Local Leaders Proclaim a Change is Needed in Congress
MARIANNA, FL – At a meeting of local leaders on Thursday evening in Marianna, the Jackson County Association of Mayors (JCAM) unanimously voted to endorse state Senator Al Lawson in his race for Congress against 14-year incumbent Allen Boyd.
The Jackson County Association of Mayors is an organization of municipal leaders in the county. The voting membership is comprised of all eleven city and town mayors of Jackson County.
The JCAM member municipalities include the Towns of Alford, Bascom, Campbellton, Cottondale, Grand Ridge, Greenwood, Malone and Sneads and the Cities of Graceville, Jacob City and Marianna.
“The Jackson County Association of Mayors is proud to unanimously vote to endorse Al Lawson for Congress,” said Malone Mayor Gene Wright, chairman of the JCAM. “Al Lawson has always stood with Jackson County, and we are proud to now stand with Al Lawson to be our next Congressman.”
The JCAM endorsement of Al Lawson comes in the final days of a heated campaign for Congress. The announcement serves as a blow to the Boyd campaign, who has tried to proclaim Jackson County as his stronghold.
“An endorsement is only as good as the men and women who give it,” said Lawson. “The members of the JCAM are on the ground, talking to the people who will be voting on Tuesday. We are going to win this election next week, and the mayors and the people of Jackson County will be a part of that victory.”
Avoid the long lines on Election Day and take advantage of Early Voting!
Bay County – Aug. 9-21 — 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Election Center, 830 W. 11th St., Panama City, FL
Public Library, 12500 Hutchison Blvd., Panama City, FL
Parker City Hall, 935 W. Park St., Parker, FL
Calhoun County – Aug. 9-21 — 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Supervisor of Elections, 20859 Central Ave. E, Blountstown, FL
Dixie County – Aug. 9-21 — 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Supervisor of Elections, 214 NE 351 Hwy, Ste. B, Cross City, FL
Franklin County – Aug. 9-21 — 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Supervisor of Elections, 47 Ave F, Apalachicola, FL
Gadsen County -
Aug. 9-13 — 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Aug. 14 — 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Aug. 15 — 1:00 – 4:00 PM
Aug. 16-20 — 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Aug. 21 — 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Supervisor of Elections, 16 S. Madison St., Quincy, FL
Havana Public Library, 203 E. 5th Ave., Havana, FL
Chattahoochee Public Library, 300 Maple St., Chattahoochee, FL
Midway City Hall, 500 MLK Blvd, Midway, FL
Gulf County
Elections Office, 401 Long Ave., Port St. Joe, FL — Aug. 9-21 — 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (EST)
Wewahitchka Library, 314 N 2nd St., Wewahitchka, FL — Aug. 9-21 — 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (CST)
Jackson County – Aug. 9-21 — 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Supervisor of Elections, 2851 Jefferson St., Marianna, FL 32448
Sneads City Hall, 2028 Third Ave., Sneads, FL
Graceville City Hall, 5348 Cliff St., Graceville, FL
Jefferson County – Aug. 9-21 — 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Supervisor of Elections, 380 W. Dogwood St., Monticello, FL
Lafayette County – Aug. 9-21 — 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Supervisor of Elections, 120 W. Main St., Rm. 129, Mayo, FL
Leon County
Leon County Courthouse, 301 S. Monroe St., Tallahassee, FL
Aug. 9-13 — 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Aug. 15 — 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Aug. 16-20 — 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Aug. 21 — 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Leon County NE Library, 5513 Thomasville Rd., Tallahassee, FL
Aug. 9-13 — 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Aug. 15 — 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Aug. 16-20 — 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Aug. 21 — 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Ft. Braden Library, 16327 Blountstown Hwy, Tallahassee, FL
Aug. 9-13 — 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Aug. 15 — 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Aug. 16-20 — 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Aug. 21 — 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Woodville Library, 8000 Old Woodville Rd., Tallahassee, FL
Aug. 9-13 — 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Aug. 15 — 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Aug. 16-20 — 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Aug. 21 — 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Liberty County – Aug. 9-21 — 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
20859 Central Ave E, Blountstown, FL
Okaloosa County – Aug. 9-21 — 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Supervisor of Elections, 302 Wilson St. N, Ste. 102, Crestview, FL
UF Research Facility, 1350 N. Poquito Rd., Shalimar, FL
Sikes Public Library, 1445 Commerce Dr., Crestview, FL
Suwannee County – Aug. 9-21 — 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Supervisor of Elections, 220 Pine Ave. SW, Live Oak, FL
Branford Library, 703 Suwannee Ave. NW, Branford, FL
Taylor County Aug. 9-21 — 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Supervisor of Elections, 108 N. Jefferson St., Ste. 202, Perry, FL
Wakulla County Aug. 9-21 –TBD
TBD
Walton County Aug. 9-21 — 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Supervisor of Elections, 571 US Hwy 90 E, DeFuniak Springs, FL
Satellite Office, 31 Coastal Centre Blvd., Ste. 300, Santa Rosa Beach, FL
Nonpartisan watchdog group highlights Boyd’s financial support from BP
TALLAHASSEE – Following a meeting with the Tallahassee Democrat Editorial Board where BP’s past support of 14-year Congressman Allen Boyd was discussed, Boyd is now trying to distance himself from the oil giant responsible for the worst environmental disaster in American history.
The Sunlight Foundation, a nonpartisan watchdog group, recently compiled a list of members of Congress who held campaign fundraisers where lobbyists from BP were listed as hosts. The second name on that list was seven-term Congressman Allen Boyd.
The fundraiser cited by the Sunlight Foundation was held on June 25, 2008 at Charlie Palmer Steak in Washington DC. The invitation specifically solicited money from Political Action Committees (PACs). Official campaign finance records show that the Boyd for Congress campaign raised $6,500 on that day, all from PACs.
Campaign finance records also show that Congressman Boyd carried over more than $1 million from his 2008 account to be used in 2010.
In yesterday’s article of the Tallahassee Democrat, Congressman Boyd carefully parsed his words, saying that he had never accepted money from BP or its executives. Boyd, however, refused to deny that he accepted money from a BP lobbyist.
“The only thing worse that Congressman Boyd taking money from a BP lobbyist is him now trying to cover it up,” said Al Lawson, who is challenging Boyd in the Democratic primary for Florida’s 2nd Congressional District.
Boyd’s history is very consistent with his support of the oil industry. In addition to accepting campaign contributions from a BP lobbyist, Congressman Boyd has taken enormous amounts of campaign money from big oil interests. Campaign finance records show that Boyd has accepted $62,200 from big oil interests since 1999.
In 2006, Congressman Boyd voted for the landmark offshore oil drilling bill, which opened up the federal waters where the Deep Horizons explosion occurred.
During his time in the Florida Legislature, Al Lawson has always opposed offshore oil drilling.
Prominent organization representing Florida law enforcement endorses Lawson over Boyd
TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Police Benevolent Association (PBA) announced its endorsement of Al Lawson for Florida’s 2nd Congressional District. The Florida PBA represents 36,000 law enforcement and correctional officers from throughout the State of Florida.
The PBA’s support comes on the heels of the endorsement of Corrections U.S.A. (CUSA), the largest organization of correctional officers in the nation.
“I am humbled to have the support of Florida’s law enforcement officers,” said Lawson. “These brave men and women are the true heroes of our community, and I am honored they stand with me in my candidacy for the United States Congress.”
Al Lawson has served in the Florida Legislature and during his time has been a strong supporter of law enforcement and public safety issues.
“The Florida Police Benevolent Association is proud to endorse Al Lawson for the United States Congress. He is a dear friend to our membership and a strong advocate on behalf of law enforcement officers, correctional officers, public employees and their families. Now more than ever, we need Al Lawson in Washington standing up for the people of North Florida,” said John Rivera, President of the Florida PBA.
Al Lawson faces 14-year Congressman Allen Boyd in the Democratic primary election for Florida’s 2nd Congressional District. The primary election will be held August 24th, and the general election is November 2nd.