Sanford Bishop facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sanford Bishop
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Official portrait, 2023
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Georgia's 2nd district |
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| Assumed office January 3, 1993 |
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| Preceded by | Charles Hatcher |
| Member of the Georgia Senate from the 15th district |
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| In office January 3, 1991 – January 3, 1993 |
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| Preceded by | Gary Parker |
| Succeeded by | Ed Harbison |
| Member of the Georgia House of Representatives from the 94th district |
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| In office January 3, 1977 – January 3, 1991 |
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| Preceded by | Ed Berry |
| Succeeded by | Bill Lee |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Sanford Dixon Bishop Jr.
February 4, 1947 Mobile, Alabama, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Vivian Creighton |
| Children | 1 |
| Education | Morehouse College (BA) Emory University (JD) |
| Website | |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1968–1971 |
Sanford Dixon Bishop Jr. (born February 4, 1947) is an American lawyer and politician. He has been a U.S. Representative for Georgia's 2nd district since 1993. He became the most senior member of Georgia's group of representatives after the passing of John Lewis. Bishop is a member of the Blue Dog Coalition, which is a group of moderate members within the Democratic Party. His district covers southwestern Georgia, including cities like Albany, Thomasville, and parts of Columbus and Macon.
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Early Life and Education
Sanford Bishop was born in Mobile, Alabama. His father, Sanford Dixon Bishop, was the first president of Bishop State Community College. Sanford Bishop Jr. earned a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree from Morehouse College in 1968. He studied political science and English. Later, he received a law degree (Juris Doctor or J.D.) from Emory University School of Law in 1971.
Military Service and Law Career
Bishop served in the United States Army from 1969 to 1971. After his military service, he started his own law firm in Columbus, Georgia.
Community Involvement
Bishop has received the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award from the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). This award is given to Eagle Scouts who have achieved great things in their careers. He is also a member of the BSA's Order of the Arrow (OA). He lives in Albany, Georgia, and is a member of the Mount Zion Baptist Church. Bishop is also a member of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity, a Shriner, and a 33° Mason.
Family Life
Sanford Bishop is married to Vivian Creighton. She worked as the Municipal Clerk for the city of Columbus from 1993 to 2021.
Political Career in Georgia
Bishop began his political career in the Georgia House of Representatives in 1977. He served there until 1990, when he was elected to the Georgia Senate.
Serving in the U.S. House of Representatives
After serving only one term in the state senate, Bishop decided to run for the U.S. House of Representatives in 1992. He ran for Georgia's 2nd district. This district had been redrawn to have a majority of Black voters after the 1990 Census.
First Election to Congress (1992)
In 1992, Bishop ran against the current U.S. Congressman, Charles Hatcher. Bishop won the primary election and then the general election, becoming the U.S. Representative for Georgia's 2nd district.
Later Elections
Bishop has been re-elected many times since 1992. In 1995, the district boundaries were changed again, making the district mostly white. Despite this, Bishop continued to win his elections. He has won his seat in Congress for a total of seventeen terms, with his most recent victory in 2024.
Working in Congress
Sanford Bishop is a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, a group of African American members of Congress. He is also part of the Blue Dog Democrats, which are moderate to conservative Democrats in the House. He is known for working with members from both political parties. In fact, he was ranked as one of the most bipartisan members of the 114th Congress.
Focus on Agriculture
Since his district is largely agricultural, Bishop has worked hard to support farmers. He has helped protect federal programs that support crops like peanuts, which are very important in southwest Georgia.
Important Votes and Positions
Bishop has taken part in many important votes. For example, in 2002, he voted for the resolution that authorized the Iraq War. In 2007, he supported Barack Obama for President.
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Bishop serves on the Appropriations Committee. This committee decides how the government spends money. He also chairs the Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies. This means he helps lead decisions about farming, rural areas, and food safety. In 2023, he voted to provide funding to Israel during the Gaza-Israel conflict. In 2025, he voted with Republicans and other Democrats for the Laken Riley Act.
Committee and Caucus Memberships
For the 119th Congress, Bishop is a member of:
- Committee on Appropriations
- Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies (Ranking Member)
- Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government
- Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies
He is also part of several caucuses, which are groups of members who share common interests. These include:
- Black Maternal Health Caucus
- Congressional Black Caucus
- Blue Dog Coalition
- Congressional Diabetes Caucus
- International Conservation Caucus
- Sportsmen's Caucus
- Congressional Cement Caucus
- Rare Disease Caucus
- U.S.-Japan Caucus
Honors and Awards
In 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.
See also
