Bobby Neal Bright is an American politician., currently the mayor of Montgomery, Alabama. He is also the Democratic nominee for U.S. Representative from Alabama's 2nd congressional district.
Prior to becoming mayor, Bright was a local lawyer. He is an alumnus of Auburn University, Troy University, and the Thomas Goode Jones School of Law of Faulkner University. He is married to Montgomery County District Judge Lynn Clardy Bright. They have three children: Bobby Neal Jr., Lisa Lynn, and Katie Clardy.
Mayor
Bright was first elected in 1999, defeating longtime incumbent Republican Emory Folmar. He was re-elected in a landslide against challenger Scott Simmons in 2003.
During Bright's tenure he revitalized Montgomery's downtown and riverfront including the Renaissance Montgomery complex and Biscuits Baseball. He helped bring new jobs to the area, and saved existing jobs. He was also named the state's "Tourism Advocate of the Year" by the Governor for his work in building that industry. On the financial side, he balanced the City's budget every year and created a $30 million rainy day fund, secured millions in federal grants for important projects, maintained the city's "AA" credit rating (best in state) by holding spending and debt in check, and saved money by implementing an international prescription drug buying program.[1][2][3]
2008 U.S. Representative campaign
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Bright had never previously claimed affiliation with any party, but in 2008 he announced that he was running as a Democrat for the open seat in Alabama's 2nd congressional district currently held by Terry Everett.[4]
Bright is running as a Democrat because the Republican party rejected him. He also believes Republicans have shortchanged poor districts on federal dollars. Like many Alabama Democrats, he opposes abortion and gun control. However, he favors "a strong, honorable plan" to end the Iraq War.[5]
This district has been in Republican hands since 1965, and Bright is considered by far the strongest Democrat to run in the district since then. With the strong support of the state and national Democratic establishment, Bright easily won the Democratic nomination against two minor challengers. He will face Republican State Representative Jay Love in the November election. Both Bright and Love are deacons at First Baptist Church in Montgomery. [6]
CQ Politics forecasts the race as 'Leans Republican', The Cook Political Report ranks it 'Republican Toss Up', and The Rothenberg Political Report rates it 'Republican Favored'.[7][8][9]
References
- ^ Alabama's 2nd District DCCC
- ^ "Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce's Riverfront Development page".
- ^ "Central Alabama Business Journal interview with Bobby Bright in August, 2005".
- ^ "Montgomery Mayor Bobby Bright to run for Congress".
- ^ Nolin, Jill Profile of Bobby Bright Montgomery Advertiser, 2008-05-27.
- ^ "Fellow Church Members, Deacons, Vie for Alabama Congressional Seat".
- ^ U.S. House, Alabama - 2nd District CQ Politics
- ^ 2008 Competitive House Race Chart The Cook Political Report, August 30, 2008
- ^ 2008 House Ratings The Rothenberg Political Report, July 19, 2008
External links
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