♪ >> WELCOME TO OUR FIFTH POLITICAL CANDIDATE FORUM IN ADVANCE OF THE GENERAL ELECTION.

THIS FORUM, A COOPERATIVE PRODUCTION OF THE TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT NWFSU PUBLIC MEDIA.

I'M TOM FLANAGAN JOINED BY JAMES CALL FROM THE TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT.

THE FOCUS OF THIS FORUM IS THE RACE FOR US HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DISTRICT 2.

BOTH CANDIDATES FOR THIS RACE, DAVE ARONBERG -- AL LAWSON AND NEAL DUNN WERE GIVEN MULTIPLE OPTIONS FOR DATES AND TIMES, NEAL DUNN'S CAMPAIGN SAID HE WAS UNABLE TO ATTEND.

>> WE ARE CONSIDERING THIS AN EMPTY SEE FORUM WHERE ONLY ONE CANDIDATE IN THIS CASE CONGRESSMAN AL LAWSON IS PRESENT TO ANSWER QUESTIONS.

WE WILL ASK QUESTIONS WE THINK VOTERS HAVE PRIOR TO ELECTION DAY LIKE WE WOULD FOR ANY ARTICLE OR STORY WE WOULD SEE OR HEAR AT THE TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT OR WFSU PUBLIC MEDIA.

>> THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF TALLAHASSEE HAS BEEN A PARTNER IN OUR PREVIOUS FORMS IN THIS SERIES AND THEY SHOULD A STATEMENT THAT THERE NATIONAL LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS US GUIDELINES AND LONG-STANDING POLICIES WOULD PREVENT THEM FROM TAKING PART IN FORUMS WHERE ONLY ONE OF THE CANDIDATES WOULD PARTICIPATE.

WE COMPLETELY RESPECT THIS DECISION AND THE TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT AND WFSU PUBLIC MEDIA ARE THE HOST OF THIS PARTICULAR FORUM.

>> THE REPRESENTATIVE FOR DISTRICT 2 IS CONGRESSMAN AL LAWSON.

WE REMIND EVERYONE WATCHING US ON SOCIAL MEDIA, PLEASE HIT THE SHARE BUTTON AND HELP ALL YOUR FRIENDS SEE TODAY'S FORUM.

WE EXPECT IT TO BE 30 MINUTES LONG.

LIKE ALL OF OUR FORUMS WE HAVE QUITE A FEW QUESTIONS SO WE ASK YOU TO KEEP YOUR RESPONSES BRIEF BUT UNDERSTANDABLE.

MAKE YOUR POINT.

WITH ONLY ONE CANDIDATE WILL NOT BE USING THE TIMEKEEPER IN THIS FORUM.IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FORUM WE HAVE A LIGHTNING ROUND AND WE WILL ASK YOU TO KEEP YOUR ANSWER TO ONE SENTENCE.

>> AT THE END OF THE FORUM, 60 SECONDS TO SHARE YOUR WEBSITE CAN ANY OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE.

IF YOU ARE WATCHING ON FACEBOOK AND QUESTION FOR THE CANDIDATE GO AHEAD AND TYPE OUT THOSE COMMENTS AND WE WILL GET TO AS MANY OF THOSE AS WE CAN.

TIME IS LIMITED.

WE WILL BE ROLLING THROUGH THIS.

TO IMPROVE YOUR QUESTIONS OF YOUR QUESTION BEING ASKED KEEP IT BRIEF AND ASK THAT YOU KEEP IT POLITE.

MISTER LAWSON, QUESTIONS BEFORE WE GET UNDERWAY?

>> I'M HAPPY TO BE HERE AND LOOK FORWARD TO WFSU AND THE DEMOCRAT'S INTERVIEW, I WAS HERE FOR A BANDWAGON AND DIDN'T WANT TO MISS IT BUT I KNOW COVID 19 HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH US NOT HAVING IT.>> WE HOPE TO BRING THAT BACK AT SOME POINT.

LET'S KICK THIS ONE OFF HERE.

WHY ARE YOU THE RIGHT PERSON FOR THE JOB?

>> GREAT QUESTION.

I'M THE ONLY DEMOCRAT BETWEEN PENSACOLA AND ORLANDO.

THROUGH MY CAREER I WORKED HARD FOR FLORIDA.ONE OF THE THINGS I FOUND OUT IS ALL THE RESOURCES THAT HAVE COME DOWN FROM UNIVERSITIES HAVE BEEN A RESULT OF MYSELF WORKING WHEN I WASN'T IN PARTY LINES, TO BRING THOSE RESOURCES DOWN TO THE SAME AUTHORITY.

AND SO MY OPPONENT HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DO THAT.

YOU WANT TO WORK TOGETHER, YOU NEED TO BE TOGETHER ON ISSUES BECAUSE AS A RESULT, I AM THE PERSON WHO HAS GIVEN MY WHOLE POLITICAL CAREER WORKING ON BRINGING CHANGES TO FLORIDA WHERE -- WHETHER THEY WERE ENVIRONMENT, UNIVERSITY EDUCATION, SNAP BENEFITS FOR PEOPLE IN NEED AND HURRICANE RELIEF.

THAT IS ONE OF THE KEY REASONS I'M THE BEST PERSON FOR THE JOB.

NO ONE HAS A REPORT CARD BETTER THAN ME.

>> AND 45 SECONDS OR SO YOU MENTIONED YOUR OPPONENT IN THIS JOB MAY NOT HAVE THE SAME SKILL SET TO COME UP WITH COMPROMISE OR ACCOMMODATION, DIFFERENT POINTS OF VIEW, ANYTHING ELSE MAKE NEAL DUNN A LESS ABLE CANDIDATE THAN YOURSELF?

>> HE HADN'T HAD A HISTORY, WORKING PLACE LIKE TALLAHASSEE IN FLORIDA SO AS A RESULT FOR THE LAST 51/2 YEARS HE HAS BEEN HOLDING THE LINE ON A PARTISAN BASIS, HASN'T BEEN WILLING TO STEP ACROSS THE LINE SO WE CAN WORK TOGETHER.

I ACCEPT ACROSS THE LINES ISSUES SUCH AS ONE PROBLEM WITH MICHAEL, MAKING SURE WE HAVE THE RESOURCES IN THAT AREA FOR THE BASE THAT IS DOWN THERE AND WORKING WITH VETERANS.HE'S A VETERAN BUT ALL THE MONEY COMING DOWN TO HELP VETERANS HE HAS VOTED AGAINST IT.

AND BLAMING IT ON OTHER THINGS, WE HAVE MONEY DOWN FOR HURRICANE RELIEF HE VOTED AGAINST HURRICANE RELIEF AND WHAT IS INTERESTING ABOUT IT IS A WEEK OR SO LATER, VOTED AGAINST HURRICANE RELIEF FOR FLORIDA, THEY WERE ASKING ME TO SIGN A LETTER FOR RESOURCES FOR PEOPLE IN CENTRAL FLORIDA IN PLACES WHERE THE FLOODING WAS TAKING PLACE.YOU HAVE TO PUT PEOPLE ABOVE POLITICS AND I DON'T THINK HE HAS BEEN ABLE TO DO THAT.

>> ARE OPPONENT, NEAL DUNN, IS RUNNING A TELEVISION COMMERCIAL THAT SAYS AL LAWSON CANNOT BE TRUSTED BECAUSE YOU VOTE ONE HUNDRED% WITH JOE BIDEN AT NANCY PELOSI, YOUR RESPONSE TO THAT ADD?

>> THAT DOESN'T BOTHER ME.

THE WAY IT IS IN WASHINGTON JUST ABOUT EVERYBODY VOTED WITH PARTY LEADERSHIP, REPUBLICAN OR DEALERS -- OR DEMOCRAT.

THAT MAKES IT SOUND BAD, BUT IT IS NOT TRUE.

THERE HAVE BEEN MANY TIMES I HAVE NOT VOTED WITH THE LEADERSHIP AND THEY UNDERSTOOD IT.

LET ME TELL YOU I HAVE A LONG HISTORY WORKING ACROSS THE LINE TO BRING RESOURCES TO FLORIDA AND THEY HAVE BEEN REWARDING FORTHIS AREA.

$219 MILLION HAS COME IN AS A RESULT OF IT.

FUNDING FOR THE UNIVERSITY, MONEY FOR OUR DIFFERENT PROJECTS IN GASTON COUNTY, LEON, AND SO FORTH, ALL THE WAY THROUGH TO JACKSONVILLE.

I KIND OF LAUGH, WHEN I SAW THE COMMERCIAL, I WAS ABLE TO GET RYAN TO COME TO JACKSONVILLE FOR FLOODING FROM THE HURRICANE AND AT THE SAME TIME WORK WITH THEM TO GET MONEY TO THE CORE OF ENGINEERS TO MAKE THINGS HAPPEN.

I DON'T SEE HIM HAVING A MEETING WITH NANCY PELOSI LIKE I HAD TO HAVE WITH TIM RYAN.

>> THE 3 SECONDS RULE IN BASKETBALL, LET'S LET -- >> SOMEWHAT SHORTENED.

WE HAVE 30 MINUTES, WITH NATIONAL IMPLICATIONS.

YOU VOTED NO TO ACCEPT THE ELECTORAL COUNT, IN THE 2020 ELECTION, DOES THAT MAKE CONGRESSMAN NEAL DUNN AND ELECTION DENY RENT WHY SHOULD ITMATTER?

>> HE HAS BEEN AN ELECTION DENY HER THAT JOE BIDEN IS NOT PRESIDENT.

I HEARD FOR THE FIRST TIME, HE HAS BEEN PRESIDENT FOR TWO YEARS BUT HE WAS AN ELECTION DENY ARE FOLLOWING ALONG THE LINE OF DONALD TRUMP.

IT IS AN EASY THING FOR HIM TO DO, AND DON'T BE AFRAID, HE DIDN'T HAVE ANYTHING TO BE AFRAID OF, THAT HE WON THE ELECTION.

>> YOU SAID YOU SECURED $87 MILLION IN AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN MONEY FOR THE LATE GREAT CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 5 YOU HAVE BEEN IN WITH $210 MILLION FOR FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY, FLORIDA A AND M. CAN YOU SAY THIS MONEY WOULD HAVE COME INTO NORTH FLORIDA EVEN IF YOU HAD NOT BEEN IN CONGRESS?

>> I'M NOT REALLY SURE.

THAT IS WHAT I ADVOCATED FOR.

I KNOW HOW BAD UNIVERSITIES HURT DURING THE PANDEMIC, KIDS OUT OF SCHOOL AND SO FORTH.

GOT TO HAVE SOMEBODY WHO WILL FIGHT FOR THE FUNDING LIKE THEY DO FOR MICHIGAN, ARIZONA AND OTHER PLACES AND THAT IS WHAT I WAS DOING.

I KNEW MY COLLEAGUES IN THE REPUBLICAN SIDE WOULD GO AGAINSTIT.

CHAMPIONING THOSE FINES TO COME TO FLORIDA.

>> HAS PRESIDENT BIDEN BEEN A SUCCESSFUL PRESIDENT?

>> I THINK HE HAS AND IS DOING BETTER.

HE HAS ONLY BEEN IN OFFICE TWO YEARS AND A LOT OF THINGS SUCH AS THE AMERICAN RESCUE ACT AND STIMULUS MONEY HAS BEEN VERY BENEFICIAL BUT DUE TO PRESS AND SO FORTH SOME PEOPLE NEED TO STAY AWAY FROM THE PRESIDENT BECAUSE OF HIS NUMBER BUT I SAY MOST PRESIDENTS END UP THE FIRST COUPLE YEARS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM.

>> WHERE HAS PRESIDENT BIDEN STRUGGLED?

>> HIS STRUGGLES, HIS STRUGGLE IS COMMUNICATION, WHAT YOU ARE REALLY DOING, WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE DEFICIT, CAN WE PREVENT THE ECONOMY GOING INTO INFLATION BUT A LOT OF POSITIVE THINGS HE HAS DONE AND BRING RESOURCES FOR UKRAINE, WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN AFTER THE PANDEMIC ACCEPT IT WILL BE VERY STRESSFUL AND STRESSFUL ON THE BUDGET AND YOU WILL SPEND MORE MONEY THAN YOU TAKE INTO THE BUDGET.

>> AT A LUNCHEON TODAY, THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT IS A DEFICIT REDUCTION MEASURE AND YOUR OPPONENT, NEAL DUNN, DESCRIBED AS MILITARIZATION OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE WITH THE HIRING OF 80,000 IRS AGENTS TO AUDIT PEOPLE.

HE CALLS IT A BAD BILL.

YOU DIDN'T RESPOND TO THAT CRITICISM.WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THAT?

>> I WANTED TO RESPOND TO THE CRITICISM BUT NEVER GOT THE OPPORTUNITY.

WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT HIRING AN IRS AGENT, WHAT YOU DON'T TELL A REPUBLIC IS OVER A 10 YEAR PERIOD OF TIME AND THE NEXT 10 YEARS YOU HAVE 50,000 IRS AGENTSTHAT QUIT THEIR JOB OR RETIRED AND RIGHT NOW IF YOUR AVERAGE CITIZEN TRIES TO GET THINGS DONE IT IS TOUGH AND IT IS NOT UNUSUAL.

IT IS COMING AT THIS TIME.

WE NEED AGENTS, THE TOP 1% OF WAGE OWNERS ARE DONE PAYING TAXES, AND BY HAVING NEAL DUNN SAY THAT IT MAKES A GOOD TELEVISION BITE INSTEAD OF TELLING YOU THE WHOLE TRUTH.

OUR AGENTS WILL NOT BE JUMPING ON PEOPLE BUT ARE GOING AFTER $116 BILLION CORPORATION PAYING 15% TAXES.

>> THE SUMMER THE HOUSE PAST TWO ABORTION-RIGHTS BILLS WITH YOUR SUPPORT, THE WOMEN'S HEALTH PROTECTION ACT WHICH WOULD CODIFY ABORTION-RIGHTS PROTECTIONS INTO LAW AND ACCESS TO ABORTION ACT TO PROTECT PATIENTS RIGHTS TO TRAVEL TO ACCESS OUT-OF-STATE ABORTION SERVICES.THE SENATE BLOCKED PASSAGE OF BOTH SO WHAT COMES NEXT FOR ABORTION-RIGHTS?

>> WE NEED TO TAKE IT UP AGAIN.

THERE IS NO REASON FOR THEM TO OVERTURN ROE VERSUS WADE AND GIVE IT TO THE STATES IT TO THE STATE AND YOU WILL HAVE ALL STATES GOING IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS.

IT IS TIME FOR MEN, LAWMAKERS, TO STOP TRYING TO TELL WOMEN WHAT KIND OF HEALTHCARE THEY CANRECEIVE.

WOMEN CAN MAKE THEIR OWN DECISIONS.

IN TERMS OF THE ABORTION ISSUE, OTHER THAN ESPECIALLY IN CASES OF RAPE, INCEST AND CARE OF A WOMAN'S HEALTH.I SUPPORT WOMEN'S RIGHT TO CHOOSE.

>> CONGRESSMAN, NOW WE ARE GOING TO MOVE TO OUR POPULAR LIGHTNINGROUND.

ONE SENTENCE ANSWERS.ARE YOU READY?

IS THERE A POINT WHERE THE RIGHT TO ABORTION ENDS OR DOES IT CONTINUE THROUGH THE PREGNANCY?

>> I THINK LATE TERM ABORTION I DON'T SUPPORT.

>> SHOULD CONGRESS REVIVE THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT AND CODIFY ANTIDISCRIMINATION PROVISIONS INTO ELECTION LAW?>> YES YOU SHOULD.

>> WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU WANT TO ACCOMPLISH IF YOU WIN THIS RACE?

>> ONE THING I WANT TO ACCOMPLISH IS MAKE SURE WE CONTINUE TO LOWER HEALTHCARE COSTS AND PROVIDE PRESCRIPTION DRUGS ESPECIALLY INSULIN.

>> WHAT WILL BE YOUR MESSAGE TO CONGRESSMAN NEAL DUNN IF YOU LOSE THE ELECTION?

>> IT WOULD BE I DON'T PLAN TO LOSE BUT MY MESSAGE TO HIM IS TO WORK FOR THE PEOPLE OF FLORIDA AND NOT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

WE HAVE A LOT OF POVERTY HERE, A LOT OF ISSUES WITH EDUCATION AND FUNDING.

PICK UP WHERE I LEFT OFF.

IF I COULD BRING $400 MILLION TOTHIS DISTRICT, YOU BRING $450 MILLION TO THIS DISTRICT.

>> A COUPLE POLICY BILLS THAT YOU PROMOTED.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST WIN FOR FLORIDA APP SECOND DISTRICT IN THE INFRASTRUCTURE BILL?

>> THE BIGGEST WHEN IS THE DOLLARS WE PROVIDE FOR COUNTIES WHERE THEY DON'T GET ANY DOLLARS AND THE MONEY WE PUT DOWN TO THE STATE OF FLORIDA AS YOU SEE INFRASTRUCTURE THE GOVERNOR OF FLORIDA IS HANDING OUT MONEY CAME FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FROM WHAT WE PASSED.

>> WHAT IS THE BIGGEST WIN FOR THE SECOND CONGRESSIONAL THE STRICT AND THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT?

>> THE BIGGEST WIN FOR FLORIDA IS FOR THE FIRST TIME WE ARE GOING TO MAKE PEOPLE WHO MAKE ABOVE $400,000 A YEAR PAY MORE TAXES THAN THE MIDDLE CLASS.

>> WHAT IS ONE ELECTION REFORM MEASURE YOU SUPPORT?

>> I SUPPORT THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT GEORGE LEWIS VOTER RIGHTS ACT THAT WE SHOULD IMPLEMENT, WHAT HAS HAPPENED SINCE 1965, MAKING SURE PEOPLE CAN VOTE AND EXPRESS THEMSELVES.

>> ONE THAT YOU OPPOSE?

>> I OPPOSE ALL OF THIS STUFF YOU HEAR THE RHETORIC ABOUT, DEFICIT BEING CAUSED BY THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION, THEY DON'T TALK HOW MUCH THE DEFICIT WAS UNDER THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION AND WHY WE HAVE THIS DEFICIT, THE WAR ON UKRAINE AND THE PANDEMIC, WE BRING TOWN TO THE PEOPLE IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA.

>> WHAT DO YOU SAY ABOUT YOUR OPPONENT CONGRESSMAN NEAL DUNN PASSING ON THIS OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS FORUM?

>> IS VERY BAD.HE HAS CANCELED OUT ON A LOT OF PROGRAMS THAT WE HAVE SUCH AS THIS.

I HOPE HE SHOWS UP AGAIN TOMORROW AND AT LEAST ONE A DAY.

THIS IS A MATTER ABOUT US.

THIS IS ABOUT THE PEOPLE AND WE NEED TO PRESS TO TELL THE PEOPLE WHERE WE ARE IN OUR POSITION AND THAT IS WHAT WE NEED TO PARTICIPATE IN.

YOU DON'T TRY TO PROTECT YOURSELF.

WE ARE BEING PAID BY THE PEOPLE.

WE ARE HIRED BY THE PEOPLE AND THEY SENT US TO WASHINGTON TO REPRESENT THEM.

>> YOU ARE RUNNING FOR ELECTION IN NEWLY DRAWN SECOND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, USED TO BE OVER THERE.

HOW WILL THIS IMPACT YOUR WORK DO YOU SEE IT AS A US REPRESENTATIVE?

>> VERY GOOD QUESTION.

I HAVE REPRESENTED A LOT OF THIS AREA WHEN I WAS IN FLORIDA SENATE AND THEREFORE I AM FAMILIAR WITH A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THIS AREA.

I HAVE RUN IN THESE COUNTIES EXCEPT FOR THREE OF THEM SO HOW WOULD IT IMPACT MY ABILITY TO REPRESENT?

WHETHER I WAS DOWN DOING APALACHICOLA OR IN WATER WARS WITH GEORGIA AND FLORIDA RIVER AND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, BRINGING IT DOWN TO THE AIR FORCE BASE, IT IS SOMETHING I DO NATURALLY IN ORDER TO GET SUPPORT.

WHEN YOU HAVE COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY IN THIS AREA NO ONE ELSE CAN DO IT BETTER.

>> DO YOU BELIEVE GOVERNOR DESANTIS DELIBERATELY TARGETED YOU IN ADVOCATING FOR THE ELIMINATION OF YOUR OLD DISTRICT, DISTRICT 5 AND REDRAWING THE DISTRICT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

HE PUT IN PEOPLE FROM OUT OF STATE, THEY ARE PAYING STATE DOLLARS TO DRAW A DISTRICT, THE HOUSE AND SENATE DIDN'T WANT TO DO IT, BUT THE SENATE PRESIDENT AND HOUSE SPEAKER AND THREATENEDTHEM TO GIVE HIM WHAT HE WANTED AND THIS WAS BECAUSE OF HIS POSITION SHOWING WHAT HE COULD DO IN FLORIDA BECAUSE HE WANTED TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT.

I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE WITH HIM TWO YEARS IN CONGRESS AND ONE THING HE WOULD WANT TO DO, ANYTHING LIKE THIS, HE'S NOT DONE -- AS THE GOVERNOR, HE DOESN'T THINK ABOUT THE RESOURCES, I HAD TO CALL HIS OFFICES, 600,000 ON THE TABLE THAT YOU ARE NOT TAKING ADVANTAGE OF, 600 SOME MILLION YOU ARE NOT TAKING ADVANTAGE OF,YOU NEED TO DO IT BEFORE THE DEADLINE.

IT GOT SO PARTISAN.

I HATE TO TALK TOO MUCH HERE BUT THEY HAVE NOT BEEN RESPONSIBLE TO THE DOLLARS WE BROUGHT DOWN THE GIVES THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO SAY I AM GIVING YOU MONEY, THEY DON'T SAY IT CAME FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

>> THE DISTRICTING TOOK PLACE, AND FUNDED IN TALLAHASSEE, WOULD BE NOTHING SHY OF AN ABSOLUTE MIRACLE.

DO YOU AGREE WITH OF THAT?

>> I DON'T AGREE WITH THAT, THEY SAY THAT IN ALL THE RURAL AREAS AND RAN AGAIN WITH OPPONENTS AND WE -- JUST LIKE RIGHT NOW WE ARE WORKING HARD.

40,000 TELEPHONE CALLS INTO THE DISTRICT.

WE ARE GOING INTO THE DISTRICT AND MEETING WITH THE PEOPLE LETTING THEM KNOW TO LOOK AT OUR RECORD AND IF YOU DON'T CARE ABOUT YOUR RESOURCES YOU VOTE FOR NEAL DUNN BUT IF YOU CARE ABOUT PUTTING FOOD ON THE TABLE, HAVING LOWER HEALTHCARE COSTS YOU VOTE FOR AL LAWSON BECAUSE HE WILL DELIVER.

>> ONE FOLLOW-UP THE JAMES TALKED ABOUT BEFORE, THE FACT THAT CONGRESSMAN NEAL DUNN WAS NOT A FAN OF THE ELECTORAL PROCESS IN 2020 AND HE AND MANY OF HIS REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES IN CONGRESS WERE THROWING ICEWATER IF YOU WILL ON THE VALIDITY OF THE ELECTORAL SYSTEM AND AS HE MENTIONED AT TIGER BAY TODAY A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T TRUST OUR ELECTIONS.

HOW DO YOU REBUILD TRUST IN THE ELECTORAL SYSTEM SO NOT ONLY YOU BUT PERHAPS CONGRESSMAN NEAL DUNN CAN HAVE FAITH THAT IT IS WORKING.

>> THE ELECTORAL SYSTEM IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA, WE HAVE A GOOD ONE IN THIS COUNTRY.

IF YOU HAVE A PRESIDENT THAT TELLS LIES ABOUT THE ELECTORAL PROCESS, AND MEMBERS BY INTUIT, THEY BY INTUIT BECAUSE THEY ARE AFRAID OF HIM.I CAN TELL YOU RIGHT NOW NEAL DUNN SHOULD FEEL GOOD ABOUT THE ELECTION IN FLORIDA BECAUSE AT ONE TIME HE VOTED FOR ME.

HE VOTED FOR ME AND GAVE ME CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS.

I REPRESENT HIM REAL WELL, WHEN I WAS IN THE SENATE, STOP BY HIS OFFICE ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS.

THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTORAL SYSTEM THEN AND IT IS BETTER TODAY.

THERE WILL ALWAYS BE GLITCHES BUT YOU CAN'T BLAME IT ON WHATEVER HAPPENED SOMEPLACE ELSE BECAUSE THE PRESIDENT SAID HE WAS SUPPOSED TO WIN AND DID NOT WIN.

THE QUESTION ASKED TODAY, IF THE PRESIDENT IS LEGITIMATE, HIS TRYING TO GO AROUND ABOUT AND SAID HE'S BEEN PRESIDENT FOR TWO YEARS, IF THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION WAS LEGITIMATE.

>> I DIDN'T WANT TO HOG ALL THE TIME.

WE GOT TO GET THESE OUT OF THE WAY.

LETS YOU 7 AND 8 TO GET THEM ALL IN.ALL RIGHT.

YOU JUST NOTICED THERE IS SOME DAYLIGHT BETWEEN YOU AND CONGRESSMAN NEAL DUNN, BUT YOU AND YOUR OPPONENT COULD BE CHARACTERIZED AS BE FROM DIFFERENT GODS.THE AARP SAID YOU VOTED 100% OF THE TIME FOR AARP'S POSITIONS ON ECONOMIC ISSUES, WORKING PEOPLE AND SENIORS, NEAL DUNN SCORED 10% AND DEMOCRACY SCORECARD FOUND NEAL DUNN VOTED ONCE WITH THE NONPARTISAN GROUP'S POSITION ON DEMOCRACY RELATED BILLS.

YOU COMPILE THE PERFECT SCORE OF 1818.

NEAL DUNN ISN'T HERE TO ASK PLANE HIMSELF.IF I COULD ASK YOU THIS FOR A RESPONSE, WHO WAS OUT OF STEP WITH NORTH FLORIDA AND WHAT IS YOUR TAKE ON IT?

>> YOU WILL VOTE ON THOSE ISSUES ON THE FRONT OF THE CAREER, AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY CONGRESSMAN NEAL DUNN, WHO IS NOT IN THIS CHAIR, WE HAVE A LOT OF SENIORS HERE IN NORTH FLORIDA AND BEAR COUNTY AND JACKSON COUNTY, WHEN HE VOTED AGAINST THEM, THEY ARE CONCERNED ABOUT SOCIAL SECURITY.

ANYTHING THAT HAPPENS TO SOCIAL SECURITY, DID HE VOTE TO EXTEND SOCIAL SECURITY FOR 10 YEARS, THOSE ISSUES SEPARATE US.

I AM FOR THE PEOPLE AND THERE'S A CLEAR DISTINCTION.BETWEEN US.

AND VOTED TO BAILOUT MAINSTREET.

>> OKAY.

I AM GOING OFF SCRIPT HERE.

YOU OUTLINED THE BIG DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE TWO PARTIES, SUPPORTED THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT, NEAL DUNN OPPOSEDIT.

NEAL DUNN IS A MEMBER OF THE REPUBLICAN STUDY COMMITTEE AND SUPPORTS THEIR BLUEPRINT TO SAVE AMERICA WHICH IS THE OPPOSITE OF PRESIDENT BIDEN'S ECONOMIC PLAN AND INCLUDES THE CUTS YOU TALKED ABOUT, THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT, THE CLIMATE INITIATIVES, CLEAR DISTINCTION ON ECONOMIC POLICY BETWEEN YOU AND NEAL DUNN, BUT YOU HAVEN'T FOCUSED YOUR CAMPAIGN MESSAGE ON ECONOMIC ISSUES.WHY IS THAT?

>> WE HAVE FOCUSED ON ECONOMIC ISSUES IN TERMS OF PROTECTING THE MIDDLE CLASS.

MAKING SURE CORPORATE AMERICA, MORE TAXES, WORKED BY CREATING MORE JOBS THAN ANY OTHER TIME IN AMERICAN HISTORY, THOSE ECONOMICISSUES AND AT THE SAME TIME LOWERING UNEMPLOYMENT TO THE LOWEST RATE IT HAS EVER BEEN BEFORE, 3.5 SO AS A RESULT ALL OF THOSE ECONOMIC ISSUES, I DON'T UNDERSTAND.

I TOLD HIM TODAY YOU ARE NOT EVER GOING TO ACCOMPLISH ANYTHING UNLESS IT IS LIKE IT WAS WHEN I WAS IN THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE.

FOR 28 YEARS I SERVED UNDER REPUBLICAN GOVERNORS.YOU'VE GOT TO COME TOGETHER AS A UNIT TO DO SOMETHING FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.IF IT IS ONLY ABOUT LEADERSHIP AND WHO IS IN CONTROL WE WILL NEVER GET ANYTHING DONE AND THAT IS WHAT IS HAPPENING.

YOU GOT YOUR IDEAS HOW TO MOVE AMERICA FORWARD, WE HAVE HOURS BUT WHEN I WENT TO WASHINGTON DC I WENT THERE TO WORK ACROSS THE AISLES THE SAME WAY I WORKED AT THE SENATE.

I WAS A VERY DIFFERENT COLOR, HARD TO DO.

BUT I WAS ABLE TO GET A LOT OF THINGS ACCOMPLISHED JUST BY DOING IT, SOMETIMES I FELT LIKE THE LONE RANGER.

BUT WAS ABLE TO MAKE PROGRESS.

>> TO THE SECOND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT IN REFERENCE TO THE TIGER BAY LUNCHEON, THE QUESTION WAS ASKED, YOU LISTED POVERTY AS THE BIGGEST ECONOMIC CHALLENGE FOR THE SECOND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT AND YOUR OPPONENT LISTED CHINA.CAN YOU HELP US UNDERSTAND WHAT THAT IS ABOUT?

>> THAT WAS THE WORST BY MY OPPONENT THAT I HAVE EVER HEARD, CHINA HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH OUR ECONOMIC ABILITY IN AMERICA.

WHEN I WAS IN ARGENTINA AND BRAZIL AND OTHER PLACES LOOKING AT WHAT CHINA WAS DOING OVER THERE AND HOW THE AMERICAN PROMISE FAILED AND WHAT WE NEED TO DO AND HOW TO WORK WITH THE COUNTRIES IT WAS NOT CHINA CAUSING THE PROBLEM.

CHINA HAS ALWAYS BEEN THERE.

HE VOTED AGAINST A BILL, YOU NEED CHIPS AND EVERYTHING, HE VOTED AGAINST THE CHIP BILL WHICH WOULD CREATE 100,000 HIGH-PAYING JOBS IN AMERICA.

CHIPS GOING EVERYTHING.HE VOTED AGAINST IT.

IF YOU'RE TRYING TO INCREASE THE ECONOMY IN AMERICA, MAKE AMERICA MORE SOVEREIGN AND POWERFUL WHY WOULD YOU VOTE AGAINST THE CHIP BILL.

THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS.

IT IS OBVIOUS THAT HE IS DOING A GOOD JOB CARRYING THE REPUBLICAN AGENDA BUT HE'S NOT CARRYING THE AGENDA OF THE PEOPLE IN THE SECOND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

>> FOLLOW-UP ON THIS ISSUE.

MISTER FLANAGAN AND MYSELF HAVE COVERED 30 ELECTION CYCLES IN NORTH FLORIDA AND YOU HAVE BEEN ON THE BALLOT FOR MANY OF THOSE ELECTIONS BUT A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN YOU ARE RUNNING, FRIENDS OF YOURS CONCERNED ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN YOU ARE CONDUCTING.

AT TIGER BAY TODAY YOU MADE THE REMARK -- TELL US.WHAT IS IT GOING TO LOOK LIKE WHEN DAYBREAK COMES?

>> AL LAWSON WILL BE IN THE LEAD AND WIN THIS RACE.

I LEARNED THAT FROM LAWTON CHILDS.

I WAS TRYING TO TELL HIM AT TIGER BAY, WE HAVE BEEN THERE.

WE HAVE FOUGHT THESE BATTLES.

I HAVE BEEN THERE FOR YOU AND I WILL BE WALKING JUST BEFORE DON.

>> ANOTHER 45 SECONDS FOR ANY CLOSING REMARKS YOU MIGHT WANT TO MAKE, A WEBSITE, ANYTHING YOU WANT TO SAY, ALL YOURS.

>> I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR HAVING THIS FORUM.IT IS HELPFUL WE GET THE MESSAGE OUT TO THE PEOPLE IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME.

I HAVE LIVED MY LIFE, ADULT LIFE BEING INVOLVED IN POLITICS AND I HAVE WORKED TO DO EVERYTHING I POSSIBLY COULD FOR THOSE LESS FORTUNATE, TO WORK WITH OUR STATE WORKERS TO BRING HEALTHCARE INSURANCE DOWN, TO MAKE PEOPLE HAVE A LIVING WAGE SO THEY CAN TAKE CARE OF THEIR FAMILY AND I WANT TO CONTINUE TO WORK FOR THEM AND PROVIDE THE LEADERSHIP THEY DESERVE.

I ASK THEM, HUMBLY ASK THEM TO VOTE FOR AL LAWSON ON NOVEMBER 8TH AND I WILL STAND TALL FOR YOU IN WASHINGTON.

>> THANKS TO THE CANDIDATE, TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT, WFSU PUBLIC MEDIA AND ALL OUR VIEWERS FOR JOINING US FOR THIS PROGRAM.

YOU CAN FIND A REPLAY OF THE FORUM AND ALL THE OTHERS IN THIS SERIES ON ARE YOUTUBE PAGES PLUS TALLAHASSEE.COM AND WFSU.ORG.

THE BROADCAST WILL BE AIRED AS FAR AS THE AUDIO VERSION IS CONCERNED THURSDAY TOBER 20TH AT 11 AM ON WFSU 88.

89 FM.

OUR NEXT FORUM, THE LEON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT RACE THAT WILL TAKE PLACE WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 19TH AT 11:00 A.M..

CANDIDATES IN THAT RACE ARE LORI LAWSON COX AND ALEXANDER STANLEY.

>> IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOROUR UPCOMING FORMS PLEASE EMAIL US, NEW@TALLAHASSEE.COM AND LOOK FOR THESE FORUMS PLUS INTERVIEWS WITH CANDIDATES ON OUR WEBSITE.

PLEASE KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR OUR SPECIAL GENERAL ELECTION INSERT WHICH WILL BE IN OUR PRINT VERSION OF THE NEWSPAPER ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23RD.

ON BEHALF OF TOM FLANAGAN AND CONGRESSMAN AL LAWSON, HAVE A GREAT DAY.♪