[6][7] When incumbent Republican state representative Will Kendrick was term-limited in the 10th House District, Bembry announced a campaign to replace him, running as a conservative Democrat.

Bembry faced Julie Conley, the director of the Jefferson County Economic Development Council and the former mayor of Monticello, in the Democratic primary.

[8] In the general election, Bembry faced Don Curtis, a small business owner and former assistant director of the Florida Division of Forestry.

[2] In 2010, Bembry ran for re-election and faced Republican David Feigin, a retired Coast Guard veteran and a pizzeria owner.

[13] On November 17, 2011, Bembry announced that he would challenge Republican Congressman Steve Southerland in Florida's 2nd congressional district in 2012 rather than seek a third term in the legislature.

"[20] However, members of the Congressional Black Caucus, like Congresswoman Corrine Brown and then-Assistant Democratic Leader Jim Clyburn, split with party leadership, endorsing Lawson.