The district was re-drawn several years ago and Democrat Gerald Watkins has held the office since the 2012 election. He chose not to run again and was elected Tuesday to the Paducah City Commission.
Commenting on the district's Democratic majority in registered voters, Bridges told WestKentuckyStar, "it's an uphill battle, but I think it shows where the area is starting to go back to that (conservatism). There's so many Democrats that tell me every day, 'I'm registered this, but I vote Republican most all the time.' The Democrats were have -a big part of them - are very conservative."
He said the hard work really starts on Wednesday - working across the aisle for continued economic growth, workforce development and education. Bridge said he's humbled that he was chosen, and he's going to work his hardest to be the voice western Kentucky needs - especially Paducah and McCracken County.
"I think if we can get the economic growth to western Kentucky like it's going on in the rest of the state, I think that's going to solve a lot of the problems we face," Bridges said.
In spite of how he was targeted by the Kentucky Family Values PAC, Bridges said he was proud of the fact that he and Emmons did not buy any negative campaign ads.
Bridges said he looks forward to working with Representative-elect Chris Freeland and Senator Danny Carroll, along with Representatives Richard Heath and Steven Rudy.
He said, "We can go to Frankfort and be a voice, and we have not been able to do that in a long time, and I'm excited about it."
