Leroy Lawson

Representative Leroy Lawson is an American politican and attorney who served as a US Representative for Georgia's 6th District from 2005-2013 and House Majority Whip from 2011-2012. A member of the Republican Party, Lawson served in many positions in the House, including Chair of the House Republican Conference, Chair of the Ways and Means Committee and House Majority Whip. On September 7th, 2012 Lawson was seriously injured after his vehicle was rammed off the road by a transport truck. Both Lawson's driver and Capitol Police guard were killed in the accident. Lawson was paralyzed from the waist down and suffered from brain damage. His election campaign was suspended and he dropped his name from the ballot for his district. Lawson resigned as Whip on November 5th, 2012 because of his injuries. The driver, Hector Gomez, was charged with one count reckless driving, two counts of involuntary manslaughter, and four counts of vehicular negligence. In 2016 the incumbent US Pardon Attorney, and brother of Leroy Lawson, Colton Lawson requested President Obama pardon Gomez. Colton Lawson later said, "While every day it hurts me what happened to my brother and the two men who took their oaths to protect him, I forgive Mr. Gomez for what he did, I know that he is sorry, and I know that he deserves a second chance." Since the incident, Lawson has been "recovering" said his mother, Gina Lawson on an interview with MSNBC during the 2024 Election Campaign. She said, "Leroy has been recognizing faces again, he is talking to people again, even last night when I was over at his house, we played cards, it's truly wonderful to see my son coming back."