- Associated Press - Monday, November 14, 2016

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - Republican James Comer got a head start on other members of Congress’ incoming freshman class when he was sworn in as Kentucky’s newest congressman Monday evening, a year after losing a heartbreaking primary in the race for governor.

Comer, 44, took the oath to fill the remainder of former U.S. Rep. Ed Whitfield’s term from Kentucky’s 1st Congressional District.

The former state agriculture commissioner also won election last week to a full, two-year term starting next year. Joining Comer in Washington for his swearing-in was a group of family and friends, including ex-colleagues from the Kentucky legislature and the state Agriculture Department.

Comer was among three new members sworn in Monday evening. Each got a minute to address the House.

Comer told the chamber that he pledged to be a statesman and a strong voice for rural Kentucky.

“I’m going to pledge … to work with anyone in the chamber that’s serious about balancing the budget, securing our borders and creating an environment where every American can have access to a good-paying job,” Comer said in a phone interview earlier Monday.

Comer is the lone newcomer in Kentucky’s six-member U.S. House delegation, which includes five Republicans and one Democrat.

Comer is still awaiting committee assignments. He will work out of Whitfield’s office until the end of this year’s session, but then move elsewhere when a more senior member of Congress occupies Whitfield’s old office.

Comer’s election to Congress capped a quick comeback for the one-time gubernatorial front-runner.

Just a year and a half ago, Comer found himself back home in Monroe County with seemingly no immediate political prospects. In the spring of 2015, he lost to Matt Bevin by a scant 83 votes for the Republican nomination for governor. Bevin went on to defeat Democrat Jack Conway.

A few months later in 2015 after Comer’s wrenching defeat, Whitfield announced he would not seek another term in 2016, creating the opening for Comer. Whitfield officially resigned from office a couple of months before last week’s election.

Comer emerged from a four-way GOP primary earlier this year and trounced his Democratic opponent in last week’s election.

Comer said he hopes those ups-and-downs make him “a more compassionate congressman and someone that really sees the big picture.”

“Few people get a second chance,” Comer said Monday. “I understand that it’s pretty miraculous that this window of opportunity opened up. … And it opened up at the perfect time for me.”

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