He narrowly defeated Leland C. Bickford in the Republican primary,[3] but lost in the general election to incumbent John C. Carr 11,500 votes to 11,039.

[6] Also during Lawrence's tenure, the City of Medford attempted to control juvenile delinquency by establishing a Youth Commission, creating three new playgrounds, constructing a public swimming pool, and sponsoring activities for boys.

[7] Medford was chosen to host the first day of Massachusetts’ week-long celebration of the United States' victory over Japan.

Instead of giving the job to one of the other two men, Lawrence used a clause in the city charter to appoint himself to the position and name Plante as his assistant.

In 1948, the civil service list was reissued and Plante once again fell behind John J. E. Gorham, whom Lawrence named chief on February 10, 1948.

[13] In 1949, Medford switched to a Plan E form of Government, which meant that the Mayor would no longer be popularly elected, but instead chosen by the City Council.

[17] In 1953 he sold the land opposite Saugus High School to developers for the construction of the New England Shopping Center (which was later redeveloped into the Square One Mall).

[20] That August he made a request to the state government to provide financial aid to help fight the infiltration of Beatniks into the town.