Statement By Senate Democratic Leader Al Lawson On Thrasher RPOF Election

Florida Senate Minority Leader Al Lawson (D-Tallahassee) on Saturday issued the following statement in response to Sen. John Thrasher’s election as Republican Party Chairman:

“While I wish I could congratulate John Thrasher on winning the Chairmanship of the Florida Republican Party, I am very concerned with his offensive language used this morning during a speech to Republican activists. In his comments, Sen. Thrasher referred to voters that register with the Democratic Party as his “enemy.” John Thrasher’s language is beyond the pale and offensive to the nearly 4.7 million voters who identify themselves as Florida Democrats.

“Unfortunately, John Thrasher is no longer fit to serve as Chairman of the Senate Ethics and Elections Committee nor serve on the Reapportionment Committee. Both positions require bipartisan cooperation, and John Thrasher has demonstrated that he is incapable of conducting himself in such a manner.

“On Monday, I will make a formal request to Senate President Jeff Atwater to remove Senator Thrasher from the Ethics and Elections and the Reapportionment Committees. President Atwater has expressed a desire that Senate business be conducted in the highest professional and ethical standards. As a result, I am confident that my request will be granted.”