Bright Letter

I am truly honored to be your next Congressman for the 2nd Congressional District. I deeply appreciate the confidence placed in me by the voters to represent Alabama.

This entire campaign we have talked about putting America and Alabama first, and you have given me the opportunity to do just that. Now is the time to unite this country. We are facing some tremendous obstacles, but together we can overcome the challenges we face.

This campaign has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, and I can’t wait to get started in Washington. Please know I will work hard to make you proud, and I look forward to serving you.

Sincerely,

Bobby Bright

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**UPDATE** Election 2008

CNN has called the race for:

BOBBY BRIGHT!!

Bright: 143,997 50%

Love: 142,231 50%

1766 votes difference

This is the first time a Democrat has won in the 2nd district since 1965!

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Election Night 2008

As of 10:46 pm with 97% of the precincts reporting CNN is saying that the race out of Montgomery between Republican Jay Love and Democratic Mayor Bobby Bright is too close to call right now the breakdown looks like this:

Bobby Bright with 141,385 votes and 51%

Jay Love with 135,697 votes and 49%

Updates will come as soon as they're available!

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Campaign Finance for Jay Love

Political Campaign Contributions
Campaign Finance Information
'08 Election Cycle


Candidate Name Jay K Love

Contributions Received

$1,054,504 Total Money Receipts

$304,105 From Individuals

$20,750 From Political Action Committees

$650,000 Self-Funded

Office Running For United States House of Representatives (Congress)
State Alabama (AL)
Party Republican

Election Year '08

District 02
Campaign Address
1020 MONTICELLO CT SUITE 205
MONTGOMERY, AL 36117

Candidate Committee Jay Love For Congress Committee

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Top Contributors to Bright

Top Contributors to Bobby Neal Bright Sr (D) during the 2008 Election Cycle


Rank Donor Amount (US Dollars)
1 Beasley, Allen et al $ 17,260
2 Southern Co $ 11,250
3 Goodwyn, Mills & Cawood $ 10,043
4 National Leadership PAC $ 10,000
4 PAC to the Future $ 10,000
4 National Education Assn $ 10,000
4 Nhs Management $ 10,000
4 United Auto Workers $ 10,000
4 Our Common Values PAC $ 10,000
4 Air Line Pilots Assn $ 10,000
4 Intl Brotherhood of Electrical Workers $ 10,000
4 New Democrat Coalition $ 10,000
4 AmeriPAC: The Fund for a Greater America $ 10,000


Source: The Center for Responsive Politics' www.OpenSecrets.org site.
Note: Contributions are not from the organizations themselves, but are rather from
the organization's PAC, employees or owners. Totals include subsidiaries and affiliates.

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Jay Love has the edge

Montgomery Advertiser "National political handicapper: Jay Love has the edge"


Jill Nolin


A well-known national political prognosticator wrote Thursday that State Rep. Jay Love “has an edge” in the race for Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District.

Analyzing the District 2 race between Love, the Republican nominee, and Democrat nominee Bobby Bright, Cook notes that while the campaign should be competitive, the strongly conservative district tilts in Love’s favor.

“For his part, Love has sought to portray Bright as a ‘Pelosi Democrat’ and remind voters that he was recruited by national Democrats to enter the race. Love has also enlisted the campaign help of the retiring Everett, who has needled Bright by expressing skepticism towards the effectiveness of the Blue Dogs at setting House Democrats’ agenda,” Cook writes. “This race is likely to receive plenty of attention, but Love has an edge.”

Cook’s analysis is echoed by a new Love campaign poll that shows Republican Jay Love leading Democrat Bobby Bright 42 percent to 38 percent among likely voters.

The internal poll, conducted by nationally-recognized McLaughlin & Associates, also showed a strong majority of conservative voters in the district. Among respondents, 52 percent identified themselves as conservative, 28 percent identified as moderate and just 13 percent described themselves as liberal.

On a generic ballot for U.S. Congress, 48 percent said they would choose a Republican candidate, while only 34 percent said they would vote Democrat.

Cook’s analysis can be read online at .

Cook is a leading authority on American political trends and is regarded as one of the most adept election forecasters, successfully predicting close races from congressional seats to the presidency.

The New York Times referred to Cook as "one of the best political handicappers in the nation," and described his publication, The Cook Political Report as "a newsletter that both parties regard as authoritative." In addition to his newsletter, Cook is a staple of television news, appearing regularly for political commentary on NBC, CBS, CNN, MSNBC and CSPAN.

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Mitt Romney Endorses Jay Love

Dothan Eagle Newspaper

By Lance Griffin

Published: October 23, 2008

Jeanne Filkins clutched her camera Thursday and peered down Foster Street, hoping to catch a glimpse of the man she wanted to be the next president.

She waited — obediently if not patiently.

She turned to speak to her friend, still managing to keep one eye on Foster Street.

“I wish he could have been president,” she said, making sure her camera was on and ready. “He would sure straighten out this economy.”

That’s when the vehicle carrying former Massachusetts governor and presidential candidate Mitt Romney turned on Foster Street and stopped in front of Five Star Credit Union. Romney exited with 2nd Congressional District candidate Jay Love. Romney made a brief campaign stop for Love at the credit union before the two left for a private fundraiser.

“I voted for you Governor Romney! I voted for you!” Filkins said, coercing Romney to pause briefly for a treasured photo.

“I’m so excited. I’ve got to call my mom,” she said.

Romney, who has been traveling the country to campaign for Republican congressional candidates, said the 2nd Congressional District race between Republican Jay Love and Democrat Bobby Bright was a “targeted” race.

“We looked and asked ourselves ‘What are a few races that are absolutely critical to win?’ This was one of them.”

Romney said he believes electing a Republican to Congress was important for conservatives to win back a majority in the U.S House of Representatives. He called Love “the only true conservative” in this race.

“Right now there are a lot of Democrats around the country pretending to be Republicans,” Romney said. “That’s what happens in an election year.”

Love said he shares Romney’s views on social and economic issues.

“We need Republicans in Washington so we can lower taxes and turn the economic engine of our small- and medium-sized businesses loose,” Love said. “They’re the ones that create the wealth.”

Bright is in the middle of his “America First Truck Tour”, where he is making campaign stops in all 16 counties in the 2nd Congressional District. Bright has told voters that party labels should not be put ahead of the country.

Bright received the endorsement of Republican State Senator Harri Anne Smith of Slocomb on Monday.

“I hope that sends a signal that people are welcome to step across party lines,” Bright said.

You Can view the video here:
http://www.dothaneagle.com/dea/news/local/article/romney_endorses_love_says_race_critical_to_win/42564/

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Republican State Senator Harri Anne Smith endorsed Bright

Dothan Eagle Newspaper


By Lance Griffin

Published: October 20, 2008

Hours after Republican State Senator Harri Anne Smith endorsed Democratic Congressional candidate Bobby Bright, the executive director of the Alabama Republican Party alleged Monday that Smith shopped her endorsement between Bright and fellow Republican Jay Love.

John Ross told the Dothan Eagle Monday that Bill Harris, who was Smith’s campaign manager during her Republican Congressional primary race with Love, told him on Oct. 7 that Smith was prepared to endorse Bright in exchange for $150,000 to help retire her campaign debt.

However, Ross said Harris told him Smith was willing to entertain offers from the Love campaign.

When reached by the Dothan Eagle, Harris said that he did have a conversation with Ross, but declined to comment further.

“I’m not going to discuss any conversation because, as a campaign manager, I have a confidentiality agreement I signed with her,” Harris said. “Unless Sen. Smith allows me to say anything, I’m not at liberty to confirm or deny anything.”

Earlier Monday, Smith publicly endorsed Bright in Dothan at the beginning of Bright’s “America First Truck Tour.”

“In our opinion, this endorsement was not about issues or policy, it’s about money,“ said Phillip Bryan, spokesman for the Alabama Republican Party.
Smith said her endorsement was not about money.

“I made that endorsement because it was the right thing to do,” Smith said. “I did it because that’s what I believe in.”

Smith denied having any conversations with Bright about money in exchange for an endorsement. When asked if she had any knowledge of a conversation between Harris and Ross about her endorsement, she declined to comment.

“I’m not going to get in the fray,” Smith said. “I’m going to be above that.”
Bright called the allegations “ridiculous” and “libelous”.


“I never as mayor offered anybody any money for anybody’s endorsement and I have never given anybody authority to act on my behalf,” Bright said. “This is exactly what happened in the Republican primary, and it is now happening in this election and people need to vote on Nov. 4 to clean up this type of politics and campaigning. This is desperation politics and smear politics at its worst.”

According to campaign records filed with the Federal Election Commission, Smith finished her 2nd Congressional District campaign with a debt of about $404,000.
Smith becomes the second major Wiregrass Republican to endorse Bright’s campaign. Dothan mayor Pat Thomas announced he would support Bright on Aug. 18.


Smith and Love were involved in a bruising primary race this year, prompting current Congressman Terry Everett, R-Rehobeth, to issue a statement asking both candidates to stop their negative campaign ads.


Speaking in front of Bright supporters Monday morning, Smith said Love lied about her and her record during their Congressional campaign.


“Jay Love lied about my record just to further his own agenda and now he’s lying about Bobby,“ Smith said. “Bobby knows what’s important to the Wiregrass because he’s one of us.“


You can view the Video HERE : http://www.dothaneagle.com/dea/news/local/article/harri_anne_smith_backing_bobby_bright/41926/#fragment-1

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Endorsements

Endorsement:

The Montgomery Independent

OCTOBER 16, 2008

Bright would be in best position to help 2nd District Montgomery Mayor Bobby Bright and State Rep. Jay Love are in a spirited and close race for Congress in the 2nd District. The Independent supported both these men for the positions they currently hold and will do so again for the one who doesn’t go to Washington.

A crucial issue in the race is which of the two would be able to best “bring home the bacon” to the district and that boils down to which candidate will have the most clout in his party and which party will have the most clout in Congress.

It appears the Democrats, who already have a solid majority in the House of Representatives will pick up another 12 to 18 House seats in November and will further solidify their majority in the Senate.Mayor Bright, who has been welcomed with open arms to the Blue Dog coalition of conservative Democrats, will be in an excellent position because of what is expected to be an overwhelming Democratic majority, to ensure that adequate funding continues for the district’s military installations and farmers.

Of course being better at “bringing home the bacon” is not the sole reason to vote for a congressional candidate, but it is a mighty powerful one in light of the current economic situation in the country.

We also believe Mayor Bright would, like Rep. Love, take his conservative Alabama values with him to Washington.A minus we see in the election of Mayor Bright is that Montgomery would lose an excellent mayor and leader.

He has been at the forefront of the economic progress our city as made in the past decade.But because Mayor Bright would be in a much better position to do good for the 2nd Congressional District, we recommend his election.

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Love Took Over $14,000 in Per Diem Payments

AL-02: Jay Love Took Over $14,000 in Per Diem Payments While Living in Capitol City

by Brandon English

Oct 10, 2008


Republican candidate Jay Love (AL-02) has made it clear that he loves raising taxes, given that he voted for the largest tax increase in Alabama history. Now, it has come to light that Love also loves cheating Alabama taxpayers for his own personal gain. Alabama Representative Jay Love accepted $14,300 in taxpayer funded daily allowances even though he lived less than eight miles from the Alabama State House.

"When it comes to taking money from hard working taxpayers, Jay Love has no shame," said Kyra Jennings, Southern Regional Press Secretary at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. "While living less than 8 miles away from the capitol, he took $14,300 of taxpayers' money in daily allowances in addition to his taxpayer funded salary. Hardworking Alabamans don't get an allowance to go to work, but they paid millionaire Jay Love one and all he did was try to pass the biggest take hike in American history. Millionaire Jay Love should pay back the $14,300 taxpayer allowance he unfairly took."

Background

According to the State Payroll Administrator for the Alabama Comptroller's Office, Jay Love took a per diem a total of 286 days since 2003. Love's per diem payments were $50 a day, totaling $14,300 that Love cheated taxpayers out of for personal gain.


Below is a detailed listing from the Alabama Comptroller's Office of how many days per year Love took a per diem while serving as a State Representative:

2003 - 66 days
2004 - 45 days
2005 - 46 days
2006 - 38 days
2007 - 47 days
2008 - 44 days

Jay Love's Montgomery, Alabama home is 7.5 miles from Jay Love's State House office.


Alabama state legislators receive $3850 a month adjusted annually to reflect any
increase in the cost of living, which comes to $46,200 annually before any cost of living adjustments. Additionally, legislators receive $10 per calendar day, and sessions are limited to 105 calendar days, for an additional $1,050. [Legislator Compensation 2008, National Conference of State Legislators, March 2008 ; Alabama's Legislative Process, Senate Document No. 3]


Rules for Per Diem payment: The current allowance for expenses is $50.00 per diem for three days during each week that the Legislature actually meets during any regular session, special session or organizational session, and $3,850.00 per month expenses year round. Each member is also paid $50.00 per diem for the performance of his or her duties as a member of any duly authorized interim legislative committee or subcommittee thereof, conditional upon actual attendance [Alabama's Legislative Process, Senate Document No. 3]


Jay Love is a millionaire with between $1 and $5 million each in Pike Rd. Invests, LLC and SE Subway Dev, LLC, among his other lucrative assets.[Jay Love personal financial disclosure, 5/10/08]


Jay Love Voted for $1.2 billion in new taxes on Alabama families including:
Love supported raising Property Taxes by $496.5 million annually by the time the taxes took full effect in 2008. [Roll Call Vote 86, HB 3, 6/2/03]
Love supported raising sales taxes by $178 million a year. [Roll Call Vote 41, HB 11, 5/28/03]


Love supported raising income taxes by $461 million year, including raising income taxes on individuals by about 20 percent and on business by about 25 percent. [Roll Call Vote 106, HB 1, 6/2/03]

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Jay Love's Promise to Voters

Promise to the Voters by Rep. Jay Love

1. Our campaign will talk about the issues that matter to the voters of the 2nd Congressional District. I will articulate my position and express a vision that will improve our nation and reflect positively on the people I wish to represent.

2. Our campaign will not run from my political party affiliation. I will stand with my fellow party members on ground we share in common, and I will never attempt to mislead voters by shrinking from a party label that I have willingly chosen.

3. Our campaign will stand behind the statements that I make, the commercials that I produce and the mail that I send. There are clear differences in this race – differences between the political parties and differences between the candidates representing them. It is appropriate to discuss these differences and I will do so in a forthright, honest manner.

4. Our campaign will accurately reflect the views and philosophies of my opponent, his political party and the interests supporting his campaign as we understand them, and as evidence suggests, in our political advertising, mail and other media.

5. Our campaign will proudly and publicly support my party’s presidential nominee and will let the public know when I agree and disagree with the positions he takes.

6. Our campaign will work to ensure that the groups and individuals who contribute to my campaign agree with my political philosophies and principles so there is no confusion among the public as to where I stand on the important issues of the day.

7. Our campaign will not engage in the spreading of false rumors about my opponent’s family members through whisper campaigns or other nefarious methods, nor will we condone anyone who does.

8. Our campaign will publicly post this promise in our district headquarters for staffers and volunteers to read and follow. We will also publish it widely on our new, revised campaign website so that voters will know the principles guiding our campaign.

If elected, I further pledge to the voters that, as their Congressman, I will proudly cast my vote for House Speaker for a conservative Republican who accurately reflects the traditional beliefs and values of the citizens of the 2nd Congressional District. I further pledge I will not vote for Nancy Pelosi or other liberal members for Speaker or House leadership positions, as I believe that runs counter to the wishes of the 2nd District voters.

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"Bright Republican" signs irk Love, GOP

Bob Johnson

Montgomery Advertiser

AUGUST 01, 2008

First there were the "Reagan Democrats" and then Bill Clinton had his conservative, GOP-leaning "soccer moms." Now Democratic 2nd District congressional candidate Bobby Bright has his "Bright Republicans."Signs began popping up this week in yards around the south and central Alabama district that say "I'm A Bright Republican."

It's ruffling the feathers of 2nd District Republican nominee Jay Love and GOP officials, who like to call Bright "a Pelosi Democrat."Bright, the three-term mayor of Montgomery, called himself an independent before deciding to run for Congress as a Democrat. He is receiving financial support from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and from the "blue dogs," a group of conservative Democratic congressmen.Bright is trying to break a Republican hold on the district that stretches back to 1964.

Bright and Love, a state representative from Montgomery, face off in the Nov. 4 general election. The winner will replace Republican U.S. Rep. Terry Everett of Rehobeth, who is retiring after representing the district for 16 years.Bright said he had the signs made because his promise to put aside divisive partisan politics in Washington is playing well across party lines.

"We have a groundswell of Republicans supporting us. Many of them are requesting the signs," Bright said. "Our campaign represents all people across party lines."In campaign speeches Bright has described himself as a conservative who is "pro life," "pro gun" and supports a "strong military."

But Republicans said Bright has accepted money from congressional Democrats, who include House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., and will vote with liberal Democrats if elected to Congress.

"I think it's absurd," Alabama Republican Party chairman Mike Hubbard said of the "Bright Republican" signs. "It just goes to show he's running as far away from the Democratic label as he can. If he's so conservative, why is he taking money from Nancy Pelosi and Charlie Rangel?"

"If this weren't so dishonest, it would almost be funny," said Love's campaign manager, Michael Lowry.Love, a two-term state legislator and Montgomery businessman, said Bright has taken thousands of dollars in campaign money from the Democrats."I don't think the people are going to buy this. I think it's part of his strategy to say to one group 'I'm a Republican,' and to another 'I'm a Democrat' and to another group 'I'm an independent,'" Love said.Auburn Montgomery political scientist D'Linell Finley said the signs remind him of former President Clinton's appeal to soccer moms in the 1990s.

"There are Republicans who will support Bobby Bright. He's been a popular mayor and he has won elections with Republican support," Finley said. He added that it's common in the South for Democrats to be more conservative and independent than in other parts of the country.Finley said he isn't surprised that Republicans are trying to link Bright to the national Democratic Party and to politicians like Pelosi and Rangel."They are using those names to try to rally their conservative base," Finley said.Bright said supporters of his campaign, including Democratic organizations, "are investing in me and my ideals."He said he will push his own agenda, not a liberal one as the Republicans claim, if he is elected to Congress."I'm going to push for America first and for District 2 second. I'm going to put any kind of party preference in the back seat," Bright said.

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Bobby Bright for Congress

Bobby Bright is a democrat seeking the 2nd Congressional District seat that was left open when Rep Terry Everett retired. He is a graduate of Thomas Goode Jones School of Law and the National Judicial College. He worked as an attorney for 16 yrs before becoming running for mayor. He has served as mayor for the city of Montgomery (the capitol of Alabama) for the past 9 yrs.

His accomplishments include; Central Alabama Planning and Development Commission,Director of The Alabama Baptist Board,Director of the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce Board and Member of the Governor's Homeland Security Task force.

Mayor Bobby Bright is married to retired judge Lynn Clardy Bright and has three children.

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REPUBLICAN JAY LOVE

Jay Love was elected to the Alabama Legislature in November of 2002 and is currently serving his second term in office. He holds the position of Minority Whip in the Alabama Republican Caucus leadership and serves as the Ranking Republican member of the important Government Finance and Appropriations budget-writing committee. He also serves on the House Constitution and Elections Committee.
Throughout his time in the office, Jay has enjoyed several legislative accomplishments. Because of his ability to work with Republicans and Democrats alike, Jay successfully convinced the Legislature to pass the first tax cuts enjoyed by Alabamians in more than 70 years. He continues to push for additional state tax cuts for Alabama’s middle class families and small business owners.
Jay has also co-sponsored important legislation, such as the Unborn Victims of Violence Act, which protects unborn life from violent crime. In addition, he made national headlines by sponsoring legislation that would prevent minors from being exposed to violent or sexually explicit video games.
Jay and his wife, Cheri, have been married for 13 years and have four children – Rachel, Addison, Rebecca and Caroline. Active in his church, he serves as a Deacon at First Baptist in Montgomery and also holds a seat on the Finance Committee.

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Wall Street Journal Article

The New Southern Strategy

Greg Hitt

The Wall Street Journal

AUGUST 07, 2008

Democrats Tap Conservative Candidates in GOP Bastions

PRATTVILLE, Ala --

This is how shaky Republican fortunes are in 2008: In one of the most conservative corners of the conservative South, Democrats stand a good chance of winning a congressional seat.[Bobby Bright]This working-class, mostly rural district has been controlled by Republicans since 1964, when Alabama's white electorate began its long turn away from the Democratic Party. In 2004, President George W. Bush won 67% of the district's vote.

Today's leading candidate is Bobby Bright, a self-styled "Southern conservative" and sharecropper's son from remote Alabama farm country. In another era, he would have run as a Republican. But he's a Democrat, and early polls strongly suggest he can win.Spurred by the souring economy and a newfound willingness to embrace conservative candidates, the Democratic Party is running its most competitive campaign across the South in 40 years, fielding potential winners along a rib of states stretching from Louisiana to Virginia, the heart of the Old Confederacy. Sen. Barack Obama's ability to excite African-American voters in certain Southern races could provide an additional boost, too.

The party's rising prospects point toward a once unthinkable goal: a reversal of the "Great Reversal," the switch in political loyalties in the 1960s that made the South a Republican stronghold for a generation.

If the current picture holds, Democrats could use the Southern strength to help craft a workable Senate majority and expand their majority in the House of Representatives. At the very least, it widens the field of competitive seats, forcing Republicans to fight fires in once-reliably solid areas."This is clearly new territory," says Maryland Rep. Chris Van Hollen, the Democratic Party's chief strategist for House races.

The story of Mr. Bright, the current mayor of Montgomery, could have been sketched by Robert Penn Warren, the novelist who famously captured the essence of Southern populism. Stocky and square-shouldered, Mr. Bright professes a love of chicken livers and is a deacon in Montgomery's First Baptist Church. Despite nearly a decade in politics, he is still a bit rough around the edges: A poster on the wall of his campaign office, scrawled in black marker, reminds Mr. Bright to say "please" when making fund-raising calls.

Mr. Bright toyed with the idea of running as a Republican. He spoke with party activists "and prayed on it." But he decided that he felt more at home with the Democrats, whom he describes as the party of working people and the party of diversity."The Republican Party has done a wonderful job of making it appear that you don't have a choice," said Mr. Bright, standing on a sidewalk in downtown Prattville, dabbing at sweat beading on his forehead. "But that's changing. That's changing with me."

"Party means less today than it has in my lifetime in Alabama," says state Rep. David Grimes, who lost to Mr. Love in the nomination battle for the congressional seat. Mr. Grimes says the mayor's ties to southeast Alabama, especially his blue-collar upbringing and conservative values, will serve him well in November."I tell you this: Bobby Bright is going to be the man to beat."

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Setting the stage

On a recent trip to Alabama, the head of the National Republican Congressional Committee called Alabama one of the most important battlegrounds in the country — in part, because Democrats are trying to expand their majority in Congress by targeting the South. Republicans have won elections in this district since1964. Bobby Bright, (Dem) mayor of Montgomery, Ala. and Jay Love (Rep) are running for the seat left open by the retirement of Republican Rep. Terry Everett.

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