Bright goes to Washington

WASHINGTON — Montgomery Mayor Bobby Bright won’t be sworn in as a new congressman from Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District until Jan. 6, but life is already chaotic for the Democrat.

He’s got a new Capitol Hill office to set up and lots to learn as he becomes acquainted with Washington, so much so that he may give up his mayoral seat before the end of the year, he said in an interview Thursday in Washington.

“I hope things settle down,” he said. “But if they don’t, I may have to consider an early departure.”

Bright, a Democrat, spent the past week in Washington where he joined other congressional freshman in classes on legislative procedures and briefings on some of the major issues that will come before them, such as the possible bailout of automakers.

“It’s very exciting,” he said. “We’ve been exposed to a tremendous amount of material.”

Bright and other new members have met with congressional leaders and he’s learning his way around the vast complex of congressional office buildings.

“I am totally lost,” he said. “I can’t tell one building from another.”

Bright, who replaces retiring Rep. Terry Everett, is in the midst of hiring a full-time staff of 18. They won’t have access to the office until just before he is sworn-in.

“It will be chaotic for a couple of months,” he said.

Bright has requested seats on two of the committees on which Everett served — agriculture and armed services. He would also like a spot on the small business committee.

Bright said he’ll focus on job creation and developing infrastructure in Alabama.

Bright’s wife, Lynn, has been in charge of finding a place for the couple to stay while Congress is in session. The empty-nesters are finding real estate costs a bit higher than in Alabama.

Bright, 56, narrowly defeated his Republican opponent, Jay Love, by less than one percentage point. It is the first time in 44 years a Democrat has won the district.

Bright, who received a congratulatory election phone call from President-elect Barack Obama, said he is not beholden to the Democratic Party.

“My agenda is of the people I represent,” he said.

Dothan Mayor Pat Thomas, a Republican who supported Bright during the campaign, said he believes Bright is a man of his word and that is how he will govern.

“He tells me he will represent the district and not the party and I believe him,” Thomas said.

Bright said he is a “true reflection of the people of the district” and plans to be part of the Blue Dog coalition of conservative Democrats.

“We do have conservative members in the Democratic Party and I intend to prove that by my tenure as a congressman,” he said.

Many members of the coalition have extended a helping hand to him in learning the ropes.

Bright said he has been surprised at how energetic everyone in Washington has been and how cooperative.

“Maybe that will burn off, but everyone has been so helpful,” he said.

Everett and Bright have not yet spoken about the transition. Everett said he’s called Bright twice but has yet to hear back. Bright said their staffs have been in touch and he’ll call Everett “if the need presents itself.”

Members of Alabama’s congressional delegation — now comprised of four Republicans and three Democrats in the House, along with two Republican senators — said they’re looking forward to working with Bright, regardless of party.

“Our delegation has an unusual working relationship,” said Rep. Jo Bonner, R-Mobile. “Once the election is over, we work as a team.”

Matt Parker, the president of the Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce, said Bright has done good work in his efforts to redevelop downtown Montgomery.

“Bobby’s a hardworking man,” Parker said. “He’s doing great things in Montgomery. He’s very energetic.”

Thomas said he anticipates Bright will be as responsive as Everett was.

“That’s what we expected and got from Terry Everett and that’s what we expect to get from Mayor Bright,” he said.

Contact Amy Dominello at 202-662-7671 or adominello@mediageneral.com