The Florida Democratic Party might not like it, but Al Lawson -- politically skillful and ever popular in the Tallahassee area -- doesn't want to be counted out of the congressional District 2 race.
The party is putting its efforts in that district into attorney Gwen Graham, daughter of the former governor and senator.
Lawson, the party's 2012 District 2 nominee, told CQ Roll Call in a story Tuesday morning that he will decide in the next 30-60 days whether to jump into the primary.
Said National Republican Congressional Committee spokesperson Katie Prill in a written statement,"This cant be good news for Nancy Pelosi and her Washington friends who see the threat of a Lawson/Graham primary and would rather let their handpicked candidate Graham slip through to the general election."
But the former state senator first said he would decide in June, now he claims to be looking at August or Semptember to make his decision. Speculation is, he wants a deal to stay out of the race, keeping the Democratic primary clear for Graham.
Lawson clearly doesn't like the party counting him out this early. Nor is he, apparently, any fan of Graham's father Bob, who would not contribute to or support past campaigns. They say theyre not going to get involved, but (Graham's) father knows a lot of people who can give money, he said in his Roll Call interview.
Lawson was unavailable for comment Tuesday morning.
Im interested, Lawson said when Roll Call asked if he would run again.
Florida District 2 is a target House seat for the Dems. They believe the incumbent, Steve Southerland, whose amendment on the SNAP program was partially blamed for killing the farm bill last month, is vulnerable and beatable. Southerland beat Lawson by 6 points in 2012.
State and national Democrats are high on Grahams chances against tea party favorite Southerland. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee wasted no time naming her to its Jumpstart program -- something reserved only for the party's top recruits.
Graham has already proved she is a strong fundraiser -- a problem area for Lawson. Graham, meanwhile, reeled in more than $375,000 in the second quarter -- her first in the race -- and will report more than $300,000 in cash on hand.
Said the NRCC's Prill, Nancy Pelosi and Washington Democrats want to force Gwen Graham and her liberal Howard Dean-style politics on Florida families without giving them a choice in the primary process. Gwen Graham should welcome Al Lawson into the primary race and let the voters decide. Its time for Graham to stop pushing Nancy Pelosis will on the families of Floridas 2nd Congressional District.
Lawson has said he has better name recognition in the area than Graham and has the support of lobbying groups telling him not to throw in the towel. He said he is trying to schedule a trip to Washington to meet with people who supported him two years ago -- House Assistant Minority Leader James E. Clyburn and Florida Reps. Corrine Brown and Peter Deutsch.
Reach Nancy Smith at nsmith@sunshinestatenews.com or at 228-282-2423.
