Tallahassee Mayoral Election
$618.95
AUG 19, 2026
General Election
Voters choose the office holder.
Overview
Current roleFormer U.S. Representative
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyModerate Democrat
Age77 years old (Sep 23, 1948)
GenderMale
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LocationFlorida
BackgroundPolitician
EducationFlorida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) — B.A., Political Science
Notable personal detailsAlfred James Lawson Jr. is an American politician and businessman who served as the U.S. representative for Florida's 5th congressional district from 2017 to 2023. He previously served in the Florida Legislature for nearly three decades, including in the Florida House (1982–2000) and Florida Senate (2000–2010), where he was Democratic Leader. He is from North Florida and has been based in the Tallahassee area, and he earned a bachelor's degree in political science from Florida A&M University.
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Positions
Healthcare
Al Lawson supports protecting the Affordable Care Act and expanding access to health care, including improving access to quality care and increased funding for mental health. He has opposed repealing the ACA and backed federal measures to direct COVID‑relief and other funding to support health services.
Immigration & Border
Has supported expanded legal pathways for immigrants (including votes or statements favoring pathways to citizenship and increases in visa caps) while also expressing support for some stricter border enforcement measures in other statements. Public record therefore contains both pro-regularization and enforcement-leaning signals on immigration.
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Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports protecting and expanding abortion access at the federal level, including votes for legislation to codify Roe-era protections and preserve interstate access to abortion. Has voted in favor of the Women’s Health Protection Act / related measures and the Ensuring Access to Abortion Act.
Climate & Energy
Al Lawson has a pro-environment record that includes sponsoring land-preservation legislation, opposing near- and offshore drilling, and serving on a state Energy Action Team to develop a long-term climate and energy plan. As a U.S. Representative he has supported clean energy investments and climate resilience measures and received high pro-environment scores from environmental groups. His record indicates support for renewable energy and conservation while accepting pragmatic, incremental policy approaches rather than radical fossil-fuel phase-out proposals.
Public Safety & Guns
Supports expanded background checks and some firearm restrictions while maintaining respect for lawful gun ownership. Has expressed frustration with the influence of the gun lobby, supports restrictions on assault weapons, voted for bipartisan background-check legislation, and voted against concealed-carry reciprocity and other measures seen as expanding gun access.
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 20262022
2024
2026
LatestCycle 2022
Cycle 2024
Cycle 2026
Source: FEC
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We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
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