Gwen Graham sets independent tone first day in Congress

WASHINGTON – It didn’t take long for Gwen Graham to assert her independence.

On Tuesday, her first day as a member of Congress, the daughter of former Gov. Bob Graham voted against Rep. Nancy Pelosi of California as House speaker. In doing so, she made good on a campaign pledge to seek a new, more bipartisan direction on Capitol Hill by choosing someone she views as more of a bridge-builder.

That someone was Tennessee Rep. Jim Cooper, a low-key, moderate Democrat from Nashville, Tenn. Graham was the only House lawmaker who voted for Cooper, who wasn’t seeking the speaker’s post anyway.

“He meets my criteria as someone who can be bipartisan,” Graham said as she walked to the House floor Tuesday to be sworn in.

Republican Rep. John Boehner of Ohio retained the speakership, garnering 216 of 408 votes cast. He was almost assured of victory because Republicans hold 246 House seats to 188 held by Democrats. But Boehner had to overcome determined opposition from far-right conservatives, who secured 25 votes against him.

Pelosi, the top Democrat in the House, received 164 votes. Graham was one of four Democrats to vote against her.

Graham’s vote is likely to increase the attention she’s already received as one of only two Democrats to unseat a sitting Republican in what was otherwise a banner election year for the GOP nationwide. She narrowly defeated two-term incumbent Steve Southerland in November.

At her Capitol Hill office, a line of visitors eager to congratulate her snaked along a hallway. Prominent lawmakers, including the second-most powerful House Democrat — Rep. Steny Hoyer of Maryland — warmly welcomed her into the fold.

Family members, including her politically famous father, beamed as they watched her greet well-wishers in a corner office that sported a stuffed possum and football helmets from the 2nd District’s two prominent college programs, Florida State University and Florida A&M.

Bob Graham, who campaigned with his daughter last year, accompanied her to the chamber and sat next to her on the House floor as she took her oath of office.

“It’s a great day,” the new congresswoman said at one point. “But there are so many great days in the past and in the future.”

Some Democrats already are floating Graham as a possible Senate candidate in 2016 if Republican Sen. Marco Rubio gives up his seat to run for the White House.

And Republicans already are targeting her as a vulnerable candidate for re-election, particularly if the courts redraw congressional districts to make her Big Bend seat less Democratic.

Graham was just trying to enjoy her first day on the job. She’s already hired most of her staff in Washington and in district offices in Tallahassee and Panama City. As of Tuesday, she was still waiting to hear about committee assignments.

“What I pay attention to is, how can I make the best of every day for the people of the second congressional district,” she said. “That’s what I focus on.”

Bob Graham said he hasn’t given his daughter much advice except when asked. But he did volunteer that seeking higher office too quickly can lead to defeat.

“The political graveyard is filled with people who got elected to office A and immediately began preparing to run for office C or D,” he said. “The best endorsement for future progress in politics is to do an excellent job with your current responsibilities. I think she has taken that advice.”

Contact Ledyard King at lking@gannett.com; Twitter: @ledgeking