Lawson qualifies for CD5 primary with more than 2,000 petition signatures

On April 21, 2016, former Florida Senate Minority Leader Alfred “Al” Lawson announced that he had qualified by petition for the upcoming Democratic primary in the Fifth Congressional District of Florida (CD5).

In order to qualify, Lawson had to have 2,298 verified petitions. He has now exceeded this amount and met the petition qualifications.

“I have always thought that the voice of the people was the most important. I am very honored to have their support, and will continue to look out for the interests of North Florida,” Lawson said. “It’s a privilege to have their backing.”

Lawson also hinted that his campaign will take incumbent U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown, who has represented CD5 since 1992, to task for her comments about the redrawn district map. CD5 formerly ran north-south from Duval County to Orange County. But the new CD5 map approved by the Florida Supreme Court in 2015 runs from Duval to Gadsden Counties. CD5 remains a minority-access seat with about 45 percent black voters. 

“Jacksonville Florida has nothing in common with North Florida,” Brown said of the new CD5 map last year.

But Lawson said he disagreed.

“She might not understand geography that much,” Lawson said. “But this is North Florida. Jacksonville is North Florida. So is Tallahassee.”

According to an article in the Florida Times-Union on Friday, Lawson plans to campaign in Jacksonville this week.

“All too often, elected officials lose touch with the real issues affecting their districts. I want to make sure that the person representing my district has the people’s best interest at heart,” Lawson said.

The primary election for CD5 will take place on August 30, 2016.