Cohen supporters gather around the freshman congressman in a show of admiration. (Photos by Wiley Henry)

On a hot and muggy Saturday afternoon, U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen announced his candidacy for reelection before a bevy of cheering supporters at his campaign headquarters at 1803 Union Ave.

Standing on his promises to work hard for his constituents in the 9th Congressional District, Cohen talked about some of his important bills in Congress, local and national endorsements, and the ‘A’ he received from the NAACP on his voting record.

He also talked about the Lottery Scholarship, for which he championed, and funding for Historically Black Colleges & Universities, particularly LeMoyne-Owen College.

Randy Wade, Cohen’s district director, was so excited about the congressman’s remarks, he moved upfront to the platform on which Cohen was speaking and pounded his fist in approval, breaking his wristwatch.

“Yes, sir!” he yelled.

After Cohen finished his remarks, Wade stepped onto the platform and lifted the congressman at least a foot into the air. Others shared Wade’s excitement by posing for photographs with the congressman.  

Randy Wade, Cohen’s district director, was so excited after hearing the congressman’s message, he jump onto the platform and embraced him.

Cohen keeps a rigorous schedule. During a recent campaign stop at LeMoyne Owen College, the freshman congressman talked to a group of ninth-graders in the college’s Upward Bound Program.

That day (May 24) was special for Cohen, who told the students from Carver, Hamilton and Booker T. Washington high schools, “It’s my birthday.” But that didn’t stop the congressman from making his rounds to discuss politics.     

“I work hard and sometimes I think the ‘Energizer Bunny’ will run out of energy,” said Cohen, referring to himself as the bunny that keeps on going and going.

But Cohen never stopped campaigning even after emerging the victor in a contentious congressional race in 2006. And his post election support is now expanding. “Eight of the people (Cohen’s opponents) last time are now on my team,” he said.

“It’s gratifying to know that people are in tune to what we’re doing and how hard we’ve worked … the constituency service and the voting we’re doing … and the groundwork we’ve laid for having a successful congressional service.”

U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, touting his first term in the House of Representatives, said several dozen congressmen across the country are now supporting him for reelection.

During his first term in Congress, Cohen has sponsored, cosponsored and voted yes on a number of bills including HR 1592, a bill that amends the federal definition of a hate crime to include gender identity and sexual orientation.

His support of that bill drew opposition from some local ministers who claimed the bill was a thinly veiled attempt to undermine one’s freedom of speech.

Cohen also supported HR 5715, a bill that increases limits for student loans, changes repayment requirements for parents, and temporarily allows the government to purchase loans from certain lenders.  

In May, Cohen announced a $10.4 billion bipartisan farm bill to curtail rising food prices for 38 million families and commits the government to environmental conservation.

Cohen is also negotiating for more money for The MED, which he defended last year on the House Floor against a Republican-led challenge. With The MED strapped for funds, he argued for reimbursement for services rendered to patients in Arkansas and Mississippi.

The 9th district is 60 percent African American and 36 percent white. It is located entirely in Shelby County and includes much of the inner-city. Business development opportunities, Cohen said, will give the district a needed economic boost.

“We’re trying to help small businesses with grants and opportunities with the federal government,” he added. “And we’re working on tax credits for investments in the inner-city.”

Cohen also is looking into performance bonds. “If we’re successful, it would be great,” he said, “if not, it will lay the ground work for the future.”

He said several future projects are on the drawing board as well for Whitehaven and Orange Mound, and summer jobs for youth.

With a Cohen yard sign in hand, this supporter prepares to go to work for the congressman.

In a three-way race between Cohen, Nikki Tinker and state Rep. Joe Towns Jr., the Washington-based firm Lake Research Partners said Cohen will carry the majority of the electorate in the 9th district race.

Cohen, who commissioned the survey, said he feels confident about the poll results.