Bobby Bright Picks a Party
Montgomery Mayor Bobby Bright will end months of speculation by announcing that he is running for Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District as a Democrat, a source close to Washington circles told the Parlor. The source added that the announcement may come as soon as Feb. 5.
A Democratic insider confirmed for the Parlor that Bright will run as a Democrat but believed it more likely that the announcement would come after the Feb. 5 primaries to maximize news exposure.
Bright had previously said that he was “95% sure he would run” for the seat, but he has not announced in which party’s primary he would run. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee had hoped Bright would run for the seat as a Democrat, and his entry into the Democratic primary race will likely clear the field of serious challengers.
The district clearly leans Republican. Bright’s dilemma was that he had to choose between an easier path to the nomination (as a Democrat) with a more difficult general election and a more difficult path to the nomination (as a Republican) with an easier general election if he could secure the Republican nomination.
On that point, most Democrats and Republicans that I know have questioned his ability to land the Republican nomination. The doubts expressed about his potential candidacy as a Republican were simple: why would Republican voters support him over candidates with solid GOP credentials already in the race? And why would Democratic voters support his run as a Republican over another Democratic candidate? Most observers heard here agreed that running as a Democrat was his most viable option.
His delay in deciding may be related to a number of considerations (which have largely been articulated here previously). He may be trying to establish that he is conservative enough that he could have run as a Republican in hopes of attracting some crossover votes he’ll need in the general election, he may be wanting to hear what increasing promises (in terms of campaign help) may be made from Democratic interests eager to woo their most promising candidate into the race as a Democrat, and he probably was genuinely trying figure a way to win the Republican nomination for easier election (and re-election).
Announced candidates for the AL-02 seat include Republicans Jay Love, John Martin, Craig Schmidtke, Harri Anne Smith, and David Woods. (See the AL-02 Big List.) Republican David Grimes had said early he would run but there is speculation that he may drop out.
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First reaction: Bad for Jay Love (Montgomery money will be split, some area voters will be with Bright and may not vote for Love in the GOP primary, the Wiregrass will be more motivated to support a local candidate, etc.). It very well may help Harri Anne Smith in the primary; beyond that Bright is more trouble for any GOP nominee in the fall than Republicans were counting on. If you think it impossible for bright to win as a Demo, just check out the Alabama House District 12 race . . .
Comment by Anonymous — January 31, 2008 @ 9:30 am
I would also add this: The GOP should not want a Bright vs. Love race here. It maximizes the chance of a Republican loss of a seat if in the fall there are two Montgomery candidates; the Wiregrass Republicans would feel disenfranchised and would not turn out for Love. A Wiregrass candidate would be better against Bright.
This might mean money for Harri Anne from Washington to make sure the GOP holds the seat.
Comment by Anonymous — January 31, 2008 @ 9:42 am
Bright’s campaign team is tested and used to producing miracles (remember the unbeatable Emory Folmar?). If anyone can land this district as a Dem, it is Bright.
Comment by Anonymous — January 31, 2008 @ 10:14 am
Hillary will not win in Alabama nor will Bright in district two. So long Bobby!
Comment by Anonymous — January 31, 2008 @ 11:06 am
After what happened in Cullman County just 48 hours ago, saying Bright will NOT win is a rather presumptive statement. If Bright is pitted against Love or Grimes, he can win; he will beat those guys in Montgomery and the rest of the district will not be motivated to choose between two Montgomery city slickers.
Comment by "will not win"? — January 31, 2008 @ 11:36 am
So it’s not about what he believes, it’s about what he believes increases his chances of victory. Doesn’t that tell voters the only things he believes in is winning? I live in this district. Not what I want in my congressman.
Comment by Anonymous — January 31, 2008 @ 11:41 am
I think there should be a solid, organized effort to keep district 2 out of the hands of Montgomery. A lot of people in counties like Autauga, Elmore, Houston, Geneva, etc. want this congressional seat to stay outside the Montgomery bypass.
Comment by District 2 — January 31, 2008 @ 11:46 am
Bright will have a strong chance to win this seat. This is going to be Dem-leaning election cycle, even here in Alabama.
Comment by SamfordDem — January 31, 2008 @ 1:49 pm
#7, why on earth does it matter where the candidate is from, be it Montgomery, Clio, Elba, Deatsville or Luverne?
This type of thought process really frustrates me. Nothing about the potential qualifications and/or platform of the candidates.
I’d much prefer you say something really intelligent like you want your candidate to wear alligator skin cowboy boots, walk with the swagger of john wayne, carry Teddy’s big stick, and ride a horse named Silver to and from work.
You could even revert to old Wallace Sr. rhetoric and try to stir up old southern populist musings.
Good old country folk, salt of the earth folks versus anyone who lives in a city of over 5 thousand people.
Brilliance. Sheer brilliance “District 2.” Let me know how that works out for you.
Comment by Nixon — January 31, 2008 @ 2:20 pm
I think that in this particular election year Bright has a shot- especially if he gets an opponent from Montgomery. Bobby will get all the Montgomery money - they can’t afford NOT to give him the big bucks as long as he is mayor. And the Wiregrass will be highly motivated to hold onto their representationin Congress, so a candidate from there is more troublesome for Bright and probably a stronger pick for Republicans.
Comment by Anonymous — January 31, 2008 @ 2:24 pm
Comment number 8…..you beter hope for obama if you want your thoughts to be correct. do you really think this will be a dem leaning election cycle for federal races like prez, senate and house of reps with hillary at the top of the ticket? There is no freakin’ way alabama will go for hillary. likewise, sessions will win re election easily and the district 2 seat will very likely stay red as well. get some reality.
Comment by WiregrassVoter — January 31, 2008 @ 2:46 pm
Hey Wiregrass Voter — remember how long Bob Riley’s coattails were?
It’s possible for Alabamians to split tickets
Comment by Straight Thinker — January 31, 2008 @ 4:54 pm
Bobby Bright is a formidable candidate. Bright will receive votes from normally GOP circles–and has strong ties with Alabama Baptists.
If Republicans want to defeat Bright, they need someone with populist appeal like George Wallace Jr.
Comment by John Killian — January 31, 2008 @ 5:27 pm
The Montgomey Mayor can run on his crime fighting actions. Oh, I forgot crime is the biggest industry in Mayor Bright’s town.
Comment by JD — January 31, 2008 @ 6:03 pm
Folks in district 2 will not split votes and elect a democrat. the seat has been republican since the 60s and it will not change now. George Wallace Jr tried to win the seat as a dem and could not. See you later Bobby!
Comment by JT — January 31, 2008 @ 7:49 pm
I think Bright will be a stronger candidate in the fall than this district has seen in decades. Accordingly, the national GOP will make holding district 2 a priority. To do that, a candidate from the Wiregrass - Harri Anne Smith or another viable candidate - will be the best option for the GOP. Bobby will be able to be very competitive and perhaps triumphant if he gets an opponent from the Montgomery metro area such as Love, Grimes, or Woods. Bobby will get the money in the fall; the business community in Montgomery cannot afford not to fund a sitting mayor (ask Emory Folmar). If the Republican nominee against Bright is from Montgomery, they simply cannot compete with the leverage Bobby will have in local fundraising.
Comment by Bright — February 1, 2008 @ 9:07 am
Bright will be tough but in the end a Republican will win. We all know it.
Comment by PikeCountyguy — February 1, 2008 @ 12:42 pm
you’re right, pikecountyguy, just like in hd 12.
Comment by Anonymous — February 1, 2008 @ 11:13 pm
Mayor Bright possesses the leadership, qualifications, education, and experience required to be elected. He is definitely the best person to represent District 02, hands down. He has strong ties to the southern most part of the district and is very electable, whether he carries the Republican or Democratic banner. He hails from a well known and respected family in the southern part of district 02 and is himself a person of strong integrity who can get things done in D.C. for the district. We need him as our Congressman. Vote Bobby Bright for Congress!
Comment by evaluator — February 3, 2008 @ 6:07 am
Does Bobby Bright live in the 2nd Congressional District of Alabama? Oh well, the Good Ole’ Boys will fix that.
How can a person, who can not deside what political party he wants to belong to, honestely represent the interest of the people of the 2nd US Congressional District of Alabama, and not the special interest parties which has supported him in the past?
Bobby Bright wants to spread the dark cloud of corruption enveloping The City of Montgomery to the whole 2nd US Congressional District of Alabama. I hope, come election day, that the people who fled The City of Montgomery to the surrounding area, and counties have not forgotten the reason why they moved. Let the record speak for itself. We need to make a change in attitude, and not elect a clone, like Everett, from the Democratic Party.
Ask yourself, do you feel as secure living in The City of Montgomery now, as you did before Bright became mayor?
Comment by John Morykwas — February 6, 2008 @ 8:50 pm
Mayor Bobby Bright educated? The Mayor is a lawyer. Congressamn Terry Everett does not have a college degree, how qualified is that?
That is the problem with the USA, too many lawyers in government. We need to keep the lawyers in the courts, and out of The Government. The Government should be returned to, and run by the people, not the lawyers.
Mayor Bobby Bright stated on National TV, that The State of Virginia is part of the New England States. How educated is that?
Leadership? What leadership? Did he serve his country in the military?
The crime statistics, those which do become recorded, really makes Mayor Bobby Bright the most qualified
to carry on where Congressman Terry Everett left off.
The truth will be known.
Comment by John Morykwas — February 6, 2008 @ 9:24 pm
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