Bennie Thompson | |
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![]() Official portrait, 2023 | |
Ranking Member of the House Homeland Security Committee | |
Assumed office January 3, 2023 | |
Preceded by | John Katko |
In office January 3, 2011 – January 3, 2019 | |
Preceded by | Peter King |
Succeeded by | Mike Rogers |
In office January 3, 2005 – January 3, 2007 | |
Preceded by | Jim Turner |
Succeeded by | Peter King |
Chair of the House January 6th Committee | |
In office July 1, 2021 – January 3, 2023 | |
Preceded by | Position established |
Succeeded by | Position abolished |
Chair of the House Homeland Security Committee | |
In office January 3, 2019 – January 3, 2023 | |
Preceded by | Michael McCaul |
Succeeded by | Mark Green |
In office January 3, 2007 – January 3, 2011 | |
Preceded by | Peter King |
Succeeded by | Peter King |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Mississippi's 2nd district | |
Assumed office April 13, 1993 | |
Preceded by | Mike Espy |
Personal details | |
Born | Bennie Gordon Thompson January 28, 1948 Bolton, Mississippi, U.S. |
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse |
London Johnson (m. 1968) |
Children | 1 |
Education | Tougaloo College (BA) Jackson State University (MS) |
Signature | ![]() |
Website | House website |
Bennie Gordon Thompson (born January 28, 1948) is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for Mississippi's 2nd congressional district since 1993. A member of the Democratic Party, Thompson served as the chair of the Committee on Homeland Security from 2007 to 2011 and from 2019 to 2023.[1] He was both the first Democrat and the first African American to chair the committee. He is the dean of Mississippi's congressional delegation.
Since 2011, Thompson has been the only Democrat in Mississippi's congressional delegation. His district includes most of Jackson and is the only majority-black district in the state. It is about 275 miles (443 km) long, 180 miles (290 km) wide, and borders the Mississippi River. The Mississippi Delta comprises the vast majority of the district.