Lawson Desginated Next Senate Democratic Leader

State Senator Alfred "Al" Lawson Jr. (D-Tallahassee) on May 1 was unanimously designated by the 14-member Senate Democratic Caucus as leader for the 2008-2010 term.

"I am honored to be unanimously selected by my colleagues as the Democratic Leader Designate," said Lawson. "I look forward to the months ahead and to working hard to place us in a position to be competitive in the 2008 Senate races. I am committed to providing strong leadership for my colleagues on issues that are important to them and the constituents they represent."

A lawmaker known as much for his soaring height as his moderate positions, Lawson is a native of Midway, a small rural farming community located midway between Quincy and Tallahassee. His first job was in the tobacco fields of Gadsden County, an area of his district which he continues to represent.

Lawson is a 1970 graduate of Florida A&M University, where he played "Rattler" basketball and ran track. He is also a 1973 graduate of Florida State University and was a basketball coach at the university.

First elected to the House of Representatives in1982, Lawson's move to the Senate came in 2000. He currently chairs the Senate Governmental Operations Committee.

An insurance agent by profession, Lawson is also president of his own marketing and communications firm. He is married and has two children and one granddaughter.