Alabama Republican Bradley Byrne has been sworn in as the newest member of the the House of Representatives.
Byrne easily won a December special election to fill Alabama's 1st Congressional District.
His victory in the general election came after a contentious GOP primary. That race pitted Byrne against businessman Dean Young. Byrne had the backing of many business groups including the Chamber of Commerce. Young was a favorite of local tea party groups and refused to back Byrne after losing to him.
Byrne is a former state senator and chancellor of the Alabama Community College System. He ran unsuccessfully in 2010 for governor of Alabama.
Byrne is filling the seat held by former GOP Rep. Jo Bonner, who resigned last August to work for the University of Alabama system.
