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.”

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

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.

TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Police Benevolent Association (PBA)  announced its endorsement of Al Lawson for Florida’s 2^nd 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 2^nd Congressional District.  The primary election will be held August 24^th, and the general election is November 2^nd.

TALLAHASSEE – Today, Corrections U.S.A. (CUSA) announced its endorsement of Al Lawson for Florida’s 2^nd Congressional District. CUSA, the largest national organization of correctional officers representing 80,000 members throughout the country, is Lawson’s first major endorsement in his run for Congress.

“I am honored to have received the endorsement of the correctional officers in this district,” said Lawson.  “There are a lot of correctional officers in North Florida that work hard every day to keep our communities safe. I appreciate their confidence in me, and I will do everything possible to represent them well in 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 correctional officers.  Most recently, Lawson fought to prevent the closure of the Apalachee Correctional Institute in Sneads, Florida.

“Florida’s correctional officers have no better friend in the Florida Legislature than Senator Al Lawson,” said national vice chair Roy Pinto.

“For years, Al Lawson has stood with correctional officers and their families, and in this race for Congress, we are proud to stand with Al,” said James Baiardi, national chair of CUSA.

Al Lawson faces 14-year Congressman Allen Boyd in the Democratic primary election for Florida’s 2^nd Congressional District.  The primary election will be held August 24^th and the general election is November 2^nd.

WASHINGTON, DC – As reported by the St. Petersburg Times, seven-term Blue Dog Congressman Allen Boyd (D-Wall Street) voted with big corporate and special interests in upholding the controversial Supreme Court decision, Citizen United v. Federal Election Commission. The bill passed 219-206.

Yesterday, the U.S. Congress passed HR 5175, entitled the DISCLOSE Act, which would require greater transparency by corporate and special interests in political advertising. Congressman Allen Boyd voted against the bill and for more corporate and special interest political spending.

“It’s unfortunate that Congressman Boyd again chose to side with Wall Street over Main Street,” said Senator Al Lawson.  “We need less special interest money in politics, not more. This is just another example that after 14 years in Washington, Congressman Boyd has totally lost touch with North Florida values.”

Congressman Allen Boyd’s campaign has been fueled by special interest money, enabling him to run slick television ads since last October. In recent months, Boyd has used that same special interest money to run negative attack ads against his primary opponent Al Lawson. The content of Boyd’s ads were recently refuted by the nonpartisan, nonprofit FactCheck.org, who claimed the ads falsely accused Lawson while exaggerating Boyd’s own record.

Time: 11:30AM-3:00pm

Location: 225 East Jennings St. Tallahassee, FL 32301

We would like to invite our supporters to join us for our campaign office grand opening this Saturday. We will be having hamburgers and hot dogs. For more information contact our office (850) 222-0710

Link to the Event on Facebook

TALLAHASSEE, FL – Despite Republican criticism and obstructionism, Senator Al Lawson applauded and re-affirmed his solid/unwavering support for the Obama Economic Plan.

“People forget where we were just fifteen months ago,” said Lawson while addressing supporters at a private luncheon today.  “We stood at the brink of a financial Armageddon.  Yet despite a ‘do-nothing’ Republicans, the Obama economic program is working.  Today’s reported 5.7% GDP (gross domestic product) growth rate can only be interpreted a smashing success, and I applaud the President for his bold vision and his courage to see it through.”

“However, the president needs more help, especially from those in his own party, if this success is to continue,” he added.  “Blue Dog Democrats like Allen Boyd, who have been standing with the Tea Party, obstructionist wing of the Republican Party, block everything from health Care reform, to Cabinet appointments and in particular the stimulus package.”

“If we want more jobs, and real growth for Florida, if we want America to succeed, then we need a Congressman who won’t run and hide when things get tough.  We need a Congressman who will stand proudly with our President.  We need a Congressman who can do more than ‘just say no’.  I stand with our President and the people of Florida, and by now I think we all know where Allen Boyd stands.”

Dr. King was a great American because he reminded us that all people are equal men and women who deserve to be treated with respect. And ultimately he gave his life for this cause.  There is no doubt that America is a greater nation today because of our diversity and mutual respect for one another regardless of one’s race, religion or creed.  And of course, we would have never elected the first African American President in 2008 if it hadn’t been for Martin Luther King, Jr.  The legacy and dream of Dr. King lives on today.

But while Dr. King spoke to us of a dream, today we cannot forget the nightmare being experienced by those in Haiti.  Martin Luther King taught us to treat our fellow brothers and sisters, regardless of race or nationality, with respect and dignity.  If he were here today, there is no doubt in my mind that Dr. King would be leading the relief efforts in Haiti. Please make a donation today to help Haiti in honor of a great American – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush have joined together to head the leading Haiti-relief organization.  By giving to the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund, you can be assured that your money is being spent wisely and where it can be most helpful to the people of Haiti. Please give today to the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund.

http://www.clintonbushhaitifund.org/

Today we celebrate a great man – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. What better way to honor his memory than by doing a great deed. Please help the people of Haiti today!

Sincerely,

Al