Sanford Bishop wins 18th term in Congress, remains dean of Georgia delegation

U.S. Rep. Sanford D. Bishop Jr., the longest-serving member of Georgia's congressional delegation, won election to an 18th term Tuesday, defeating Republican challenger Matt Day and extending a political career that has made him one of the state's most influential voices in Washington.

Unofficial election results reported early Wednesday showed Bishop, a Democrat, receiving approximately 59.8% of the vote to Day's 40.2%. The results remain subject to certification.

Bishop, who has represented Georgia's 2nd Congressional District since 1993, will begin his 18th consecutive two-year term in January 2027.

As dean of Georgia's congressional delegation, Bishop holds the distinction of having served longer in the U.S. House of Representatives than any other current member of the state's delegation.

His district includes much of southwest Georgia, including Columbus, Albany and surrounding communities. Throughout his tenure, Bishop has emphasized economic development, agricultural interests, military readiness, veterans' services, rural health care and federal investment in underserved communities.

A senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, Bishop has played a significant role in shaping federal spending priorities, particularly those affecting agriculture, defense installations, infrastructure and communities across Georgia.

His representation of Columbus and the surrounding region has included continued advocacy for Fort Benning, one of the nation's most important military installations, and the economic contributions it makes to the Chattahoochee Valley.

First elected to Congress in 1992, Bishop has built a political career marked by longstanding relationships with constituents, local government officials, business leaders and community organizations.

His latest victory reinforces his position as a veteran Democratic lawmaker representing a politically diverse district in a state that has experienced significant demographic and political changes over the past three decades.

With his 18th term approaching, Bishop will enter his 35th year in Congress in 2027, continuing a congressional career that has spanned six presidential administrations and major changes in Georgia's political landscape.

For residents of Georgia's 2nd Congressional District, his reelection means continued representation by one of the state's most experienced lawmakers and a familiar voice advocating for the interests of southwest Georgia in the nation's capital.