Montgomery Republican plans to challenge Bright in 2010

Montgomery City Council member and Republican Congressional candidate Martha Roby said she looks forward to the time when she will articulate the philosophical differences between herself and current Congressman Bobby Bright.

But now, the first announced challenger to Bright’s seat said she is in the process of doing what is necessary to make her a viable candidate next year: raising money.

“The sooner you begin raising money, the more opportunities you have to garner that support you need,” Roby said.

Roby said she wants to have a strong showing on her first campaign finance report due out in mid-July to legitimize her candidacy. More than $5 million was raised and spent during the 2008 Congressional race in District 2, won by Bright over State Rep. Jay Love, R-Montgomery. Love has said he plans to seek re-election for his State House seat.

“Things are still early,” Roby said. “Right now, we’re still in the organizational period. There will be a time and a place to debate the issues.”

Roby said she is a fiscal and social conservative. She is a graduate of the Cumberland School of Law, and was elected to the Montgomery City Council in 2003 and re-elected in 2007. She is married to Riley Roby, and they have two young children.

Roby is the only person to qualify to challenge Bright. It is expected at least one challenger from the Wiregrass will emerge, but no one has officially announced.