Impeachment inquiry: Rep. Al Lawson switches from undecided; Neal Dunn condemns 'witch hunt'

When House Democrats decided to launch an impeachment inquiry into whether President Donald Trump betrayed national security one of Tallahassee's congressmen quickly jumped to the President's defense and the other initially said he was unsure but later joined his fellow Democrats.

Republican Congressman Neal Dunn, R-Panama City, called the move a progressive "witch hunt," while Democratic Congressman Al Lawson said he wanted to gauge his constituents' reaction to allegations that Trump pressured a foreign leader to investigate  former Vice President Joe Biden, a potential opponent in the 2020 election. 

Tuesday, Lawson had said he hadn't "quite made up my mind" about impeachment proceedings. But after more than 100 phone calls and emails flooded his Tallahassee office Wednesday, Lawson endorsed the investigation. 

"I support the impeachment inquiry of President Trump. The president's recent admission that he engaged in unlawful conversations with Ukrainian officials is not only embarrassing, but undermines the integrity of our elections, the dignity of the office and threatens our national security," said Lawson.

A legion of moderate Democrats, most notably the Speaker, had opposed impeachment proceedings but changed their minds Tuesday. As reports of a July 25 conversation circulated that showed Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky discussed Biden and military aid, more than 70 Democrats joined the group calling for an impeachment investigation.

Media outlet estimates of the number of House Democrats who supported the inquiry ranged from 207 to 217 by Wednesday afternoon. It would take 218 votes to impeach the president, and it is unclear if supporters of an investigation would also vote to impeach. That added to the pressure on Lawson.

As of Wednesday night, 12 of Florida's 13 Democratic congressional delegation members supported the move to investigate the President. Congresswoman Frederica Wilson, D-Miami, is the only one who has not issued a public statement of support. 

Dunn and Lawson represent a wide swath of North Florida that stretches from Panama City to Jacksonville. Tallahassee is where the two districts meet with Dunn representing the northeast suburbs and the neighborhoods around Florida State University and Lawson representing the rest of the county.

Dunn campaigned with Trump and has been a steadfast supporter of the president's economic policies. Tuesday, he was quick to defend Trump after Democrats decided to launch the official impeachment inquiry.

“Speaker Pelosi has finally laid her cards on the table with the opening of a baseless impeachment inquiry. For once she is being honest about the Democrats’ agenda of taking down President Trump at all costs," said Dunn in a prepared statement.

"Instead of tackling the issues that are facing hardworking Americans. Democrats want to waste time and money bowing down to the progressive wing of their party and continue the witch hunt against President Trump. I hope the American people will see this stunt for what it is – the Democrats’ decision to choose political theater over the welfare of this great nation."

Lawson initially said he intended to discuss the Ukraine controversy with his constituents while he was in the district this weekend. But an outpouring of calls and messages Wednesday convinced him he knew what his voters wanted him to do.

"I am truly appreciative of the feedback I have received from my constituents who have contacted my office and voiced their concerns," Lawson said in a prepared statement.    

Speaker Pelosi is urging Democrats to keep the investigation focused on Trump's conversations with the Ukranian leader. Also, Wednesday, the House voted on a resolution disapproving of Trump blocking release of the whistleblower complaint which triggered the controversy.  

This story has been edited to correctly identify Congresswoman Frederica Wilson.

Writer James Call can be contacted at jcall@tallahassee.com. Follow on Twitter @CallTallahassee