As you read this article, Senator Bob Corker is just beginning his official term.We caught up with him as he was boarding a plane during the frantic transitional period following the election to ask him about his plans.

Trend: What does it mean to you to be one of a very few Chattanoogans ever elected to statewide office, and the first since 1970?

Senator Corker: It’s a tremendous honor. My goal is to make Tennesseans in Chattanooga and all across our great state proud of the way I serve them in the Senate. I believe our country has entered a crucial time when we will be making critical decisions about America’s future. It’s a privilege to represent my home city and state. My voice will be in Washington but my heart will stay at home.

Trend: What benefit does our region gain from having a native of Southeast Tennessee as one of the state’s two senators?

Senator Corker: Because I’ve served in a statewide capacity as finance commission- er and as mayor of Chattanooga, I’ve developed a deep understanding of local, regional, and statewide issues. Those positions gave me the opportunity to develop relationships that will allow me to work in concert with local and state officials. That kind of teamwork will be extremely important when it comes to recruitment and other economic development issues.

Trend: How will you deal with being a freshman senator in the minority party, and what will you do to distinguish yourself from your colleagues?

Senator Corker: Throughout my public life, I’ve always worked across party lines to get the job done. When I served as commissioner of finance during a Republican administration, there were only 35 Republicans in a 99-person house. I reached out and worked with others and was able to make good things happen for our state. The U.S. Senate is set up to make people work together in a bi-partisan fashion. I plan to take the same work ethic and bi-partisan approach I’ve applied throughout my career to the senate, so we can make progress on the issues Tennesseans care deeply about.

Trend: What have you found to be the greatest challenge in transitioning from an executive capacity to legislating at the highest levels?

Senator Corker: Because I haven’t begun my term, I don’t have a complete answer for that question, but there’s a fundamental difference between the way I served as mayor and how I will contribute as a legislator. As mayor, I was charged with setting the agenda, creating the vision, and putting tools in place to make things happen.  As a senator, I will be working with others to identify solutions. It’s a very different type of service, but I’m extremely excited about it and can’t wait to get started. 

Trend: What skills did you acquire as mayor of Chattanooga that will help you succeed as a senator?  What lessons did you learn as mayor that you hope to apply at the national level?

Senator Corker: One of the great things about being mayor of a city is your close relationship with the citizens and your ability to work closely with them on a daily basis. That experience had a major impact on me. As a U.S. senator, I am committed to maintaining that kind of close contact with people across the state of Tennessee. Having strong relationships with the people you serve is the key to representing them effectively.

Trend: What has surprised you the most in your transition from candidate to senator?

Senator Corker: I’m still very much in the middle of making that transition. We’ve been gearing up and working to put a topnotch staff in place. There’s a tremendous amount to learn and so many events to attend and people to meet. It’s really as if nothing ever stopped. I’ve gone from the campaign to immediately being involved in orientation to being immediately involved in setting up a staff to going across the state to thank the voters and connect with the people I will be representing. The whole process has been one continuum.

Trend: What are your top legislative priorities for business in this congressional session?

Senator Corker: From a big picture perspective,  I plan to focus on energy independence, making healthcare more affordable and accessible, and doing everything I can to ensure U.S. competitiveness in the global marketplace. What that will mean for businesspeople is that I will continue my commitment to keeping taxes low and relieving them from burdensome regulation. I will also take advantage of every opportunity to encourage the private sector to invest in research and development and innovation.

Trend: What do you hope to accomplish for Tennessee?

Senator Corker: Throughout the campaign I’ve been able to see that each region of our state has different assets. I want to work with local government officials, businesspeople and civic leaders to bring out the best in each area. I’m proud to say that the first official call I received after the election was from Mayor Ramsey and Trevor Hamilton. They were calling to ask me to work on some projects for the Chattanooga area.  From my experience as mayor, I know how important it is for senators to engage, especially when large companies are making a decision to invest. As a U.S. senator, I am committed to calling on corporate executives and engaging in any way I can to bring new jobs to Tennessee.

Trend: Do you see any signs of the bipartisanship that both parties said they hoped to achieve?

Senator Corker: I do. I’ve sensed it from  day one. The group of freshmen senators consists of 9 people from another party and myself. We’ve already created a sense of collegiality. I’ve met with a lot of senators from both sides of the aisle, and I’m committed to finding a way to work with them.