Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiMarch 28, 2018

Former Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown, a candidate for Congress in Florida’s 5th Congressional District, is promoting what he calls on Twitter a “big fundraiser” Wednesday evening. He will be accompanied by Missouri Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, a Congressional Black Caucus member who endorsed Brown over incumbent Democratic Rep. Al Lawson. Lawson, a Democrat from Tallahassee, is seen by many Jacksonville […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 19, 2018

Federal holidays don’t stop the hard hits in the Democratic primary for Florida’s 5th Congressional District. On Monday, as has been the case for weeks, challenger Alvin Brown laid into Rep. Al Lawson. Then Lawson hit back. Then Brown hit back, yet again. All of this over a $2,500 donation from the gun lobby that Brown says […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 16, 2018

What’s clear: former Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown has a strategy to win the Democratic primary against Rep. Al Lawson in Florida’s 5th Congressional District. Brown is running a TV ad in Tallahassee, Lawson’s home base, proclaiming Lawson to be President Donald Trump‘s “favorite Democrat.” [SEE THE AD HERE] The ad juxtaposes Trump approving of Lawson applauding him during the State of […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 30, 2018

Day one of the nascent CD 5 primary campaign between incumbent Congressman Al Lawson and former Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown hasn’t lacked for fireworks. Late this morning, in response to Brown entering the race, Lawson blasted the Jacksonville Democrat as being a careerist looking for his next gig, after failing as mayor. “Alvin failed as mayor,” Lawson […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 8, 2016

Northeast Florida will have a completely new Congressional delegation in January, as the Associated Press has called the races in its two districts, and both were won by candidates looking to bridge the partisan divide. As widely expected, Republican John Rutherford downed Democrat David Bruderly in the 4th Congressional District: 280,319 to 110,257 (70 percent to 28 percent) […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 3, 2016

Congressional District 5 residents and interested parties will have to be in Tallahassee to party with Al Lawson on Election Night. However, to donate to the campaign, one can be anywhere. And Lawson, a veteran legislator and professional lobbyist, has proven adept at securing capital. From Oct. 20 to Nov. 3, Lawson has secured $59,400 in […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 31, 2016

The race between Republican Glo Smith and Democrat Al Lawson in Florida’s 5th Congressional District has defied traditional partisan contours down the stretch. Smith, appearing on WJXT’s “This Week in Jacksonville” Sunday, positioned herself less as a Republican than as the sole impediment to Tallahassee controlling the traditionally Jacksonville-based seat. Smith alluded to having productive […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 24, 2016

With time running short in the battle to succeed Corrine Brown as the representative from Florida’s 5th Congressional District, both Republican Glo Smith and Democrat Al Lawson continue to raise money. Smith, who had $11,908 on hand as of her October quarterly report, nearly doubled that sum via five donations made between Oct. 22-24 totaling $11,100. Lawson, meanwhile, had almost […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 17, 2016

Al Lawson, a former member of the Florida House and Senate and onetime the “Dean of the Legislature,” appears financially well-positioned down the stretch in his race in Florida’s 5th Congressional District. As of the October quarterly report, Lawson had $79,309 on hand. Lawson’s $79,309 is well ahead of the cash-on-hand of his GOP opponent, Glo […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 10, 2016

If the cavalry is riding in to give Congressional District 5 Republican Glo Smith a boost before the Election Day, it needs to get moving. Smith’s latest campaign finance report, filed Monday, reveals her campaign is short on resources, especially given the far-flung nature of CD 5, which sprawls from Jacksonville to Tallahassee. From Aug. 11 to […]

Tag: CD 5
Image via David Silvers.

Congressional hopeful Alvin Brown promotes ‘big fundraiser’ in Jacksonville Wednesday

Alvin Brown hammers Al Lawson for taking NRA ‘blood money’

Alvin Brown links Al Lawson to Donald Trump in Tallahassee ad buy

Alvin Brown camp blasts ‘privileged Congressman’ Al Lawson

New bipartisan era begins for Jacksonville in U.S. Congress

Al Lawson enjoys five-to-one money edge over Glo Smith in CD 5 race

Al Lawson expands cash lead over Glo Smith in CD 5 race

Glo Smith, Al Lawson continue fundraising in CD 5 contest

Al Lawson leads Glo Smith in CD 5 cash dash

CD 5 Republican Glo Smith had under $12K on-hand at September’s end