Bennie Thompson — SPARQNOW

At-a-Glance

Serves as U.S. Representative for Mississippi's 2nd congressional district since 1993.
Was the first Democrat and first African American to chair the Committee on Homeland Security.
Served as Chair of the Committee on Homeland Security from 2007 to 2011 and from 2019 to 2023.
Served as mayor of Bolton, Mississippi, from 1973 to 1980.
Earned a Master of Science in educational administration from Jackson State University in 1972.
Earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Tougaloo College in 1968.

Biography

Bennie Thompson is an American politician and educator who has served as the U.S. Representative for Mississippi's 2nd congressional district since 1993.

A member of the Democratic Party, he held the position of chair for the Committee on Homeland Security from 2007 to 2011 and again from 2019 to 2023. He was both the first Democrat and the first African American to chair this committee.