Summary
Current Position: US Representative of GA-02 since 1993
Affiliation: Democrat
Former Positions: State Senator from 1991 – 1993; State Delegate from 1977 – 1991
Other Positions: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies
District: Southwestern portion of the state inclucing Albany, Americus, Bainbridge, and Thomasville. It also contains most of Columbus and most of Macon. The district is also the historic and current home of former President Jimmy Carter.
Upcoming Election:
He served in the United States Army between 1969 and 1971.[4] Bishop subsequently operated a law firm in Columbus, Georgia. Bishop was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 1977, where he remained until being elected to the Georgia Senate in 1990.
OnAir Post: Sanford Bishop GA-02
News
About
Source: Government page
Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. is serving his fourteenth term in the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Georgia’s Second Congressional District, which covers 29 middle and southwest Georgia counties: Bibb (in part), Baker, Calhoun, Chattahoochee, Clay, Crawford, Crisp, Decatur, Dooly, Dougherty, Early, Grady, Lee, Macon, Marion, Miller, Mitchell, Muscogee (in part), Peach, Quitman, Randolph, Seminole, Schley, Stewart, Sumter, Talbot, Taylor, Terrell, and Webster.
The middle and southwest Georgia legislator seeks to use the legislative process to create a higher, better quality of life for all citizens by promoting jobs and a stronger, more diversified economy, opportunities for rural areas, better education, safe and secure communities, a clean environment, affordable and accessible health care, sustainable agriculture, energy independence, and a strong national defense — all within the context of a balanced budget.
Personal
Full Name: Sanford D. Bishop, Jr.
Gender: Male
Family: Wife: Vivian; 1 Stepchild: Aayesha
Birth Date: 02/04/1947
Birth Place: Mobile, AL
Home City: Albany, GA
Religion: Christian
Source: Vote Smart
Education
JD, Emory University, 1971
BA, Political Science, Morehouse College, 1968
Political Experience
Senior Whip, United States House of Representatives, 2007-2008, present
Representative, United States House of Representatives, Georgia, District 2, 1993-present
Candidate, United States House of Representatives, Georgia, District 2, 2020, 2022
Senator, Georgia State Senate, 1991-1992
Representative, Georgia State State House of Representatives, 1977-1990
Professional Experience
Partner, Bishop and Buckner, Professional Corporation, 1978-1992
Partner, Bishop and Hudlin, 1972-1978
Attorney, Legal Defense Fund, 1971-1972
Served, United States Army, Reserve Officer Training Corps, 1969-1971
Offices
Washington, DC Office
2407 Rayburn HOB Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-3631
Fax: 202-225-2203
Albany District Office
323 Pine Avenue, Suite 400Albany, GA 31701
Phone: 229-439-8067
Fax: 229-436-2099
Coumbus District Office
18 Ninth Street, Suite 201 Columbus, GA 31901
Phone: 706-320-9477
Fax: 706-320-9479
Macon District Office
300 Mulberry Street, Suite 502 Macon, GA 31201
Phone: 478-803-2631
Fax: 478-803-2637
Contact
Email: Government
Web Links
Politics
Source: none
Election Results
To learn more, go to this wikipedia section in this post.
Finances
Source: Open Secrets
Committees
The committee is where the bulk of the work is done in Congress once a piece of legislation is introduced and entered into the Congressional Record. Congressman Bishop serves on the House Committee on Appropriations as well as the House Committee on Agriculture.
The House Committee on Appropriations consists of 12 subcommittees, each of which is responsible for appropriations measures that provide funding for numerous activities such as national defense, education, and homeland security, as well as general government operations. Congress has developed certain rules and practices for the consideration of appropriations measures, referred to as the congressional appropriations process. For more information about the Appropriations process, please visit my Appropriations page.
Congressman Bishop serves on three Subcommittees of the Appropriations Committee. Click on the links below for more information on Congressman Bishop’s subcommittees:
Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies
Ranking Member (the leader of the minority caucus for this subcommittee)
Jurisdiction: Department of Agriculture (Except Forest Service), Farm Credit Administration, Farm Credit System Financial Assistance Corporation, Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Food and Drug Administration (HHS)
Subcommittee on Financial Services
Jurisdiction: Department of the Treasury (except Debt Restructuring, International Affairs Technical Assistance, and International Financial Institutions); District of Columbia; The Judiciary; Executive Office of the President (except Office of Science and Technology Policy, Office of the United States Trade Representative, and Council on Environmental Quality and Office of Environmental Quality); Independent Agencies: Administrative Conference of the United States, Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation, Consumer Product Safety Commission, Election Assistance Commission, Federal Communications Commission, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Office of the Inspector General, Federal Election Commission, Federal Labor Relations Authority, Federal Trade Commission, General Services Administration, Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation, Merit Systems Protection Board, Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation, National Archives and Records Administration, National Credit Union Administration, Office of Government Ethics, Office of Personnel Management and Related Trust Funds, Office of Special Counsel, Postal Regulatory Commission, Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board, Recovery and Accountability Transparency Board, Securities and Exchange Commission, Selective Service System, Small Business Administration, United States Postal Service, Payment to the Postal Service Fund, United States Tax Court; General Provisions, Government-wide
Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies
Jurisdiction: Department of Defense (Military Construction, Military Family Housing Construction, Family Housing Improvement Fund, Military Unaccompanied Housing Improvement Fund, Homeowners Assistance Fund, BRAC, NATO Security Investment Program), Department of Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies (American Battle Monuments Commission, Armed Forces Retirement Home, Department of Defense, Civil, Cemeterial Expenses, Army U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims). The Congressman previously served as the Vice Chair of this committee in the 117th Congress.
Within the Agriculture Committee, Congressman Bishop serves on two subcommittees. Click on the links below for more information about them:
General Farm Commodities and Risk Management
Jurisdiction: Oversight of programs and markets for major commercial and specialty crops. It also reviews operations of the Commodity Credit Corporation, crop insurance programs, and commodity exchanges.
Caucuses
In addition to his committee assignment, Congressman Bishop is a member of a number of caucuses and task forces that help him better serve the people of Southwest Georgia:
Congressional Military Family Caucus, Co-Chairman
The primary goal of the Congressional Military Family Caucus is to foster the interests of family members of the uniformed services by educating Members of Congress and their staff on the challenges that a military family faces on a daily basis, and to see that these concerns are properly identified, addressed, and resolved.
Congressional Peanut Caucus, Co-Chairman
The Congressional Peanut Caucus (CPC) is a group of 17 lawmakers representing states with significant peanut farming and production. Members of the CPC have agreed to work together to ensure that peanut interests have a strong voice in Congress, and that peanut issues are taken into account in agricultural legislation. The CPC is co-Chaired by U.S. Representatives Martha Roby (R-AL) and Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (D-GA).
The Congressional Black Caucus was formed in 1969 when the 13 black members of the U.S. House of Representatives joined together to strengthen their efforts to address the legislative concerns of black and minority citizens. Congressman Bishop is the co-chair of the 2014 CBC Legislative Conference.
The Blue Dog Coalition
The fiscally conservative Democratic Blue Dog Coalition was formed in 1995 with the goal of representing the center of the House of Representatives and appealing to the mainstream values of the American public. The Blue Dogs are dedicated to a core set of beliefs that transcend partisan politics, including a deep commitment to the financial stability and national security of the United States.
- Budget and Financial Services Task Force
- Energy Task Force
Congressional Chicken Caucus
The Congressional Chicken Caucus (CCC) was formed to educate other Members of Congress about the history, contributions and concerns of the U.S. chicken industry, which emanate from a wide range of issues pertaining to food safety, trade, labor, immigration and the environment. This bipartisan caucus consists of Members interested in the various issues affecting the U.S. chicken industry. It also provides a platform to discuss the role of government in addressing current and future industry challenges. In addition, the Chicken Caucus serves as a forum where chicken producers, processors, consumers, and retailers can provide Members of Congress with their thoughts and suggestions on how to sustain and improve our poultry industries.
Bicameral Congressional Caucus on Parkinson’s Disease
The Bicameral Congressional Caucus on Parkinson’s Disease was created to increase awareness on Capitol Hill about Parkinson’s disease issues, and as a means to keep Members of Congress and their staffs informed of the latest developments in Parkinson’s-related legislation and biomedical research.
Bipartisan Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer’s Disease
The Task Force grew out of a desire to create a vehicle within Congress that could focus national attention on Alzheimer’s disease and the health crisis it presents. The Task Force provides an important forum where issues and proposed solutions concerning Alzheimer’s could be discussed and investigated.
Capital Fraternal Caucus
Founded in the summer of 2002, the Capital Fraternal Caucus stemmed from the formerly named Greek PAC. The group began as a way to develop and maintain a Greek presence in DC. The CFC has worked extensively on legislative efforts and civic engagement efforts relating to fraternities and sororities on issues relating to freedom of association, Title IX, housing and infrastructure improvements, and fire prevention.
HBCU Congressional Caucus
Launched in April 2015 to support the nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), the mission of the Bipartisan Congressional HBCU Caucus is to highlight and address unique challenges that HBCUs face; and to make sure their needs are heard and recognized on Capitol Hill. The purpose of the Caucus is to promote and protect the interests of HBCUs, create a national dialogue, educate other Members of Congress and their staff, and work to draft meaningful bipartisan legislation to address the needs of HBCUs, and to support students and graduates of HBCUs by increasing access and career opportunities.
Congressional Academic Medicine Caucus
To educate other Members on the unique care, research, and training missions of teaching hospitals and medical schools.
Congressional Afterschool Caucus
To build support for afterschool programs and increase resources for quality afterschool care.
Congressional Biomass Caucus
The Congressional Biomass Caucus educated Members and their staff about the significant role biomass power has in America’s energy portfolio. As Congress continues to debate ways the United States can become more energy independent, the Caucus strives to raise awareness of the environmental and economic benefits that biomass power has in our country.
Congressional Career and Technical Education Caucus
The Congressional Career and Technical Education Caucus is a bipartisan group of Representatives committed to supporting and promoting CTE.
Congressional Caucus on Intellectual Property Promotion and Piracy Prevention
The Congressional Caucus on Intellectual Property Promotion & Piracy Prevention supports initiatives to protect intellectual property and copyrighted works. The Caucus works to prevent internet piracy, while highlighting the economic and cultural contributions of the creative community and the harmful impact of piracy.
Congressional Chemistry Caucus
The Chemistry Caucus is a bipartisan group founded by Congressmen Dan Lipinski (D-IL-03) and John Moolenaar (R-MI-04) to help educate members of Congress, their staff, and the public on the importance of the U.S. business of chemistry. This $801 billion industry plays a crucial role in our nation’s economy, and the innovations of chemistry make our lives safer, healthier, and more convenient in many ways. Because of chemistry’s broad impact, the Caucus will stand as a strong voice in the promotion and advancement of public policies related to the chemistry industry and science education.
Congressional Diabetes Caucus
The mission of the Congressional Diabetes Caucus is to educate members of Congress and their staffs about about diabetes and to support legislative activities that would improve diabetes research, education and treatment.
Congressional Fire Services Caucus
Founded in 1987, the Caucus unites Republicans and Democrats in support of fire service legislation that benefit all first responders.
Congressional Heart and Stroke Caucus
The Congressional Heart and Stroke Coalition advocates for better research, treatment, and awareness about cardiovascular disease.
Congressional Humanities Caucus
The caucus was founded in 2004 to ensure the vitality of the humanities in American life and to provide a forum for Members of Congress to engage in the humanities in current public policy issues.
Congressional Hunger Caucus
The Congressional Hunger Caucus is a bi-partisan group dedicated to creating solutions to end domestic and international hunger. This Caucus was created in response to Congressman Tony Hall’s 22-day hunger fast in 1993. The Congressional Hunger Center provides fellowships to cultivate “anti-hunger leaders in the domestic and international arenas.”
Congressional Law Enforcement Caucus
The Law Enforcement Caucus is a bi-partisan working group of Members of Congress who seek an open forum to address issues affecting the law enforcement community.
Congressional National Parks Caucus
The National Parks Caucus works to highlight and preserve our national treasures, which are home to some of America’s most beautiful sites exhibiting our cultural heritage and a proven investment with broad economic benefits.
Congressional Real Estate Caucus
The caucus is intended to serve as a forum for members of Congress and real estate professionals to discuss federal policy and its impact on the nation’s real estate industry.
Congressional Scouting Caucus
The Scout Caucus comprises Congressmen who were scouts as youth, are scouts as adults, or who simply support the efforts of the international scout movement.
Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus
Founded in 1989, the bipartisan Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus has grown into one of the largest and most effective caucuses in the US Congress with nearly 300 members representing almost all 50 states. With bipartisan leadership in both the House and the Senate, the Caucus is the sportsmen’s ally and first line of defense in Washington promoting and protecting the rights of hunters, trappers and anglers.
Congressional STEAM Caucus
Formed in 2013, the STEAM Caucus aims to increase understanding of the importance of arts and design to STEM subjects, to change the vocabulary of education to recognize the benefits of both the arts and sciences- and their intersections- to our country’s future generations and to spread the word and prioritize STEAM education.
Congressional Steel Caucus
Founded in the early 1970s, this bi-partisan coalition promotes the health and stability of the domestic steel industry, as well as the interests of its workforce. The strength of the American steel industry is of vital importance to national security due to the need for a domestic supply of high-quality steel for military equipment.
Congressional Sudan Caucus
The Congressional Caucus on Sudan & South Sudan is a bipartisan Congressional Member Organization dedicated to serving as a central location for information on developments in the Sudans, for purposes of coordinating congressional action and partnering with constituency groups in support of comprehensive peace in the region.
Congressional Taiwan Caucus
The Caucus focuses on U.S. policy toward Taiwan and hopes to provide the Administration with a perspective and advice on U.S.-Taiwan relations.
Congressional Textile Caucus
The Textile Caucus was founded to provide Members of Congress and their staff with an open forum to address issues affecting U.S. textile manufacturers and their workers. The caucus works to promote policies and other initiatives that support American jobs and a robust future for U.S. textile and apparel manufacturers.
Congressional TRIO Caucus
The Congressional TRIO Caucus is a bipartisan group of Members of Congress supportive of the Federal TRIO Programs and higher education access for low-income, first-generation, and disabled students.
Congressional Vision Caucus
The Congressional Vision Caucus (CVC) is a bipartisan coalition of Congressional Members dedicated to strengthening and stimulating a national dialogue and policy on vision-related problems and disabilities.
Congressional Voting Rights Caucus
The Congressional Voting Rights Caucus is dedicated to protecting our democracy by ensuring that the fundamental right to vote is safeguarded for all Americans.
Congressional Zoo and Aquarium Caucus
The Congressional Zoo and Aquarium Caucus comprises supportive members of the U.S. House of Representatives who join together to support the interests of AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums.
Hidden Heroes Congressional Caucus
The Hidden Heroes Congressional Caucus for Military and Veteran Caregivers advocates on behalf of the nearly 5.5 million spouses, parents, children, and other loved ones who serve as volunteer caregivers to America’s wounded warriors.
House Agriculture Energy Users Caucus
The House Agriculture Energy Users Caucus highlights, and acts upon, the rising energy costs and their impact on the agricultural community. The bi-partisan Caucus serves as a voice for rural America and educates Members of Congress on the issues affecting agricultural uses of energy.
House Army Caucus
House Beef Caucus
The House Beef Caucus is committed to advocating for the U.S. beef and cattle industry through raising awareness of the issues impacting this industry. The Caucus educates and informs Members of Congress, and their staff, about U.S. cattle and beef production. Members are given the opportunity to speak about the importance of ranching in the U.S. and utilize opportunities to aid ranchers.
House Military Depot and Industrial Facilities Caucus
The House Military Depot and Industrial Facilities Caucus is a coalition of Members of Congress who represent military industrial facilities, including aviation depots, shipyards, arsenals, ammunition plants, and energetic material production facilities.
International Conservation Caucus
The Caucus is committed to helping the United States to lead public and private international partnerships that provide stewardship of natural resources for habitat and bio-diversity protection, poverty reduction, economic development and regional security.
National Guard and Reserve Components Caucus
The Reserve Components Caucus is a cohesive Congressional Members Organization (CMO), which serves as a forum for Congressional oversight and represents the Reserve Components of the United States military.
Out of Poverty Caucus
The Out of Poverty Caucus is dedicated to raising awareness about the millions of Americans living without adequate food, shelter, clothing, and health care. The Caucus also provides the means to help remove individuals and families from poverty.
Rural Housing Caucus
The 30 members of the Congressional Rural Housing Caucus are active in pursuing legislation and fighting for the housing needs for Rural America.
Rural Working Group
The Rural Working Group is dedicated to improving the quality of life in rural America, with a focus on providing health care, quality education, and accessible communications technology to rural Americans.
U.S.-Japan Caucus
The U.S.-Japan Caucus is a bipartisan congressional organization with more than 70 members who are dedicated to strengthening U.S.-Japan relations. The caucus aims to facilitate bilateral collaboration on issues of common interest between our two countries, including trade, foreign direct investment, regional stability, military cooperation, energy, technological development, and the environment. The Caucus collaborates with other entities and stakeholders that share this objective.
Vietnam Era Veterans in Congress
The Vietnam Era Veterans in Congress monitors the actions and agenda of the Veterans’ Administration (VA) and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. The Caucus primarily focuses on health issues and the VA’s treatment of Vietnam Veterans. The Caucus is responsible for highlighting the affect of the herbicide Agent Orange on Vietnam Veterans.
Water Caucus
The Caucus is committed to promoting dialogue and action on our water issues by ensuring an adequate supply of fresh water for both urban and rural areas, supporting all available technologies to increase water supply and reduce waste, increasing means of capturing and storing excess water for the future, supporting adequate water infrastructure, and consolidating and streamlining efforts at all levels of government to reduce bureaucratic red tape.
Heart and Stroke Caucus
Congressional Glaucoma Caucus
Congressional Kidney Caucus
Congressional Fragrance Caucus
Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus
New Legislation
Issues
Source: Government page
Congressman Bishop is a senior member of the U.S. House of Representatives and a leader on the U.S. House Appropriations Committee. He also serves on the U.S. House Agriculture Committee. While his committee assignments allow him to focus on discretionary funding for federal programs and agriculture policy, he has the opportunity to vote on all legislation that is considered for approval by the full U.S. House of Representatives.
He can sponsor (author) and cosponsor (support) legislation and you can learn more about this by visiting Congress.gov and viewing his voting record below.
Congressman Bishop works hard on Capitol Hill to craft and support legislation as well as support policies that improve the quality of life for Georgians and all Americans as well as keep the country safe and a leader on the world stage. By regularly meeting with Middle & Southwest Georgians, community groups, businesses, and local leaders, he keeps himself updated on their challenges and successes as well as the role that Congress can play. He is focused on:
- Building Our Communities
- Healthcare, Social Security, & Support Programs
- Law, Individual Rights, & Equality
- Federal Budget, Jobs, & the Economy
- Military, Veterans, & National Security
More Information
Services
Source: Government page
District
Source: Wikipedia
Georgia’s 2nd congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of Georgia. The district is currently represented by Democrat Sanford D. Bishop, Jr.
Georgia’s largest district by land area, it comprises much of the southwestern portion of the state. Much of the district is rural, although the district has a number of small cities and medium-sized towns, such as Albany, Americus, Bainbridge, and Thomasville. It also contains most of Columbus and most of Macon. The district is also the historic and current home of former President Jimmy Carter.
The 2nd district is one of the most consistently Democratic in the country, as Democrats have held it since 1875. However, it has grown far less heavily blue in recent years due to shifting demographics. With a PVI of D+3, it is the least Democratic majority-black district in the United States.
The district’s boundaries were redrawn following the 2010 census, which granted an additional congressional seat to Georgia.[5] In 2021, following the 2020 census, the 156th Georgia General Assembly passed new congressional maps signed by Governor Kemp, and redrew this district from 51% African American to 49% African American, beginning in 2023.
Wikipedia
Sanford Dixon Bishop Jr. (born February 4, 1947) is an American lawyer and politician serving as the U.S. representative for Georgia’s 2nd congressional district, serving since 1993. He became the dean of Georgia’s congressional delegation after the death of John Lewis. A member of the Blue Dog Coalition, he belongs to the conservative faction of the Democratic Party. His district is in southwestern Georgia and includes Albany, Thomasville, and most of Columbus and Macon.
Early life, education, and legal career
Bishop was born in Mobile, Alabama, to Minnie B. Slade and Sanford Dixon Bishop,[1] the first president of Bishop State Community College. Bishop obtained a B.A. degree from Morehouse College in 1968, majoring in political science and minoring in English, and a J.D. degree from Emory University School of Law in 1971.[2][3] At Morehouse, he was a classmate of Herman Cain. He served in the United States Army between 1969 and 1971.[4] Bishop subsequently operated a law firm in Columbus, Georgia.
Bishop has received the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award from the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), given to Eagle Scouts for distinguished career achievement.[5][6] He is a member of BSA’s Order of the Arrow (OA) and as a youth was on the OA ceremonies team.[5] He is a resident of Albany, Georgia, where he is a member of the Mount Zion Baptist Church. Bishop is a Life Member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity, initiated at Morehouse’s Pi chapter.[7] He is a Shriner and 33° Mason.[8]
Bishop is married to Vivian Creighton, who served from 1993 to 2021 as Municipal Clerk of Columbus.
Georgia legislature
Bishop was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 1977, where he remained until being elected to the Georgia Senate in 1990.
U.S. House of Representatives
Elections
1992
After only one term in the state senate, he ran for the 2nd district in 1992, which was held by six-term U.S. Congressman Charles Hatcher, a white moderate Democrat. The 2nd had been reconfigured as a black-majority district during congressional apportionment following the 1990 Census. Bishop finished second behind Hatcher in a crowded six-way primary. Hatcher failed to reach the 50% threshold, and was forced into a runoff election. During the campaign Bishop attacked Hatcher for bouncing 819 checks in the House banking scandal. Bishop defeated him 53%–47%.[9] In the general election, he defeated Republican Jim Dudley 64%–36%.[10]
1994
In the Democratic primary, he defeated James Bush 67%–33%.[11] In the general election, he won reelection to a second term with 66%.[12]
1996
In 1995, a 5–4 majority of the Supreme Court ruled that the redistricting of Georgia had violated the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. The 2nd district was thus redrawn. The newly redrawn district was 60% white. Nonetheless, Bishop won reelection to a third term with 54% of the vote.[13]
1998
Bishop won reelection to a fourth term against Republican Joseph F. McCormick with 57% of the vote.[14] During the campaign, Bishop received twice the campaign financing that his opponent raised.[15][16]
2000
Bishop defeated Dylan Glenn, a young black Republican who received strong backing from many national Republican leaders. The vote was 53%–47%.[17]
2002
Bishop won reelection to a sixth term unopposed.[18]
2004
Bishop won reelection to a seventh term with 67% of the vote.[19]
2006
He won reelection to an eighth term with 68% of the vote.[20]
2008
Bishop won reelection to a ninth term with 69% of the vote.[21]
2010
Bishop won reelection to a tenth term against Republican State Representative Mike Keown, 51%–49%,[22] the closest margin of his career. In a year where the Democrats lost the majority in the House, The New York Times wrote that Bishop’s reelection odds seemed slim because he was an “incumbent in an anti-Washington year”, because he was a black man in a majority white district (49% White, 47% Black), and because of a scholarship scandal at his nonprofit.[23]
2012
After redistricting, the 2nd district became a black-majority district. Notably, it added most of Macon, previously the heart of the 8th district. Bishop was heavily favored in the general election as a result.[24] He defeated Republican John House with 63% of the vote.[25]
Tenure
Bishop is a member of the Congressional Black Caucus,[26] as well as the Blue Dog Democrats,[27] a group of moderate to conservative House Democrats. Due to his willingness to work across the aisle, Bishop was ranked the 16th most bipartisan member of the 114th Congress. The ranking was part of the Bipartisan Index put forth by The Lugar Center in collaboration with Georgetown University.[28] As of 2022, Bishop has voted with President Joe Biden 100% of the time, according to FiveThirtyEight.[29]
Serving a primarily agricultural district, Bishop has fought to preserve the federal price supports for peanuts, southwest Georgia’s most important crop. The New York Times quoted the chairman of the agency that administers federal farm programs in Georgia as saying, “It’s questionable whether it would have survived without the votes [Bishop] brought to it”.[30] In 1997, Bishop caused considerable controversy within his own party by cosponsoring a bill by U.S. Representative Ernest Istook to introduce a constitutional amendment to protect religious expression on public property, known as the H. J. Res, 78, the Religious Freedom Amendment. The wording of the amendment allowing the practice of religion on public property, most notably public schools:
To secure the people’s fight to acknowledge God according to the dictates of conscience: The people’s right to pray and to recognize their religious beliefs, heritage and traditions shall not be infringed. The Government shall not require any person to join in prayer or other religious activity, prescribe school prayers, discriminate against religion, or deny equal access to a benefit on account of religion … The people’s right to pray and to recognize their religious beliefs, heritage, or traditions on public property, including schools, shall not be infringed.[31]
On October 10, 2002, Bishop was one of only four of 36 Congressional Black Caucus members to vote for the joint resolution authorizing the Iraq War. The other three Congressional Black Caucus members who voted for the resolution are no longer members of Congress: Bill Jefferson, Albert Wynn, and Harold Ford Jr.[32][33][34]
On September 10, 2007, Bishop endorsed Barack Obama for President and co-chaired the Georgia for Obama campaign; his wife, Vivian Creighton Bishop, a municipal court clerk in Columbus, co-chaired the Georgia Women for Hillary committee.[35]
Bishop serves on the Appropriations Committee, and chairs the Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies.
Bishop voted to provide Israel with funding in the 2023 Gaza-Israel conflict.[36][37]
Controversies
In September 2010, the Associated Press reported that Bishop had, between 2003 and 2005, directed scholarships and awards funded by the Congressional Black Caucus to ineligible persons, including his stepdaughter, Aayesha Owens Reese; his niece, Emmaundia J. Whitaker; and other people with close ties to his family, threatening to turn the program into a political problem for the party. Ashton McRae released a statement by Bishop’s office: “It is our understanding that the CBC Foundation in 2008 revisited the guidelines and processes for its scholarship programs, and as such, included language to clarify that CBC family members are not eligible to receive the scholarships. These scholarships … were awarded prior to 2008.”[38] Ultimately Bishop’s spokesman said he would repay the scholarship fund for any awards he made in violation of the rules.[39] Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington mentioned Bishop in its annual Most Corrupt Members of Congress report in 2011.[40]
In 1997, the Pigford v. Glickman lawsuit came out of legislative discrimination against black farmers. The case was led by Timothy Pigford and 400 black farmers. The Washington Times reported that by the end of the case in 1999, over 94,000 claims were filed in conjunction with the original case, “even though the U.S. Census Bureau never counted more than 33,000 black farmers in America during the years in question.”[41] In February 2011, three farmers brought allegations of fraud to Bishop, including Eddie Slaughter, vice president of the Black Farmers and Agriculturalists Association. Bishop told The Albany Herald that he was aware of fraud in the program, but that the settlement’s anti-fraud provisions would prevent disbursement of funds to those who didn’t qualify.[42][43] Interviews with Slaughter have circulated online and criticism has been raised about his comments about fraud allegations leading to the end of the program.[44]
In 2020, the Office of Congressional Ethics released a report alleging Bishop misused over $90,000 of campaign funds to cover personal expenses[45] like fuel, golf expenses, meals, travel, tuition and entertainment. A full House Ethics Committee investigation was subsequently launched.[46]
Committee assignments
For the 118th Congress:[47]
Caucus memberships
- Congressional Black Caucus
- Blue Dog Coalition[48]
- Congressional Diabetes Caucus
- International Conservation Caucus
- Sportsmen’s Caucus
- Congressional Cement Caucus
- United States Congressional International Conservation Caucus[49]
- U.S.-Japan Caucus[50]
Electoral history
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Sanford Bishop | 95,789 | 63.70 | |
| Republican | Jim Dudley | 54,593 | 36.30 | |
| Total votes | 150,382 | 100.0 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Sanford Bishop (incumbent) | 65,383 | 66.17 | |
| Republican | John Clayton | 33,429 | 33.83 | |
| Total votes | 98,812 | 100.0 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Sanford Bishop (incumbent) | 56,660 | 59.40 | |
| Democratic | W.T. Gamble III | 31,615 | 33.14 | |
| Democratic | Walter H. Lewis | 7,116 | 7.46 | |
| Total votes | 95,391 | 100.0 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Sanford Bishop (incumbent) | 88,256 | 53.97 | |
| Republican | Darrel Ealum | 75,282 | 46.03 | |
| Total votes | 163,538 | 100.0 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Sanford Bishop (incumbent) | 77,953 | 56.8 | |
| Republican | Joseph F. McCormick | 59,305 | 43.2 | |
| Total votes | 137,258 | 100.0 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Sanford Bishop (incumbent) | 96,430 | 53.5 | |
| Republican | Dylan Glenn | 83,870 | 46.5 | |
| Total votes | 180,300 | 100.0 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Sanford Bishop (incumbent) | 129,984 | 66.79 | |
| Republican | Dave Eversman | 64,645 | 33.21 | |
| Total votes | 194,629 | 100.0 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Sanford Bishop* | 88,662 | 67.87 | |
| Republican | Bradley Hughes | 41,967 | 32.13 | |
| Total votes | 130,629 | 100.00 | ||
| Turnout | {{{votes}}} | |||
| Democratic hold | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Sanford Bishop* | 158,447 | 68.95 | |
| Republican | Lee Ferrell | 71,357 | 31.05 | |
| Total votes | 229,804 | 100.00 | ||
| Turnout | {{{votes}}} | |||
| Democratic hold | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Sanford Bishop* | 86,520 | 51.44 | |
| Republican | Mike Keown | 81,673 | 48.56 | |
| Total votes | 168,193 | 100.00 | ||
| Turnout | {{{votes}}} | |||
| Democratic hold | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Sanford Bishop* | 162,751 | 63.78 | |
| Republican | John House | 92,410 | 36.78 | |
| Total votes | 255,161 | 100 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Sanford Bishop* | 96,363 | 59.15 | |
| Republican | Greg Duke | 66,357 | 40.85 | |
| Total votes | 162,720 | 100.00 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Sanford Bishop* | 148,543 | 61.23 | |
| Republican | Greg Duke | 94,056 | 38.77 | |
| Total votes | 242,599 | 100.00 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Sanford Bishop* | 135,709 | 59.56 | |
| Republican | Herman West Jr. | 92,132 | 40.44 | |
| Total votes | 227,841 | 100.00 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Sanford Bishop* | 161,397 | 59.12 | |
| Republican | Don Cole | 111,620 | 40.88 | |
| Total votes | 273,017 | 100.00 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Sanford Bishop* | 132,675 | 54.97 | |
| Republican | Chris West | 108,665 | 45.03 | |
| Total votes | 241,340 | 100.00 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
Honors
- 2015 – Bishop was appointed as a Member of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem by Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom.[61]
See also
References
- ^ “1. Sanford Dixon Bishop Jr.: b. 4 Feb 1947 Mobile, Mobile Co., AL; U.S. Representative from GA (D)”. Freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
- ^ BISHOP, Sanford Dixon, Jr. (1947-) – website of the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- ^ Explorations in Black Leadership: Sanford Bishop – website of the University of Virginia
- ^ a b Townley, Alvin (2007). Legacy of Honor: The Values and Influence of America’s Eagle Scouts. New York: St. Martin’s Press. pp. 165–72. ISBN 978-0-312-36653-7. Archived from the original on December 19, 2006. Retrieved December 29, 2006.
- ^ “Distinguished Eagle Scouts” (PDF). Scouting.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 12, 2016. Retrieved November 4, 2010.
- ^ “Congressman Sanford Bishop, Jr”. May 30, 2007. Archived from the original on May 30, 2007. Retrieved August 6, 2018.
- ^ “Congressman Sanford Bishop, Jr”. November 28, 2005. Archived from the original on November 28, 2005. Retrieved August 6, 2018.
- ^ “GA District 2 – D Runoff Race – Aug 11, 1992”. Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
- ^ “GA District 2 Race – Nov 03, 1992”. Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
- ^ “GA District 2 – D Primary Race – Jul 19, 1994”. Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
- ^ “GA District 2 Race – Nov 08, 1994”. Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
- ^ “GA District 2 Race – Nov 05, 1996”. Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
- ^ “GA District 2 Race – Nov 03, 1998”. Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
- ^ “Campaign Finance: Joseph F McCormick”. Influenceexplorer.com. Retrieved May 2, 2012.
- ^ “Cycle Fundraising, 1997 – 1998, Campaign Cmte”. OpenSecrets.org. Retrieved May 2, 2012.
- ^ “GA District 2 Race – Nov 07, 2000”. Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
- ^ “GA District 2 Race – Nov 05, 2002”. Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
- ^ “GA District 2 Race – Nov 02, 2004”. Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
- ^ “GA District 2 Race – Nov 07, 2006”. Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
- ^ “GA District 2 Race – Nov 04, 2008”. Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
- ^ “GA District 2 Race – Nov 02, 2010”. Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
- ^ Robbie Brown (November 4, 2010). “Rare Winner for Southern Democrats”. The New York Times. Retrieved April 16, 2012.
- ^ “House members most helped by redistricting”. TheHill. September 5, 2011. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
- ^ “US Representative, District 2 Results”. GA – Election Results. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
- ^ “Membership”. Congressional Black Caucus. Retrieved March 7, 2018.
- ^ “Members”. Blue Dog Coalition. Archived from the original on June 30, 2019. Retrieved February 7, 2018.
- ^ The Lugar Center – McCourt School Bipartisan Index (PDF), The Lugar Center, March 7, 2016, retrieved April 30, 2017
- ^ Bycoffe, Anna Wiederkehr and Aaron (April 22, 2021). “Does Your Member Of Congress Vote With Or Against Biden?”. FiveThirtyEight. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
- ^ Kevin Sack (December 30, 1998). “In the Rural White South, Seeds of a Biracial Politics”. The New York Times. Retrieved May 2, 2012.
- ^ Sanford Bishop (July 22, 1997). “Testimony of Representative Sanford Bishop 2nd District, Georgia”. House of Representatives Committee on the Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution. Archived from the original on May 21, 2012. Retrieved May 2, 2012.
- ^ “Final vote results for roll call 455”. Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. October 10, 2002.
- ^ “H.J.RES.114 To authorize the use of United States Armed Forces against Iraq”. THOMAS. October 16, 2002. Archived from the original on April 8, 2016. Retrieved February 13, 2008.
- ^ Eversley, Melanie (October 10, 2002). “Georgians in House divided on Iraq”. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. p. A1.
Democrat Sanford Bishop unabashedly announced his support of the current Republican president.
- ^ Dewan, Shaila (January 18, 2008). “Southern Blacks Are Split on Clinton vs. Obama”. The New York Times. p. A1.
- ^ Demirjian, Karoun (October 25, 2023). “House Declares Solidarity With Israel in First Legislation Under New Speaker”. The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
- ^ Washington, U. S. Capitol Room H154; p:225-7000, DC 20515-6601 (October 25, 2023). “Roll Call 528 Roll Call 528, Bill Number: H. Res. 771, 118th Congress, 1st Session”. Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Scher, Bill (September 9, 2010). “Bishop steered scholarships to family”. Politico.com. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
- ^ “Representative Sanford D Bishop Jr Awarded Scholarships to Family”, by the Associated Press, New York Times 11 September 2010
- ^ “Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-GA) Earned Dishonorable Mention in CREW’s Annual Most Corrupt Report”. Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. Associated Press. September 19, 2011. Archived from the original on August 3, 2012. Retrieved May 16, 2012.
- ^ “EDITORIAL: USDA’s Pigford fraud Obama initiative ignores corruption to redistribute wealth”. The Washington Times. February 2, 2011. Retrieved May 22, 2012.
- ^ Lewis, Terry (January 19, 2011). “Rep. Bishop blasts video”. Albany Herald. Retrieved September 14, 2021.
- ^ Stranahan, Lee (January 24, 2011). “Blue Dog Congressman Sanford Bishop Knew About Pigford Fraud”. The Huffington Post. Retrieved May 22, 2012.
- ^ Keefe, Bob (January 20, 2011). “Rep. Bishop takes heat over Breitbart videos about black farmers settlement”. Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved May 22, 2012.
- ^ Bresnahan, John (July 31, 2020). “Rep. Sanford Bishop allegedly misused more than $90,000 in campaign and official funds”. POLITICO. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
- ^ Caroline Kelly (August 2020). “Ethics panel extends probe of Georgia congressman over use of campaign funds”. CNN. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
- ^ “Sanford D. Bishop, Jr”. Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
- ^ “Members”. Blue Dog Coalition. Archived from the original on June 30, 2019. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
- ^ “Our Members”. U.S. House of Representatives International Conservation Caucus. Archived from the original on August 1, 2018. Retrieved August 1, 2018.
- ^ “Members”. U.S. – Japan Caucus. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
- ^ “1992 General Election Results U.S. Congress – 2nd District”. Georgia Secretary of State. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
- ^ “1994 General Election Results U.S. Congress – 2nd District”. Georgia Secretary of State. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
- ^ “Georgia Election Results Official Results of the July 9, 1996 Primary Election”. Georgia Secretary of State. July 19, 1996. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
- ^ “Georgia Election Results Official results of the November 5, 1996 General Election”. Georgia Secretary of State. November 18, 1996. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
- ^ “Georgia Election Results Official results of the November 3, 1998 General Election” (PDF). Georgia Secretary of State. November 20, 1998. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
- ^ “Georgia Election Results Official results of the November 7, 2000 General Election” (PDF). Georgia Secretary of State. November 17, 2000. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
- ^ “Georgia Election Results Official results of the November 2, 2004 General Election” (PDF). Georgia Secretary of State. December 21, 2005. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
- ^ “GA – Election Results”.
- ^ “Election Night Reporting”.
- ^ Raffensperger, Brad. “November 3, 2020 General Election Official Results – Totals include all Absentee and Provisional Ballots”. Georgia Secretary of State. Retrieved November 22, 2020.
- ^ “No. 61305”. The London Gazette. July 24, 2015. pp. 13771–13773.
External links
- Congressman Sanford Bishop Jr. official U.S. House website
- Sanford Bishop for Congress
- Sanford Bishop at Curlie
- Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
- Legislation sponsored at the Library of Congress
- Profile at Vote Smart
- Appearances on C-SPAN
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