WASHINGTON, DC—The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) Action Fund, which works to elect candidates who will implement sound environmental policies, announced today its endorsement of Al Lawson for Congress (FL-5). Lawson has been at the forefront of the efforts to protect Florida’s environment and reduce the impacts of climate change.

“Senator Al Lawson has made it clear throughout his many decades of outstanding public service that safeguarding Florida’s environment for our kids and grandkids will always be one of his top priorities,” said LCV Action Fund President Gene Karpinski. “He has long recognized the severe impacts that climate change is having on Florida, and that those impacts will only get worse the longer we wait to act. We are excited to have him come to Washington to continue this critical fight.”

“Throughout his years in Tallahassee, Senator Al Lawson always put the needs and health of Florida’s families, economy and environment first,” said Florida Conservation Voters Executive Director Aliki Moncrief. “From sponsoring one of our state’s most important conservation programs, to protecting our coasts and waterways, to investing in clean, renewable energy, Senator Lawson has been a champion and true environmental leader.”

“I’m thrilled to have the support of the LCV Action Fund in this race,” said Lawson. “For years in the state legislature, I fought for environmental protection measures to ensure the preservation of some of Florida’s most beautiful natural resources. I look forward to continuing this fight in Congress. Receiving this endorsement is truly an honor.” 

In 1982, Al Lawson was elected to the Florida House of Representatives. He served for 18 years and was then elected to the Florida Senate in 2000. Lawson served in the state Senate until 2010 and rose to the position of Minority Leader. As Chairman of the Natural Resources Committee in the Florida House of Representatives, Lawson sponsored Preservation 2000, the predecessor to the Florida Forever land preservation program, which has purchased more than 2.5 million acres of environmentally sensitive land over the years.  He championed legislation to put environmental education in the Florida public school curriculum and protected the Apalachicola Bay. In the state Senate, Lawson served as Chairman of the Environmental Preservation and Conservation Committee, and Governor Charlie Crist appointed him to serve on the Energy Action Team which worked to develop a long-term climate action plan for the state.

In 2009, he sponsored legislation to successfully close the real estate transfer tax loophole, which made money available to help continue Florida Forever. He has consistently opposed near- and offshore drilling, and following the 2010 BP oil spill, he asked the governor to call a Special Session so that the state could pass an amendment permanently banning ‘near-shore’ drilling around the coast. He also asked that Congress pass into law an order to suspend all deep water drilling in and around the Gulf of Mexico, as well as requiring all future exploration to be pre-approved. Lawson also asked that additional mechanisms be put in place on oil rigs to minimize the chances of a similar situation occurring in the future. Finally, he asked that oil companies post bonds when drilling, so that they will immediately be held financially responsible for any spill and subsequent harm caused.

Lawson is featured on LCV Action Fund’s GiveGreen website, the only bundling website devoted exclusively to raising money for environmental champions for federal office.

About LCV Action Fund

The League of Conservation Voters Action Fund (LCVAF), the connected federal political action committee (PAC) of the League of Conservation Voters, works to elect candidates who will implement sound environmental laws and policies, and defeat those who stand in the way of progress. Since the 1994 election cycle, LCVAF has helped elect and re-elect 69 U.S. Senators and 306 members of the U.S. House of Representatives.  In the 2013-2014 election cycle, LCVAF endorsed over 70 candidates and raised and donated almost $6 million dollars via GiveGreen. Over the last several years, our efforts have also helped elevate climate change and clean energy as critical issues in key elections. 

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Paid for by the League of Conservation Voters Action Fund and authorized by Al Lawson for Congress.