing 3 initially and then 6 following after the . 6 covered rural areas in the , including Calhoun, , Gadsden, Gulf, Jackson, , and Wakulla counties, along with portions of and counties; these jurisdictions featured a mix of agricultural communities and small towns with significant African American populations. Lawson won to the in , defeating Durell Peaden by a margin of % to %, and was reelected in and without opposition in the general elections to the district's Democratic . During his tenure, he chaired committees on and elections and affairs, focusing on issues affecting rural constituents such as and . In November 2008, Lawson was selected as Democratic , serving until November 2010 in a chamber controlled by Republicans; in this , he coordinated opposition to GOP-led cuts and pushed for increased investments in and healthcare . His long legislative earned him as the of the . limits prevented further after eight consecutive years, prompting his to the in 2011.

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

Al Lawson first won election to Florida's 5th congressional district in 2016, securing the Democratic nomination by defeating long-serving incumbent Corrine Brown in the primary before prevailing in the general election against Republican Glo Smith. He retained the seat in subsequent elections in 2018 and 2020 with comfortable margins in the majority-minority district stretching from Tallahassee to Jacksonville. Lawson's tenure ended after the 2022 redistricting process, which eliminated the district and forced him into a Republican-leaning contest against incumbent Neal Dunn in the newly configured 2nd district, where he was defeated.

2016 special election

The 2016 election for Florida's 5th district followed a court-ordered redistricting that altered the boundaries of the previously gerrymandered seat held by Corrine Brown since 1993. In the Democratic primary held on August 30, 2016, Lawson received 62.3% of the vote (78,123 votes) against Brown's 30.3% (38,463 votes) and other minor candidates. Brown's campaign was overshadowed by her federal indictment on corruption charges earlier that year, contributing to her primary defeat. In the general election on November 8, 2016, Lawson defeated Republican Glo Smith with 64.2% of the vote (199,878 votes) to Smith's 35.8% (111,449 votes), according to official Florida election results. The district's configuration, which included significant Black voting-age populations, favored the Democratic nominee.

2018 election

Lawson faced a from Jacksonville on , , winning with 62.0% of the vote to Brown's 38.0%. In the against Pennycook, Lawson secured 65.0% (203,481 votes) to Pennycook's 35.0% (109,599 votes). The saw , with Lawson benefiting from the district's leanings.

2020 election

Lawson won the Democratic primary on August 18, , against challengers including representative Daniels and businessman Wagoner, though specific primary vote shares were not contested intensely. Against Republican Gary Adler in the general on November 3, , Lawson received 64.7% (215,561 votes) to Adler's 35.3% (117,605 votes).

2022 election and defeat

Following the 2020 census and redistricting approved by Governor Ron DeSantis and the Republican-controlled legislature in April 2022, Florida's 5th district was dismantled, removing its Black-majority status and incorporating its areas into Republican-leaning districts. Lawson, lacking a viable Democratic-leaning seat, ran in the new 2nd district, facing incumbent Republican Neal Dunn. The primary on August 23, 2022, saw Lawson unopposed on the Democratic side. In the general election on November 8, 2022, Dunn defeated Lawson with 59.6% (192,694 votes) to Lawson's 40.4% (130,727 votes), reflecting the district's shift to favor Republicans. Challengers to the map argued it diluted Black voting power in violation of state constitutional protections, but federal and state courts upheld the plan.

2016 special election

In the Democratic primary for on , , Al Lawson U.S. Representative and physician LaShonda "L.J." Holloway. Lawson's emphasized his representing rural counties in the , contrasting with Brown's long tenure focused on Jacksonville-area urban interests; Brown prevailed only in Duval and counties, while Lawson carried Gadsden, , and other . Brown's was compounded by her on , , for and related to a sham charity foundation, which damaged her credibility amid the district's redrawn boundaries diluting her traditional voter base. The primary arose from a ruling invalidating parts of Florida's congressional under the constitution's , which prohibits districts drawn to favor or disfavor parties or incumbents; this led to redrawn lines for the 5th district, shifting it westward to include more rural Panhandle areas like Tallahassee while retaining portions of Jacksonville. The reconfiguration aimed to remedy alleged packing of voters into the majority-minority district held by Brown since , creating a new open-seat dynamic despite her incumbency. Lawson advanced to face Republican nominee Gloreatha "Glo" Scurry-Smith, a retired educator and former congressional aide, in the general on , . Lawson won with 64.7% of the vote (approximately 193,000 votes) to Smith's 35.3% (approximately 105,000 votes), reflecting the district's Democratic lean under the new . He was sworn into the 115th on , , succeeding .

2018 election

Incumbent Democrat Al Lawson faced former Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown in the Democratic primary for Florida's 5th congressional district on August 28, 2018.) Lawson secured the nomination with 60.3% of the vote (53,990 votes) to Brown's 39.7% (35,584 votes). The primary reflected internal party divisions, with Brown positioning himself as a more moderate alternative amid criticisms of Lawson's legislative effectiveness. In the general election on November 6, 2018, Lawson defeated Republican nominee Virginia Fuller, a cybersecurity and political newcomer. Lawson received 66.8% of the vote (180,527 votes) compared to Fuller's 33.2% (89,799 votes), with a total of 270,326 votes . The district, which encompassed rural areas along the Georgia border and parts of Jacksonville, favored Democrats due to its demographics, including a significant Black population. Fuller's campaign emphasized conservative priorities like border security and economic growth but struggled against Lawson's incumbency and fundraising advantage.

2020 election

In the Democratic primary for on , , Al Lawson challengers and Lavon Bracy, receiving 55.7% of the vote (52,766 votes). garnered 28.3%, while Bracy received 16.0%. The primary challengers criticized Lawson for insufficient to rural counties in . In the Republican primary, Gary Adler, an interior and first-time , Wagoner to become the nominee. Adler positioned himself as an outsider emphasizing economic issues. Lawson won the general on , 2020, against Adler by a margin of 65.1% to 34.9%, with 219,463 votes to Adler's 117,510. , configured as a majority-minority seat under the 2010 redistricting, favored Democratic candidates, contributing to Lawson's comfortable victory. Voter turnout and results reflected the district's partisan lean, with no significant irregularities reported.

2022 election and defeat

Following the approval of a new congressional by the on April 13, , at the of , Lawson's existing majority-Black district (FL-5) was dismantled, combining portions of it with the Republican-held FL-2 centered in the Panhandle. This redrawing, which courts declined to to the despite challenges alleging dilution of Black under the constitution's , pitted Lawson against incumbent Republican in Florida's only incumbent-versus-incumbent congressional . Lawson secured the Democratic without opposition in the , , primary, advancing to the in the newly configured encompassing Tallahassee, [Panama City](/page/Panama City), and parts of [North Florida](/page/North Florida) counties. Dunn, seeking a fourth after winning the in , faced no primary challenger. In the , , , Dunn Lawson by a margin of nearly 20 percentage points, receiving 180,218 votes (59.8%) to Lawson's 121,120 votes (40.2%), with nearly all ballots counted. The Associated Press called the race for Dunn on election night, attributing the outcome to the 's Republican lean under the new boundaries, which shifted the partisan balance from competitive to favoring GOP candidates. Lawson's loss marked the end of his tenure in the U.S. House after three terms, contributing to Republicans' net gain of four seats in Florida's congressional delegation.

Committee assignments and caucuses

In the 115th (2017–2019), Lawson served on the on and the on . In the 116th (2019–2021), he continued on the on and joined the on Financial Services. His assignments in the 117th (2021–2023) remained the same as in the prior term: the on and the on Financial Services. Lawson was a member of the Congressional Black Caucus throughout his congressional service.

Legislative record

During his tenure representing Florida's 5th congressional district from January 2017 to January 2023, Al Lawson sponsored 34 bills and resolutions, with five enacted into law either standalone or incorporated into larger measures, according to legislative tracking data. His sponsorships emphasized agriculture, veterans' issues, education, and economic relief for rural communities, reflecting his district's farming and military interests. For example, in the 117th Congress (2021–2022), he introduced H.R. 5819, the Autonomy for Disabled Veterans Act, on November 1, 2021, to expand self-directed benefit options for service-connected disabled veterans, though it did not advance beyond committee. Similarly, H.R. 6110, the Keep Children and Families Safe from Lead Hazards Act, introduced on November 23, 2021, sought enhanced federal grants for lead abatement in low-income housing but stalled in subcommittee. Lawson frequently cosponsored broader Democratic priorities, including 326 bills in the 115th (2017–2018), ranking near among House Democrats for but aligning with party-line support for measures like the expansions and farm bill reauthorizations. On the House Agriculture , where he served throughout his , he contributed to the 2018 (H.R. 2), which passed on December 20, 2018, and included provisions for subsidies and rural , though his specific amendments on for specialty crops did not traction. records show high loyalty, with missed votes at 3.7% overall (116 of 3,162 total), above the House median, and no notable bipartisan breakthroughs on high-profile roll calls such as infrastructure or defense authorizations. Three of his sponsored bills became law in the 115th via incorporation into omnibus packages, focusing on minor fiscal adjustments for agriculture programs.

Political positions

Domestic issues

Lawson defended the against efforts, expressing willingness to pursue bipartisan modifications to improve its while retaining its protections. On abortion, Lawson advocated banning restrictions on abortion services and ensuring access to safe, legal procedures without limitations. Following the Supreme Court's 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision, he opposed overturning and affirmed support for women's access to services. Lawson supported requiring background checks for every firearm sale and transfer, including private ones. In his 2018 Democratic primary, challengers criticized his record as insufficiently stringent on gun control, highlighting his opposition to certain assault weapons restrictions and positioning him as less aligned with progressive demands on the issue. In economic policy, Lawson prioritized job amid post-recession and endorsed spending to stimulate . He voted for the $900 billion , providing in 2020, and the $1.9 in 2021. Lawson viewed investments as for long-term and backed Biden initiatives allocating nearly $500 million to his district for , roads, bridges, and by 2022. For education, he emphasized making college attainable and affordable, and in September 2020 voted to allow private lawsuits against schools for racial discrimination in admissions or hiring.

Foreign policy

Lawson supported continued U.S. military involvement in support of the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen. In December 2018, he was one of five House Democrats to vote for a procedural rule that blocked debate on a war powers resolution aimed at ending U.S. logistical and intelligence assistance to the coalition, which critics described as enabling a humanitarian catastrophe. This position drew criticism from anti-war advocates, who highlighted the vote as diverging from most Democrats and aligning with Republican leadership amid reports of over 85,000 child deaths from famine linked to the conflict by that point. Lawson defended the vote as necessary to avoid prematurely undermining ongoing congressional negotiations on the issue. On Israel, Lawson expressed for the U.S.- while opposing certain unilateral actions. He backed H. Res. 1110 in , which endorsed the normalizing relations between and the , as well as . In , he stated opposition to annexation of territories, arguing it would undermine prospects for and , though he his pro- stance. During his time in the , he co-sponsored resolutions affirming with . Lawson's overall foreign policy record aligned moderately with progressive internationalist priorities, earning an 80% rating from Foreign Policy for America based on votes supporting multilateral alliances, human rights advocacy, and restraint in military interventions. His district's military installations, including Naval Air Station Jacksonville, influenced support for defense spending, though he prioritized domestic issues like jobs and education in public statements over expansive foreign engagements. No public positions were prominently recorded on China, Russia, or Ukraine aid during his tenure, which ended in January 2023.

Redistricting controversy

In the 2022 Florida congressional following the , proposed a that eliminated , represented by Al Lawson since , by reconfiguring it into a more compact, Republican-leaning District 2 held by incumbent . The original District 5 had been drawn as a non-compact "snake" connecting Black population centers from Jacksonville through Tallahassee to Gadsden County, enabling Black voters—who comprised about 45% of the voting-age population—to elect their preferred candidate in compliance with the Voting Rights Act. DeSantis argued the district constituted impermissible racial gerrymandering, insisting on districts prioritizing compactness over race, and threatened to veto any legislative preserving it. The Republican-controlled Florida Legislature approved DeSantis's preferred on March 29, 2022, which the governor signed into law on April 4, 2022, shifting the expected partisan balance to favor Republicans by at least four additional seats. Lawson condemned the redrawn map as "illegal and unconstitutional," asserting it intentionally diluted Black voting power in North Florida by dispersing the district's minority coalition into predominantly white, conservative areas, contrary to Florida's Fair Districts Amendments (passed in 2010) prohibiting districts drawn to diminish minority influence or favor one party. He chose to run in the new District 2 rather than retire, facing Dunn in the November 2022 general election, where Lawson received 42.1% of the vote to Dunn's 57.9%, contributing to his electoral defeat. The map faced multiple legal challenges from voting rights groups, including the and , who argued in that dismantling 5 violated the constitution's bans on racial and favoritism, as the ignored in while enforcing it selectively here. A three-judge upheld the map in a unanimous , 2024, ruling, finding no violation of law or evidence of intentional racial discrimination. The Florida Supreme , after hearing arguments on September 12, 2024, affirmed the map on July 17, 2025, rejecting claims that it contravened amendments by prioritizing gains over neutral criteria. Critics, including Lawson, maintained the process exemplified executive overreach, with DeSantis's map—released on Martin Luther King Jr. Day—ignoring empirical data on minority patterns in favor of political advantage.

Post-congressional activities

After departing the U.S. on , 2023, following his electoral defeat, Al Lawson has primarily engaged in political centered on and electoral matters in . In August 2025, he participated in discussions highlighting the disruptive effects of on congressional , drawing from his own of having his dismantled. On August 2, 2025, Lawson emailed supporters indicating his serious of a 2026 run for of , motivated in part by dissatisfaction with the leading Democratic candidate's . No formal announcement had been made as of October 2025.

References

  1. [1]
    LAWSON, Alfred, Jr. - Bioguide Search
    LAWSON, Alfred, Jr., a Representative from Florida; born in Midway, Gadsden County, Fla., September 23, 1948; graduated from Havana Northside High School.Missing: congressman | Show results with:congressman
  2. [2]
    Al Lawson (1948- ) | BlackPast.org
    Dec 16, 2019 · A former professional basketball player, Congressman Al Lawson served in the Florida State Legislature for 28 years before being elected to ...
  3. [3]
    LAWSON, Alfred, Jr. | US House of Representatives
    Jump To. Concise Biography; Committee Assignments. Concise Biography. LAWSON, Alfred, Jr., A Representative from Florida; born in Midway, Gadsden County, Fla ...
  4. [4]
    The Electoral History of Al Lawson - MCI Maps | Election Data Analyst
    Feb 27, 2022 · Al Lawson has a long electoral career in North Florida. This article looks at his many elections, from state house to Congress.Missing: biography | Show results with:biography
  5. [5]
    Alfred J. "Al" Lawson, Jr. - 1998 - Florida House of Representatives
    City of Residence: Tallahassee Occupation: Insurance Agent, Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co.1976-Present; President, Lawson and Associates ...Missing: congressman | Show results with:congressman
  6. [6]
    Former Florida Senator Alfred 'Al' Lawson Jr. (D) - LobbyTools
    Elected to the Senate in 2000, reelected subsequently. Minority (Democratic) Leader, 2008-2010. House of Representatives, 1982-2000.Missing: key | Show results with:key
  7. [7]
    Senator Lawson - The Florida Senate
    2000-2002. Senator Alfred "Al" Lawson, Jr. Party: Democrat. District 3 consisted of Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Jackson, Liberty, Wakulla, ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  8. [8]
    Senator Lawson - The Florida Senate
    Senator Alfred "Al" Lawson, Jr. Party: Democrat. District 6 consisted of Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Jackson, Liberty, Wakulla counties and parts of Bay, ...Missing: tenure | Show results with:tenure
  9. [9]
    Senator Lawson - The Florida Senate
    2008-2010. Senator Alfred "Al" Lawson, Jr. Minority (Democratic) Leader. Party: Democrat. District 6 consisted of Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Jackson, ...
  10. [10]
    Alfred Lawson - Ballotpedia
    Alfred Lawson (Democratic Party) (also known as Al) was a member of the US House, representing Florida's 5th Congressional District.
  11. [11]
    Lawson, Smith bios and questionnaires - The Florida Times-Union
    CANDIDATES FOR U.S. HOUSE, DISTRICT 5 GLO SMITH BIO (Republican) Glo Smith is a lifelong Republican because she knows first-hand that the conservative ...
  12. [12]
    Al Lawson wins CD 5 primary; Corrine Brown's era is over
    Aug 30, 2016 · The Corrine Brown era is over in Congressional District 5. Brown won two counties: Duval and Columbia. Lawson won everywhere else.
  13. [13]
    Florida U.S. House 5th District Results: Al Lawson Wins
    Aug 1, 2017 · Al Lawson is up by 28 points with all precincts reporting. Below are detailed results for the race. View other Florida election results on our ...Missing: 2018 2020 2022
  14. [14]
    Al Lawson wins U.S. House of Representatives, District 5, seat
    Nov 6, 2018 · Congressman Al Lawson, D-Tallahassee, easily won re-election Tuesday night in the eight-county district that runs along the Georgia border.Missing: results | Show results with:results
  15. [15]
    Florida election results: Al Lawson wins Congressional District 5 seat
    Nov 3, 2020 · The contest between incumbent U.S. Rep. Al Lawson, D-Tallahassee, and Republican challenger Gary Adler, a political novice and interior ...
  16. [16]
    Dunn beats Lawson in Florida's only incumbent-on-incumbent race
    Nov 8, 2022 · The loss could end the political career of the 74-year-old Rep. Al Lawson, which spans decades and stretched back to a time when Democrats ...Missing: achievements | Show results with:achievements<|separator|>
  17. [17]
    Florida Second Congressional District Election Results 2022
    Nov 8, 2022 · Neal Dunn, Republican, wins the Second District in Florida. Race called by The Associated Press. Latest results from Nov. 21. Vote totals ...
  18. [18]
    2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida
    A lawsuit challenging the districts under Florida's Congressional District Boundaries Amendment (Fair Districts Amendment) was filed in 2012 and was resolved in ...
  19. [19]
    November 8, 2016 General Election
    Nov 8, 2016 · United States Representative District: 5. County, Glo Smith (REP), Al Lawson (DEM). Baker, 9,350, 2,912. Columbia, 1,368, 2,057.
  20. [20]
    Florida's 5th Congressional District election, 2016 - Ballotpedia
    Al Lawson (D) defeated Glo Smith (R) in the general election on November 8, 2016. Lawson defeated incumbent Corrine Brown and LJ Holloway in the Democratic ...
  21. [21]
    Florida's 5th Congressional District election (August 28, 2018 ...
    Election results. Incumbent Alfred Lawson defeated Alvin Brown in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Florida District 5 on August 28, 2018.
  22. [22]
    Former Rep. Al Lawson - D Florida, 5th, Defeated - LegiStorm
    Lawson, Alfred James A Representative from Florida; born in Midway, Gadsden County, Fla., September 23, 1948; graduated from Havana Northside High School ...
  23. [23]
    Redistricting fight pits Reps. Al Lawson and Neal Dunn in Florida
    Jul 26, 2022 · After Gov. Ron DeSantis' controversial Florida redistricting map eliminated Rep. Al Lawson's Black voting district, he will face off against ...
  24. [24]
    What Happened to Florida's 5th Congressional District?
    Aug 16, 2023 · In March of 2022, the Florida Legislature approved a new congressional redistricting plan, proposing a primary and secondary map that would ...
  25. [25]
    Al Lawson wins 5th House District Democratic primary over Corrine ...
    Aug 30, 2016 · JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- In a contentious race for the U.S. 5th District Congressional seat, incumbent Corrine Brown lost the Democratic ...
  26. [26]
    Al Lawson Beats Rep. Corrine Brown In District 5 Democratic Primary
    Aug 30, 2016 · Former Democratic State Senator Al Lawson defeated 12-term District 5 Congresswoman Corrine Brown in the Democratic primary Tuesday night.
  27. [27]
    Gloreatha Scurry-Smith - Ballotpedia
    Gloreatha "Glo" Scurry-Smith was a 2016 Republican candidate who sought election to the US House to represent the 5th Congressional District of Florida.
  28. [28]
    Lawson outperforms Brown in race for Congress
    US Rep. Al Lawson overpowered former Mayor Alvin Brown in Tuesday's Democratic primary as Lawson tried to march toward a second term in Congress.
  29. [29]
    2018 Florida US House - District 5 Election Results - USA Today
    Nov 6, 2018 · Candidate, Total Votes, % Votes. Al Lawson (D) *, 180,527, 66.8%. Virginia Fuller (R), 89,799, 33.2%. County-By-County Results Map.
  30. [30]
    Lawson Wins Re-election Bid To Congress - WFSU News
    Nov 6, 2018 · Challenger Virginia Fuller (R) was no match for incumbent Rep. Al Lawson (D). Lawson won re-election in Florida's fifth congressional ...Missing: results | Show results with:results
  31. [31]
    https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/08/18/us/elections/results-florida-house-district-5-primary-election.html
  32. [32]
    2020 Florida Primary Election Results: Fifth Congressional District
    Aug 19, 2020 · Source: Election results and race calls from The Associated Press. By Sarah Almukhtar, Michael Andre, Aliza Aufrichtig, Matthew Bloch, ...
  33. [33]
    Congressional race pits political vet Al Lawson and novice Gary Adler
    The race pits a seasoned politician against a first-time candidate to hold a seat representing people in 8 counties of the 5th Congressional District.
  34. [34]
    2020 Florida US House - District 5 Election Results
    Nov 3, 2020 · Candidate, Total Votes, % Votes. Al Lawson (D) *, 219,463, 65.1%. Gary Adler (R), 117,510, 34.9%. County-By-County Results Map. Democratic ...
  35. [35]
    [PDF] Federal Elections 2020 - FEC
    Page 1. F ederal. Elections 2020. Election Results for the. U.S. President, the. U.S. Senate and the. U.S. House of. Representatives. Page 2. FEDERAL ELECTIONS ...
  36. [36]
    2022 Florida US House - District 2 Election Results
    Nov 8, 2022 · Al Lawson (D) *, 121,120, 40.2%. County-By-County Results Map. Democratic Lead. Republican Lead. Other Lead. Tied / Runoff. No Election. No ...
  37. [37]
    Dunn defeats Lawson in 2nd Congressional Race - WCTV
    Nov 8, 2022 · The Associated Press called the race for Dunn as he lead Lawson 60% to 40% in the newly drawn North Florida district that pitted two ...
  38. [38]
    Committee on Small Business - Congressional Black Caucus
    Al Lawson (D-FL-05). Subscribe. Stay Connected. Subscribe · Congressional Black Caucus. About Us · About the CBC · About the Chair · CBC Leadership · Membership ...
  39. [39]
    Rep. Al Lawson [D-FL5, 2017-2022], former Representative for Florida's 5th Congressional District - GovTrack.us
    ### Summary of Al Lawson's Legislative Effectiveness
  40. [40]
    https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/al_lawson/412693/report-card/2018
  41. [41]
    Rep. Al Lawson's 2018 Report Card - GovTrack.us
    Year-end 2018 legislative statistics for Rep. Lawson [D-FL5, 2017-2022], the Representative from Florida.<|control11|><|separator|>
  42. [42]
    Rep. Al Lawson, Jr. | US Congress 2017-2018 | TrackBill
    LAWSON, Alfred Jr., a Representative from Florida; born in Midway, Gadsden County, Fla., September 23, 1948; graduated from Havana Northside High School, ...Missing: timeline | Show results with:timeline
  43. [43]
    Congressman Lawson: Trump Leadership Lacking - WGCU
    Jul 21, 2017 · North Florida Democratic Congressman Al Lawson says he's fighting for a bi-partisan agreement to rescue the Affordable Care Act, ...
  44. [44]
    U.S. Rep. Al Lawson: Change will come, someday, for Obamacare
    Jul 6, 2017 · "I don't care whose name is on it," the freshman Democrat said of the law guiding national health care. Lawson said he's still pushing revisions ...
  45. [45]
    Al Lawson on the Issues - OnTheIssues.org
    Al Lawson on Abortion. Click here for 2 full quotes on Abortion OR background on Abortion. Ban anti-abortion limitations on abortion services. (Mar 2017) ...
  46. [46]
    Neal Dunn vs. Al Lawson: Head to head on U.S. House District 2 ...
    Oct 24, 2022 · Gov. Ron DeSantis' redesigned Congressional District 2 pits Panama City Republican Dunn and Democrat Lawson of Tallahassee in an incumbent versus incumbent ...Missing: domestic | Show results with:domestic
  47. [47]
    On guns, Al Lawson is not an orthodox Democrat - Florida Politics
    Feb 20, 2018 · The race between incumbent U.S. Rep. Al Lawson and former Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown, as of this week, is focused on the issue of guns.
  48. [48]
    Florida congressman on defense over gun record in Democratic ...
    Mar 19, 2018 · Rep. Al Lawson said an alleged NRA donation was a clerical mistake, in which his staff entered a code for the wrong organization.
  49. [49]
    Florida U.S. Rep. Al Lawson takes heat for voting to cut off debate ...
    Dec 13, 2018 · Al Lawson is coming under fire for being one of a handful of Congressional Democrats who voted this week for a stealthy measure that killed any ...
  50. [50]
    Al Lawson breaks with Dems, backs continued U.S. war in Yemen
    Rep. Al Lawson was just one of five House Dems to support continuing U.S. involvement in a Yemen war called genocidal by critics.
  51. [51]
    Democrats Vote With Republicans to Block Yemen Vote - Newsweek
    Dec 12, 2018 · The 206-203 vote was largely divided along party lines, but 18 Republicans voted against the measure. Democratic Representatives Jim Costa of ...
  52. [52]
    Rep. Al Lawson - Florida District 05 - OpenSecrets
    [Return to all bills sponsored by Al Lawson]. Committee, Last Action, Date of Last Action. Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. 09/15/20. See ...
  53. [53]
    Members of Congress Speak Out Against Annexation
    As a strong supporter of Israel, I'm concerned Israel may unilaterally annex West Bank territories which could harm prospects for sustainable peace & security.
  54. [54]
    Facts For All - Vote Smart
    Rating: Al Lawson was rated 93% by End Citizens United (Positions). 03/28/2024. Rating: Al Lawson was rated 80% by Foreign Policy For America (Positions). 03 ...
  55. [55]
    Al Lawson, Glo Smith Disagree Over Military Spending, Trade At ...
    Oct 12, 2016 · On Wednesday, Lawson said his top three priorities are education, the environment and jobs. Smith put jobs first, followed by military affairs ...Missing: foreign | Show results with:foreign
  56. [56]
    Florida redistricting 2022: Congressional maps by district - CNN
    Nov 8, 2022 · Florida's new congressional map, drawn by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, likely gives the GOP an advantage in at least 18 out of 28 districts.
  57. [57]
    Congressman Al Lawson responds to Governor's redistricting maps
    May 26, 2022 · What the governor is doing, in my opinion, is illegal and it's not constitutional,” said Lawson. His district runs from Gadsden County to ...
  58. [58]
    Federal Court Upholds Florida's Congressional Map That Eliminated ...
    Mar 27, 2024 · In a unanimous opinion handed down this evening, a federal three-judge panel upheld Florida's congressional districts, rejecting a lawsuit ...Missing: controversy | Show results with:controversy
  59. [59]
    In boon for House GOP, Florida Supreme Court sides with DeSantis ...
    Jul 17, 2025 · Al Lawson, a Black Democrat, and was initially put in place by the state Supreme Court 10 years ago. Lawson was elected in a district that ...
  60. [60]
    Al Lawson blasts congressional redistricting proposal from Florida ...
    Al Lawson blasts congressional redistricting proposal from Florida Gov. DeSantis · 'To release that plan on MLK Day is just insensitive' · More in Politics ...
  61. [61]
    Al Lawson weighs in on redistricting push - POLITICO
    Aug 15, 2025 · AL LAWSON knows what it's like to have a congressional district upended by redistricting. The North Florida Democrat got elected to Congress in ...
  62. [62]
    Tallahassee's Al Lawson says he may run for Florida governor in 2026
    Aug 2, 2025 · What's Al Lawson's political history? Lawson was first elected in 1982 to the Florida House in pre-term limits days, serving there for 18 years.
  63. [63]
    Former US Rep. Al Lawson of Tallahassee eyes Florida governor ...
    Aug 2, 2025 · In an email to supporters, former U.S. Rep. and longtime state lawmaker Al Lawson Jr. says he's mulling a run for Florida governor in 2026.