Bennie Thompson

Bennie Thompson
Born	Bennie Gordon Thompson 28 1, 1948
Birthplace	Bolton, Mississippi, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, educator
Known for	Chair of the House January 6th Committee, Chair of the House Homeland Security Committee
Education	Jackson State University (MS)
Children	1
Website	[[benniethompson.house.gov benniethompson.house.gov] Official site]

Bennie Gordon Thompson (born January 28, 1948) 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, Thompson has held the seat for more than three decades, making him one of the longest-serving members of the Mississippi congressional delegation. He served as chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security from 2007 to 2011 and again from 2019 to 2023, becoming both the first Democrat and the first African American to lead that committee. Thompson also served as the chair of the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol from its establishment in July 2021 until its dissolution in January 2023. His district, which stretches roughly 275 miles long and 180 miles wide along the Mississippi River, encompasses most of Jackson and the Mississippi Delta, and is the only majority-Black congressional district in the state. Since 2011, Thompson has been the sole Democrat in Mississippi's congressional delegation, and since the departure of Senator Thad Cochran in 2018, he has served as the dean of the state's delegation.

Early Life

Bennie Gordon Thompson was born on January 28, 1948, in Bolton, Mississippi, a small town in Hinds County located approximately 20 miles west of Jackson. He grew up in the rural Mississippi Delta region during the era of Jim Crow laws and racial segregation, an experience that would shape his political consciousness and career trajectory. Bolton, like many communities in the Mississippi Delta, was a predominantly African-American town with deep ties to agriculture and the civil rights struggle that was unfolding across the South during Thompson's formative years.

Thompson came of age during a transformative period in American history, as the civil rights movement swept through Mississippi with particular intensity. The state was a focal point of voter registration drives, freedom rides, and other organized efforts to dismantle institutional racism. Growing up in this environment, Thompson developed an early interest in civic engagement and political activism. His upbringing in one of the poorest regions of the United States exposed him to the stark economic and social inequalities that persisted in the Deep South, themes that would become central to his political career.

Thompson's roots in Bolton remained strong throughout his life, and he continued to maintain his residence in the town even after ascending to national political office. His connection to the small rural community informed his legislative priorities, which frequently centered on the needs of economically disadvantaged and historically marginalized populations in the Mississippi Delta and similar communities across the country.

Education

Thompson received his undergraduate education at Tougaloo College, a historically Black liberal arts institution located on the outskirts of Jackson, Mississippi, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. Tougaloo College had a notable history of involvement in the civil rights movement and served as a meeting place for activists during the 1960s. Thompson's time at the college coincided with a period of significant social upheaval and political activism on the campus and throughout the state.

He subsequently pursued graduate studies at Jackson State University, another historically Black institution, where he earned a Master of Science degree in education. His graduate training in education prepared him for a career in teaching and public service, and he worked as an educator before transitioning into full-time political life. His educational background at two historically Black colleges and universities reinforced his commitment to the African-American community and to issues of educational equity and access.

Career

Early Political Career

Thompson's entry into politics began at the local level, rooted in the civil rights activism and community organizing that characterized the Mississippi Delta in the late 1960s and 1970s. He became involved in local government in Bolton, eventually serving as an alderman and then as mayor of the town. His work in local government gave him direct experience with the challenges facing small, predominantly Black communities in Mississippi, including poverty, inadequate infrastructure, and limited access to public services.

Before his election to Congress, Thompson also served on the Hinds County Board of Supervisors, where he gained experience in county-level governance and budgeting. These early political positions allowed him to develop a reputation as an advocate for the interests of African-American communities in Mississippi and provided the foundation for his subsequent congressional career.

Election to Congress

Thompson was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in a special election held on April 13, 1993, to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Mike Espy, who had left the seat to serve as Secretary of Agriculture in the administration of President Bill Clinton. Thompson won the special election and took office immediately, becoming the representative for Mississippi's 2nd congressional district. He has been reelected in every subsequent general election, consistently winning by substantial margins in the majority-Black district.

The 2nd congressional district, which Thompson has represented for over three decades, is geographically one of the largest in Mississippi. It stretches approximately 275 miles in length and 180 miles in width, encompassing much of the Mississippi Delta along the western border of the state and including most of the city of Jackson, the state capital. The district borders the Mississippi River for much of its length and is characterized by a largely rural landscape with significant agricultural production. It is the only majority-Black congressional district in Mississippi, a demographic reality that has made it a reliable Democratic seat in an otherwise heavily Republican state.

Committee on Homeland Security

Thompson's most prominent congressional role has been his long association with the House Committee on Homeland Security. He served as the ranking Democrat on the committee beginning in 2005, becoming its ranking minority member under Republican chairs. When the Democratic Party gained the majority in the House following the 2006 midterm elections, Thompson became the committee's chair in January 2007, a position he held until January 2011 when Republicans regained the majority. He was both the first Democrat and the first African American to serve as chair of the Homeland Security Committee.

During his first stint as chair from 2007 to 2011, Thompson oversaw the committee's work on a range of issues related to national security, border security, emergency management, and cybersecurity. He was involved in legislative efforts related to the Transportation Security Administration, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and other agencies under the Department of Homeland Security. Thompson was a vocal critic of the handling of the Guantanamo Bay detention camp and weighed in on the debate over the transfer of detainees, including questioning the transfer of detainees to Yemen in 2009.

After serving as ranking member from 2011 to 2019 under Republican chairs Peter King and Michael McCaul, Thompson again became chair of the committee in January 2019 when Democrats recaptured the House majority. He held this position through the end of the 117th Congress in January 2023. During this second chairmanship, Thompson oversaw the committee's work during a period of heightened concern about domestic terrorism, cybersecurity threats, and pandemic response. Since January 2023, with Republicans again in the majority, Thompson has served as the ranking member of the committee.

In early 2026, Thompson publicly stated his opposition to funding the Department of Homeland Security under the current administration, citing concerns about the agency's operations and leadership.

January 6th Committee

In July 2021, Thompson was appointed chair of the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol, a bipartisan committee established to investigate the events surrounding the attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. Thompson led the committee from its inception through the conclusion of its work in January 2023, overseeing a series of public hearings, depositions, and the compilation of a final report.

As chair, Thompson presided over nationally televised hearings that presented evidence regarding the planning and execution of the January 6 attack, the involvement of various individuals and organizations, and the response of law enforcement and government officials. The committee's work culminated in a detailed final report and criminal referrals to the Department of Justice. Thompson's leadership of the committee raised his national profile significantly and placed him at the center of one of the most consequential congressional investigations in recent American history.

Legislative Priorities and Caucus Memberships

Throughout his congressional career, Thompson has focused on a range of legislative issues reflecting the needs of his constituency and his broader policy interests. These have included economic development in rural and underserved communities, agricultural policy, civil rights, healthcare access, and education. His district, encompassing one of the poorest regions in the United States, has driven his focus on federal programs aimed at poverty reduction and infrastructure development.

Thompson is a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, one of the oldest and most influential caucuses in Congress. He has also been associated with the Afterschool Caucuses in Congress, reflecting his background in education and his interest in youth development programs.

Thompson has introduced legislation on a variety of homeland security–related topics during his tenure. Among these were bills introduced during the 112th Congress addressing security matters.

2026 Primary Challenge

In December 2025, attorney Evan Turnage announced a Democratic primary challenge to Thompson in Mississippi's 2nd congressional district, setting up an intraparty contest between a millennial first-time candidate and one of the longest-serving members of Congress. Turnage, described as having ties to top congressional Democrats including connections to Senate and party leaders, launched his campaign ahead of the March 2026 primary. In February 2026, Turnage released an advertisement targeting Thompson's long tenure in office.

Personal Life

Thompson has maintained his residence in Bolton, Mississippi, throughout his congressional career, remaining in the small town where he was born and raised. He has one child.

Like a number of other members of Congress, Thompson has been known to sleep in his congressional office in Washington, D.C., rather than renting an apartment in the expensive capital city, a practice that has been documented among legislators from both parties.

Thompson has remained active in community affairs in Mississippi beyond his official congressional duties. In February 2026, he spoke at a Black History Month event in Natchez, Mississippi, where he issued a call to action regarding the preservation of civil rights gains and announced $850,000 in funding to help restore local historical assets. Following the death of civil rights leader Jesse Jackson in February 2026, Thompson publicly honored Jackson's legacy and his impact on Mississippi's civil rights history.

In February 2026, Thompson endorsed district attorney Scott Colom in the Democratic primary for Mississippi's U.S. Senate seat, lending his support to Colom over other primary candidates.

Recognition

Thompson's long tenure in Congress and his leadership roles on major committees have established him as one of the most prominent African-American politicians in Mississippi's modern history. As the first African American to chair the House Homeland Security Committee, he broke a significant barrier in congressional leadership. His subsequent appointment as chair of the January 6th Select Committee further elevated his national profile and placed him in a historically significant position overseeing one of the most closely watched congressional investigations of the 21st century.

Within Mississippi, Thompson has been recognized as a leading voice for the state's African-American communities and for the economically disadvantaged regions of the Mississippi Delta. His unbroken service since 1993 has made him the longest-serving member of the current Mississippi congressional delegation and the dean of the delegation since Thad Cochran's departure in 2018.

Thompson's voting record and policy positions have been tracked by various congressional monitoring organizations. His legislative activity and voting patterns are publicly documented through congressional tracking services.

Legacy

Bennie Thompson's congressional career, spanning more than three decades, has been defined by his representation of one of the most economically challenged regions in the United States and his leadership on matters of homeland security. As the sole Democrat in Mississippi's congressional delegation since 2011, he has served as a counterpoint to the state's otherwise solidly Republican political landscape, representing the interests of the majority-Black 2nd congressional district in a state where racial and political dynamics remain deeply intertwined.

His chairmanship of the Homeland Security Committee across two separate periods of Democratic majority gave him an outsized role in shaping national policy on border security, emergency management, cybersecurity, and counterterrorism. His role as chair of the January 6th Select Committee marked a defining moment of his career, placing him at the center of a national debate about the integrity of democratic institutions and the accountability of political leaders.

Thompson's career is also notable for its roots in local government and civil rights activism. His progression from alderman and mayor of Bolton to the Hinds County Board of Supervisors and ultimately to the U.S. House of Representatives reflects a path shaped by the civil rights movement and the political empowerment of African Americans in the Mississippi Delta. His continued residence in Bolton and his focus on the needs of rural, underserved communities have been consistent themes throughout his time in public office.

As of 2026, Thompson remains an active and influential figure in both Mississippi and national politics, continuing to engage on issues ranging from homeland security to civil rights and community development.