Home About Chat Users Issues Party Candidates Polling Firms Media News Polls Calendar Key Races United States President Senate House Governors International

New User Account
"A comprehensive, collaborative elections resource." 
Email: Password:

  Bonner, Jo
CANDIDATE DETAILS
AffiliationRepublican  
  2011-01-01  
 
NameJo Bonner
Address
Mobile, Alabama , United States
EmailNone
Websitehttp://www.jobonner.com/
Born November 19, 1959 (64 years)
ContributorJoshua L.
Last ModifedRBH
Aug 02, 2019 07:12pm
Tags Caucasian - Married - Christian - Episcopalian - Protestant - Straight -
InfoCongressman Callahan's Ex-Chief of Staff

On June 25, 2002, Mobile resident Jo Bonner won the Republican nomination for Alabama's First Congressional District. Bonner, former chief of staff to retiring U.S. Rep. Sonny Callahan, R-Mobile, defeated his runoff opponent, Tom Young, former chief of staff to U.S. Senator Richard Shelby, by a 62%-38% margin. Prior to the runoff, Bonner led a seven-person field in the Republican primary on June 4, which included some of the most qualified candidates ever to run for the seat.

A Native of South Alabama

Josiah (Jo) Robins Bonner, Jr., age 42, is a native of Camden in Wilcox County. He is a lifelong voter and taxpayer in the First District. He served as Callahan's press secretary during Sonny's first run for Congress in 1984 and he accompanied Sonny to Washington as his Congressional press secretary in 1985. In this capacity Jo became the Congressman's official spokesman and liaison to local, state, national and international press.

Just four years later, in 1989, Sonny named Jo his new Chief of Staff, becoming one of the youngest people in Alabama - and nationally - to have the responsibilities of both Chief of Staff and Press Secretary. In 1997, Jo and his family moved back to Mobile where he became one of only a handful of Chiefs of Staff nationally who lived and worked in the district.

The Mobile Register described Jo Bonner as Sonny Callahan's "straight-shooting" chief administrator. Arguably, few people are better qualified to continue the tradition of outstanding constituent service that South Alabamians have come to know and expect from their Congressman than Jo Bonner.

A Proven Leader

As Callahan's top aide, Jo directed a staff of 14 who, together with the congressman, worked hard every day to serve the more than 635,000 people who live and work in Alabama's First Congressional District.

Under Jo's leadership, Callahan's office was recognized last year by the Mobile Chamber of Commerce as one of the Top 10 offices in Mobile for providing prompt, efficient customer service. More impressive, it was the only public office to make the list.

Further, Jo Bonner's upbringing in rural South Alabama instilled in him the conservative values that guided his efforts to save South Alabama taxpayers more than $1 million in the operation of Callahan's Congressional office.

A History of Public Service

Jo Bonner grew up in a family where public service is looked upon as an obligation, not an option. His father, the late Judge Josiah Robins Bonner, led Wilcox County during the often-tense 1960s and early 1970s. Other relatives, including his grandmother and great-uncle, served with distinction in local and state government as well. His mother, an Army nurse during World War II, was often seen volunteering at the local blood drive.

A true "Compassionate Conservative"

Before it became a popular phrase in the 2000 presidential campaign, Jo Bonner lived the life of a true compassionate conservative.

On fiscal matters, there are few people more committed to responsible federal spending than Jo Bonner. He understands firsthand that the money Congress spends belongs to the American people, not the government. As such, Jo Bonner will work tirelessly to help restore fiscal discipline, all-the-while supporting President Bush in the effort to win the war against terrorism and keep Americans safe.

On social matters, Jo Bonner is a conservative with a big heart. He supports efforts such as "Leave No Child Behind," and will be a Congressman we can all be proud of when it comes to making certain that all South Alabamians have access to good, high paying jobs, better education and first-rate, affordable health care. No candidate for Congress knows the First District better, and no candidate has been better trained and prepared to hit the ground running, on day one, to work on our behalf.

Giving back to the Community

Jo is married to the former Jan�e Lambert of Mobile. Jo and Jan�e have a daughter, Jennifer Lee, age 6, and a son, Josiah Robins, III, age 4. The Bonners make their home in Mobile where both Jo and Jan�e are active in a number of civic and community activities.

Jo serves on the board of directors for the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, Leadership Mobile and the Mobile Chapter of the University of Alabama Alumni Association. In addition, he is a member of the Presidents Advisory Council for the University of Mobile, as well as the board of community advisors for the Junior League of Mobile.

Jo represents Congressman Callahan on the Alabama Commission on Aerospace Science and Industry. He was a member of Leadership Mobile, Class of 2000, where his classmates elected him co-president. He recently completed a term on the Alabama Advisory Board for Fannie Mae, Inc., and today, he serves as chairman of the International Committee for the Mobile Tricentennial.

Jo is a 1982 graduate of the University of Alabama with a degree in journalism. In 2000, the College of Communication at The University honored him as their Outstanding Alumnus in Public Relations. The Bonners are members of St. Paul's Episcopal Church.



JOB APPROVAL POLLS

BOOKS
Title Purchase Contributor

EVENTS
Start Date End Date Type Title Contributor

NEWS
Date Category Headline Article Contributor
May 23, 2013 01:30pm News Rep. Jo Bonner resigning from Congress  Article RBH 

DISCUSSION
Importance? 0.00000 Average

FAMILY
Father Josiah Bonner 0000-
Sister Judy L. Bonner 0000-

INFORMATION LINKS
Encyclopedia of Alabama  Discuss
RACES
  11/06/2012 AL - District 01 Won 97.86% (+95.71%)
  03/13/2012 AL District 01 - R Primary Won 55.55% (+31.24%)
  11/02/2010 AL - District 01 Won 82.58% (+65.72%)
  06/01/2010 AL District 01 - R Primary Won 75.25% (+50.50%)
  11/04/2008 AL - District 01 Won 98.27% (+96.54%)
  11/07/2006 AL - District 01 Won 68.10% (+36.28%)
  11/02/2004 AL - District 01 Won 63.12% (+26.31%)
  11/05/2002 AL District 01 Won 60.50% (+22.72%)
  06/25/2002 AL District 1 - R Runoff Won 62.44% (+24.88%)
  06/04/2002 AL District 1 - R Primary Won 40.26% (+19.92%)
SPECULATIVE, DID NOT RUN
  06/05/2018 AL Governor - R Primary Lost 0.00% (-56.11%)
ENDORSEMENTS
AL Republican Party Chair - Feb 20, 2011 R Jay Love, Jr.
AL Governor - R Runoff - Jul 13, 2010 R Bradley Byrne
AL District 05 - R Primary - Jun 01, 2010 D Parker Griffith
AL Governor - R Primary - Jun 06, 2006 R Bob Riley
FEC COMMITTEES
C00375220 Jo Bonner for Congress Committee $ 10825.54