"Mr. Lawson served 18 years in the Florida House and 10 years in the Senate, before being term-limited out in 2010," the editorial board wrote. "In that time, he was an advocate for government workers and for the state universities, which form the heart of this community’s economy and culture."
"His views are pure Democratic, but if anyone can reach across the aisle, it is Al Lawson," the editorial board continued. "He has worked with Republicans out of necessity (as in the Legislature) and has withheld support from Democrats out of personal choice (as in 2010, when he backed independent Charlie Crist for the U.S. Senate)."
The Democrat also endorsed Lawson's successful bid for the Democratic Party's nomination.