Florida Times-Union endorses Lawson for U.S. House general election

The editorial board of the Florida Times-Union in Jacksonville has endorsed FAMU alumnus Alfred “Al” Lawson in the general election race for the Fifth Congressional District of Florida (CD5) seat. Lawson previously received the Time-Union’s endorsement for the Democratic primary, which he won against incumbent U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown on August 30.

Lawson will face Republican nominee Glo Smith in the general election on November 8.

From the Times-Union:

Raised in a small town in Gadsden County, Lawson is a black Democrat who has been repeatedly elected from largely white, rural districts. Yet he also has a strong record on civil rights, education, public safety, jobs, housing and other issues that are high priorities among Jacksonville’s African-American voters.

Lawson is a rock-ribbed supporter of the Second Amendment, but he recognizes the need to put reasonable restraints on the accessibility of assault weapons that are now being used to kill citizens and police officers alike.

Lawson has a strong record on environmental rights: He’s pledged to be a vigorous champion for the St. Johns River in Congress, and he previously used his role chairing the Florida House’s Committee on Natural Resources to craft legislation to protect Apalachicola Bay.

Yet Lawson has also run successful businesses as a private citizen and knows there can be a comfortable balance between responsibly safeguarding our environment and allowing industries, which provide employment and boost economic development, to thrive.

There’s little doubt Lawson would be a hard-working member of Congress, one capable of quickly earning the trust and respect necessary to serve the 5th Congressional District well.

He would represent a refreshing change from the polarizing Brown, who served 12 often-stormy terms in Congress and is now facing trial on numerous charges, including mail and wire fraud.

Read the full endorsement here.