(Orlando, FL) Florida's leading gay activist organization, Equality Florida, along with other liberal and homosexual advocacy groups, are strongly lobbying Governor Crist against appointing Judge Alan Lawson, who most conservatives believe is the most qualified candidate. These same gay and liberal groups are also asking Governor Crist to appoint either Judge James E. C. Perry (of Sanford) or Judge Debra Steinberg-Nelson based solely upon the factors of "race", "gender" and "ideology" rather than on qualifications and experience. Nadine Smith, Florida's leading homosexual activist who led the campaign last year against Amendment 2, the Florida Marriage Protection Amendment, is now throwing in hard against Judge Alan Lawson and asking gay activists to tell Governor Crist they want a Supreme Court that will "reflect our diversity".
Judge Alan Lawson has been endorsed by virtually every state and national conservative and pro-family group in the country including the National Rifle Association, Florida Right to Life, Liberty Counsel, United Sportsman of Florida, Focus on the Family Action, Family Research Council, American Heritage Group, Florida Family Association, Christian Coalition of Florida, Florida Family Action, and American Family Association.
In contrast, Judges Perry and Nelson are being supported by Planned Parenthood, Equality Florida, AIDS/HIV Tribe, NAACP and other left leaning activist groups. According to one e-mail alert, gay activists are concerned that "lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Floridians will have a difficult time being heard in court." They go on to say that many of the issues they care about, such as "overturning the anti-gay adoption ban, currently heading to the Court, will be jeopardized." James Perry and Debra Steinberg-Nelson are registered Democrats. Lawson is Republican. Dan Gerber, the other Republican candidate, is a lawyer with no judicial experience at all.
John Stemberger, President and General Counsel of Florida Family Action released the following statement endorsing Judge Lawson:
"Having served on the Judicial Nominating Commission in the Ninth Circuit for the past eight years, I have reviewed and personally interviewed hundreds of judicial candidates. Based upon my experiences, Alan Lawson is without question, one of the most qualified and experienced judge candidates I have ever reviewed. None of the other four candidates currently before Governor Crist have both appellate experience and a clear written record. Judge Lawson has the kind of even handed temperament, high minded ethics and intellectual acumen that makes for an ideal jurist. He not only has a philosophy of judicial restraint and respect for the rule of law, but in his personal life he is a faithful husband, a devoted father, and an active member of his church and community. By any objective standard, Judge Lawson is clearly the most qualified candidate to sit on Florida's highest court."
TAKE ACTION NOW: Florida Family Action supporters are being encouraged to call, e-mail and or fax letters to Governor Charlie Crist asking him to appoint Judge Alan Lawson. Details to take action are located here: Four Candidates and Credentials:
    Lawyer Dan Gerber Judge Alan Lawson Judge James E. C. Perry Judge Debra Steinberg-Nelson
Associated Press Article: Diverse Groups Lobby Governor on Next Supreme Court Appointment: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/state/orl-court1309feb13,0,7755222.story |
