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Brown Appeals Redistricting Ruling As Poll Finds Her Narrowly Leading In CD Race

U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown announces her federal lawsuit to block new district maps.
Catherine Welch
/
WMFE 90.5
U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown announces her federal lawsuit to block new district maps.
Credit Catherine Welch / WMFE 90.5
/
WMFE 90.5

A new poll of North Florida’s Fifth Congressional District shows Jacksonville-based Congresswoman Corrine Brown with a five-point lead over her challenger, former state Senator Al Lawson. Lawson is trying to unseat Brown in the reconfigured district which now runs between Jacksonville and Tallahassee, and he believes turnout will be key. Lawson says voters in the western portion of the panhandle district are more likely to vote than those near Brown’s home base.

“I would say they [Brown's campaign] have a significant problem in bringing their campaign up this way, as much as I have to take my campaign to Duval. I’ve already run in four of those counties for the last 20 years. So I feel pretty confident I’ve got a campaign organization in place there," he said.

Brown sued to block changes to the district, but recently lost. She’s now appealing to the U.S. Supreme Court.

She's also facing a congressional ethics probe.

The survey, conducted by St. Pete Polls, found Brown leads Lawson 42-37 percent. The margin of error is 4.3 percent. The poll was conducted for FloridaPolitics.com

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Lynn Hatter is a Florida A&M University graduate with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. Lynn has served as reporter/producer for WFSU since 2007 with education and health care issues as her key coverage areas. She is an award-winning member of the Capital Press Corps and has participated in the NPR Kaiser Health News Reporting Partnership and NPR Education Initiative. When she’s not working, Lynn spends her time watching sci-fi and action movies, writing her own books, going on long walks through the woods, traveling and exploring antique stores. Follow Lynn Hatter on Twitter: @HatterLynn.