According to the Associated Press, FAMU alumnus Alfred “Al” Lawson has lost his bid to unseat Congressman Allen Boyd by a narrow margin. With 98 percent of Panhandle precincts reporting, Boyd had 51.4 percent to Lawson’s 48.6."I also want to sincerely congratulate Al Lawson for running a strong campaign," Boyd said in a victory message. "He has a long record of service to the people of North Florida, and he will continue to be an important community leader. Senator Lawson and I took up many fights together in the state legislature, and I look forward to working together as we move forward."
Lawson, the Florida Senate Minority leader, was outspent nearly 20-1 as he challenged a well-funded 14- year incumbent. Despite being barraged with a ton of negative ads against him, Lawson kept his campaign positive.
In the race for the Democratic nomination for the state senate seat Lawson is exiting, the Florida Freedom Newsire reports that former Leon County Schools Superientendent Bill Montford has defeated former state Rep. Curtis Richardson.