Sanford is a resident of Albany, Georgia, and a Deacon and Trustee of the Mount Zion Baptist Church. He attended Morehouse College and Emory Law School. He is married to the Honorable Vivian Creighton Bishop, with whom he has a daughter, Aayesha J. Reese, and a granddaughter, Londyn.

US Congressman Sanford D Bishop Jr, About Congressman Bishop

Sanford was the primary partner in the law firm of Bishop and Buckner, P.C.. He served in the army. 

Congressman Sanford Bishop is on his sixteenth term in the U.S. House of Representatives for Georgia's Second Congressional District, having been first elected in 1992. He is a senior member of the House Committee on Appropriations and served as the Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration in congress. Previously, he served in the Georgia House of Representatives from 1977 to 1990 and in the Georgia Senate from 1991 to 1992.

Candidate website

Supports small business growth through SBA lending programs, hosted forums on financing options, and backed legislation enhancing loan guarantees and a fund for community bank capital investments.

Supports the ARRA for funding infrastructure, healthcare, education, housing, and energy projects, providing tax cuts, and creating/saving jobs, benefiting all 32 counties in Georgia's 2nd District.

Supports the ARRA for funding infrastructure, healthcare, education, housing, and energy projects, providing tax cuts in Georgia's 2nd District.

Supports economic growth through disaster relief, COVID aid, law enforcement funding, infrastructure jobs, and measures to lower consumer prices; advocates for military communities and small businesses.

Supports economic growth through infrastructure investment, ensuring the Stimulus Bill and transportation appropriations benefit his district's transportation systems, including the Southwest Georgia Regional Airport and various regional improvements.

Said, "Fighting for strong emergency federal disaster assistance to our Southwest Georgia farm communities, particularly in light of losses caused by hurricanes, excessive rain during harvest, and other natural disasters."

The candidate's website says, "Ft. Benning contributes over $1.2 billion to the local Columbus economy annually and supports over 51,000 military and civilian jobs."

The candidate's website says, "Congressman Bishop has emerged as a leader among the fiscally moderate-to-conservative Democrats in Congress... He champions policies in support of... an efficient and secure social safety net, as well as tax relief that does not burden future generations."

Supports Georgia's agricultural sector, emphasizing its critical role in the state's economy and national prosperity, and recognizes the significant number of jobs it provides in the U.S.

Believes the 2nd District's robust agricultural sector, with over 25% of U.S. peanuts and diverse crops like blueberries and cotton, alongside significant livestock, poultry, and forestry byproducts, is crucial for the nation's economy and bioenergy production.

Supports enhancing food safety through legislation and improving infrastructure with significant investments in broadband expansion, benefiting underserved areas and boosting economic growth in Georgia's 2nd Congressional District.

The candidate's website says, "Congressman Bishop voted for the Credit Cardholders’ Bill of Rights, which will apply common-sense regulations to ban unfair rate increases and forbid abusive fees and penalties."

Supports the GEMS Institute's collaboration at Fort Benning, which, with a $1.6 million grant, will advance defense and commercial tech, boost the local economy, and potentially save the Department of Defense billions in training costs.

The candidate's website says, "Congressman Bishop led the charge for the successful passage of the FY19 Disaster Assistance Package to ensure rural communities, farmers, and ranchers have the resources to recover from Hurricane Michael and the devastating storms that struck the region."

Supports economic growth in the Second District through securing over $10 billion in federal grants and loans, leading in community development funding, and advocating for billions in disaster relief for affected rural and urban areas.

The candidate's website says, "According to Congressman Bishop, “In order to create American jobs and build a sustainable economy, it is essential that Congress continues to pass measures that seek to protect our nation’s businesses and workers from unfair global trade practices.”"

The candidate's website says, "Rebuilding the economy of Georgia’s 2nd Congressional District and the nation is Congressman Bishop’s top priority... he has fought to create jobs, help unemployed workers struggling to find employment, provide tax relief for working American families and companies, eliminate the estate tax, and bolster the small business sector."

Opposes regulations and budget proposals harmful to agriculture; supports peanut and cotton farmers by maintaining storage cost compensation and preventing a peanut ban on planes, ensuring economic stability for the farming community.

The candidate's website says, "The economy of the 2nd District continues to benefit from relationships he has cultivated in Washington. The Marine Corps Logistics Base in Albany was spared closure and jobs were saved due to Congressman Bishop’s efforts."

The candidate's website says, "Congressman Bishop joined a bipartisan majority... in supporting legislation that protects American manufacturing jobs and exports by allowing the U.S. Department of Commerce to continue to apply countervailing duties in cases involving non-market economy nations like China and Vietnam."

The candidate's website says, "Working through the House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee to advance agricultural research, the production of American-made energy, and ensure a safe, abundant food supply."

The candidate's website says, "Additionally, Congressman Bishop serves on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government, which oversees not only our nation’s banking and financial regulatory agencies, ... and Small Business Administration, ..."

Supports economic growth through disaster relief, COVID aid for various sectors, crime reduction funding, and job creation via infrastructure investment in Georgia's roads and bridges.

The candidate's website says, "airports, and clean water systems; worked to lower prices for families in the grocery store and at the gas pump, and fought for Georgia’s military bases, servicemembers, veterans, and their families"

The candidate's website says, "Critical to economic growth is a quality transportation infrastructure... new roads and highways and transportation facilities are essential to meet the needs of prospective industries..."

The candidate's website says, "Extending broadband and wireless services to rural communities which will allow farmers and ranchers to take advantage of technology to help them remain profitable and competitive, and otherwise promote rural economic development."

Supports tax relief as a bipartisan strategy for economic growth, routinely collaborating across party lines to benefit American families, exemplified by backing the extension of 2001 and 2003 tax cuts to stimulate Georgia's economy.

The candidate's website says, "He believes that the most important way the nation can reduce the federal budget deficit and grow the economy is to ensure all Americans are provided an opportunity to work and contribute to our nation."

Supports small business lending, tax relief across incomes, estate tax repeal, closing offshoring loopholes; endorses Balanced Budget Amendment, spending offsets, discretionary spending caps, and defense procurement reform for economic security.

The candidate's website says, "Congressman Bishop supported the Jobs for Main Street Act, which includes a payroll tax holiday for businesses that hire unemployed workers, to create some 300,000 jobs and an income tax credit of $1,000 for businesses that retain these employees."

Supported the Jobs for Main Street Act, which "includes a payroll tax holiday for businesses that hire unemployed workers, to create some 300,000 jobs and an income tax credit of $1,000 for businesses that retain these employees."

Supports economic relief through disaster funds, COVID aid, and law enforcement funding; endorses bipartisan infrastructure investments for job creation and aims to reduce living costs, while advocating for military communities.

Endorses infrastructure investments for job creation.

Supports the Farm Bill for its historic economic impact on agriculture, enhancing food security, environmental protection, and market access for Georgia farmers, while advocating against trade barriers that hinder their global market presence.

Opposes restrictions to global agricultural trade.

The candidate's website says, "Reducing or eliminating the estate tax while providing farmers and small business owners with the stability, certainty, and peace of mind they need as they plan for the future."

- Supported the Jobs for Main Street Act, which "includes a payroll tax holiday for businesses that hire unemployed workers, to create some 300,000 jobs and an income tax credit of $1,000 for businesses that retain these employees."
- Endorses infrastructure investments for job creation.
- Opposes restrictions to global agricultural trade.
- Opposes the estate tax.

Economy

Supports revising energy and environmental policies to bolster national defense and the economy, noting that high energy costs lead to pricier transportation, food, and goods, which strain families and jeopardize U.S. prosperity.

The candidate's website says, "That’s why Congressman Bishop supports initiatives that promote conservation and energy efficiency, utilize alternative energy sources, expand our domestic supplies of oil and natural gas, and above all, protect consumers."

The candidate's website says, "Congressman Bishop has worked on issues from the Tired Creek Project ... He also supports increasing domestic energy production and a reduction of our dependence on foreign oil."

The candidate's website says, "Congressman Bishop also supports funding for programs that can lead to technologies and techniques for better immediate clinical combat care and address long-term care issues involving limb loss, tissue and organ damage, facial and dental injuries, and reconstruction. ... He has supported funding the research and development of advanced batteries for hybrid vehicles that will decrease America’s dependence on foreign oil, reduce carbon emissions, and increase America’s national security."

Supports research and development of advanced batteries for hybrid vehicles that will decrease America’s dependence on foreign oil.

- Supports research and development of advanced batteries for hybrid vehicles that will decrease America’s dependence on foreign oil.

Energy & the Environment

Supports a robust federal response to Covid-19, advocating for resources and guidance, and has backed legislation aiding workers, small businesses, hospitals, healthcare providers, and impacted state and local governments.

Supports a robust federal response to Covid-19, advocating for resources and guidance to protect Americans, and backs legislation aiding workers, businesses, healthcare entities, and governments affected by the pandemic.

Supports accessible, affordable healthcare, Medicare access, increased cancer research funding, combating childhood obesity, extending insurance for unemployed, expanding health centers, reducing physician shortages, improving veterans' care, and endorses the Affordable Care Act for its benefits to Georgia’s 2nd District.

Supports electronic medical records to cut errors and costs, emphasizes prevention in healthcare, and advocates for more funding for medical research, including at the National Institutes of Health.

Supports legislation for TBI and PTSD in veterans, seeks solutions for military family challenges, secured $50.2 billion for veterans' medical care, and aims to ensure consistent education for military children during relocations.

Supports legislation for dealing with TBI and PTSD in veterans by increasing medical care budget for veterans.

- Wants to increase Medicare access.
- Supports electronic medical records to cut errors and costs, emphasizes prevention in healthcare, and advocates for more funding for medical research, including at the National Institutes of Health.
- Supports legislation for dealing with TBI and PTSD in veterans by increasing medical care budget for veterans.

Healthcare

The candidate's website says, "This campaign is a movement for the people — for voting rights and civil rights, for farmers and ranchers, for students and teachers, for men and women of all races and creeds to pursue equality, prosperity, and the American dream."

Said, "This position does not belong to me, it belongs to the people, and I trust their wisdom in deciding who can most effectively represent them in Congress.”"

- The candidate's website says, "This campaign is a movement for the people — for voting rights and civil rights, for farmers and ranchers, for students and teachers, for men and women of all races and creeds to pursue equality, prosperity, and the American dream."
- Said, "This position does not belong to me, it belongs to the people, and I trust their wisdom in deciding who can most effectively represent them in Congress.”"

Voting & Elections

Supports law enforcement; endorses community policing, school police funding, hiring new officers, and providing training and equipment for effective duty in Middle and Southwest Georgia.

Said, "When we believe in good faith that we are lawfully authorized or required to do so or that doing so is reasonably necessary or appropriate to comply with the law or legal processes ... including responding to lawful subpoenas, warrants, or court orders;"

The candidate's website says, "Sanford Bishop is committed to reducing crime and law enforcement supports him."

Believes in taking necessary actions to protect rights, property, and safety of all associated parties, including the public, from fraudulent or unlawful activities related to their website.

Supports equal justice, endorses rehabilitation and job support for inmates, advocates for addiction treatment, and seeks federal prosecution and stricter penalties for hate and corporate crimes.

Wants federal prosecution and stricter penalties for hate and corporate crimes.

Supports equipping law enforcement, firefighters, and first responders with essential resources for District 2 safety, and endorses youth programs to prevent gang and criminal involvement, advocating for preventive strategies to effectively reduce long-term crime rates.

Endorses youth programs to prevent gang and criminal involvement, advocating for preventive strategies to effectively reduce long-term crime rates.

- Wants federal prosecution and stricter penalties for hate and corporate crimes.
- Endorses youth programs to prevent gang and criminal involvement, advocating for preventive strategies to effectively reduce long-term crime rates.

Public Safety

Supports education as key to economic recovery, advocating for initiatives that equip Americans for global market success. Championed the Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act to save education jobs and prevent school layoffs.

Supports the Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act for its $10 billion in aid to save approximately 161,000 school jobs and prevent state job losses, service cuts, tax increases, and delays in economic recovery.

The candidate's website says, "Congressman Bishop also supported legislation to create a State Fiscal Stabilization Fund, which helps local school districts prevent teacher layoffs as well as modernize and repair public schools; ... a $2,500 American Opportunity Tax Credit to make college more affordable; an expansion of Head Start to 110,000 additional children; and increased funds for ... improving teacher quality."

Supports enhancing access and affordability of schools and universities, backed the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act for historic college funding, reforms to save and reinvest in education, and increases in Pell Grants and low-interest student loans.

Supports  the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act for historic college funding and increases in Pell Grants and low-interest student loans.

Supports distance learning expansion in southwest Georgia through a $20 million stimulus, enhancing broadband in five counties and increasing speeds to 12 Mbps with combined stimulus grants and private funds.

- Supports  the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act for historic college funding and increases in Pell Grants and low-interest student loans.
- Supports distance learning expansion in southwest Georgia through a $20 million stimulus, enhancing broadband in five counties and increasing speeds to 12 Mbps with combined stimulus grants and private funds.

Education

The candidate's website says, "…Fort Benning (near Columbus) and Albany’s Marine Corps Logistics are within the district… His representing these military installations has given Congressman Bishop a primary role in addressing a wide-range of issues that affect our service men and women. He has also traveled to both Iraq and Afghanistan to visit the troops and see firsthand the remarkable work our young men and women were doing there."

The candidate's website says, "Through his service on the House Appropriations Subcommittees on Defense, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs... Congressman Bishop has proudly supported the men and women of United States armed forces... He firmly believes national security and defense of our homeland can and must be done in a way that is consistent with the Constitution and values of the United States... Congressman Bishop fights to make sure our military’s men and women have the best weapons, equipment, materials, and support for their families..."

The candidate's website says, "Congressman Bishop also serves on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee. As part of his service on this subcommittee, he has championed the largest increase in funding for our nation’s veterans."

The candidate's website says, "Congressman Bishop supports efforts to improve the quality of life for the men and women who sacrifice to serve our nation, as well as the many veterans who have served us in the past."

As of March 19, 2024, Sanford Bishop’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Foreign Policy and Immigration

Twitter

Facebook

Sanford Bishop

- Your US Representative represents the interests of your district in the US House of Representatives, the lower house of Congress. Georgia currently has 14 US Representatives.
- US Representatives can author, sponsor, debate, and vote on bills that become national law.
- Representatives may serve on congressional committees. Committees focus on certain policy areas, such as transportation, education, or labor. They may also run for higher positions within their party, such as the Speaker of the House or Majority/Minority Leader.
- Representatives are elected to two-year terms. To hold this office, a candidate must be a legal resident of Georgia and a US citizen for at least seven years before their election. US Representatives are paid a salary of $174,000/year.