In November 2008, the people of Alabama's First District voted to return Congressman Jo Bonner to the House of Representatives for a fourth term. Mobile's Press-Register recently noted Bonner "continues to move up in the House GOP ranks, gaining key committee assignments and building prestige as a member of House Minority Leader John Boehner's leadership team."
Just last year, Bonner was appointed to the House Committee on Appropriations. At a time when fiscal discipline is under intense scrutiny, the Steering Committee entrusted Bonner with the seat to help reform the earmark process and restore fiscal credibility to Washington. Bonner’s priority is to serve as a vigilant guardian of the taxpayers’ money, helping to eliminate wasteful and questionable spending. At the beginning of the 111th Congress, Bonner was named to the Commerce, Justice, and Science Subcommittee as well as the Labor, Health, and Human Services Subcommittee.
In addition to the Appropriations Committee, the Republican leadership named Bonner ranking Republican member of the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, more commonly known as the Ethics Committee. With the topic of ethics at the forefront of so many discussions in Washington, Bonner was first tapped by his peers at the beginning of the 110th Congress to serve on the committee that has jurisdiction over matters relating to the Code of Official Conduct. Bonner will also continue to serve as an assistant on the Republican Whip Team, a position to which he was named as an incoming freshman in the 108th Congress.
A hallmark of Bonner's term in office has been a constituent-first approach, as evidenced by a staff that continues to give nothing short of 110 percent effort. In fact, Mobile’s Press-Register noted, "In his six years in Congress, the Mobile Republican has earned a reputation as a tireless and effective advocate for his constituents in southwest Alabama."
Looking Ahead
During the past six years, Bonner, in coordination with local and state leaders, has been proactive in helping to successfully attract new industries to the First District instilling growth and creativity as we move further into the 21st century. Bonner has worked aggressively alongside Alabama Governor Bob Riley recruiting several significant economic projects to the state – projects that will continue to fuel the economic engine of Alabama for generations to come.
In 2007, one of the largest private industrial development projects in the United States – ThyssenKrupp’s $4 billion steel plant – was announced for Alabama’s First District. In fact, Mobile County ended 2007 as the top location for new business in Alabama. Incredibly, out of all the metropolitan areas in the United States, Mobile County will have the fastest growing economy over the next five years according to Moody’s Economy.com. Site Selection magazine even ranked Alabama's 2007 business climate as Number 5 in the nation.
A native of south Alabama
Born in Selma and reared in the town of Camden in rural Wilcox County, Bonner grew up in a family where public service was looked upon as an obligation, not an option. His father, the late Judge Josiah Robins Bonner, led Wilcox County during the tense 1960s and early 1970s. Other relatives, including his grandmother and great-uncle, served with distinction in both local and state government. His mother, an Army nurse during World War II, was often seen volunteering at local blood drives.
A congressional staffer for 18 years, Bonner served as both press secretary and chief of staff to his predecessor, former Congressman Sonny Callahan. In 1997, he and his family moved back to southwest Alabama where he became one of the few congressional chiefs of staff to reside in the district.
Upon returning home, Bonner became active in the life of Mobile and southwest Alabama. Today, he is a member of the Rotary Club of Mobile, the Mobile Lions Club, Mobile United and the Touchdown Club. Additionally, he serves as a member of the University of Mobile's President's Advisory Council, the advisory board for the Salvation Army, and the board of community advisors for the Junior League of Mobile. He has also served as a member of 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 2000, the College of Communications at the University of Alabama honored him as their Outstanding Alumnus in Public Relations. He was a member of Leadership Mobile, Class of 2000, where his classmates elected him co-president.
Jo Bonner is married to the former Janée Lambert of Mobile. They are parents of a daughter, Jennifer Lee, age 14, and a son, Josiah Robins, III, age 12. The Bonners make their home in Mobile and are members of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.
