Sanford Bishop officially kicks off congressional campaign in Albany

ALBANY — Rep. Sanford Bishop Jr., D-Albany, has been a member of the United States House of Representatives for the past 24 years. He’s done battle with cancer, won a tight race for re-election six years ago, and represents 29 counties in one of the nation’s poorest congressional districts.

But through it all, he has endured. Thursday evening, Bishop officially opened his Albany campaign headquarters as he seeks a 13th term in the House.

“I’ve worked with the congressman for more than 15 years,” long-time aide Kenneth Cutts said. “I have seen him up close and personal. This job is a labor of love for him, and the bottom line is the most important thing to him his looking out for the interests of his constituents.”

Bishop, an attorney, has been involved in government for 40 years and is showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

“I have been blessed to serve the people of the 2nd District of Georgia,” the congressman said. “And I have done my dead level best to have a positive impact on the people of the district. I have worked hard on representing the values of those people — God, country, work, family and guns. Through my committee assignments, I have tried to position myself to better serve the people of the district.”

Bishop serves on the House Committee on Appropriations, where he is a member of three subcommittees: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration; Subcommittee on Financial Services, and is the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs.

“I feel the most important part of my job is the constituent services we provide,” Bishop said. “If a person has an issue with the federal government, I try to act as a liaison between the government and the people. I hope to have my contract renewed for another two years. I can promise you, I will not betray that trust.”

Mt. Zion Baptist Church Pastor Daniel Simmons is a Bishop supporter.

“For the past 24 years you have represented us well, and we will send you back again,” Simmons said. “Servant, well done.”

Bishop urged the overflow crowd at his campaign headquarters kickoff to get out and vote on Nov. 8.

“This country is at a crossroads with so very much at stake,” he said. “The election is very important and will be impactful because this is not a partisan issue, rather it is an America issue.”

The congressman then addressed a rumor surrounding the campaign that if Hillary Clinton is elected president, Bishop would be considered for the position of Secretary of Agriculture.

“I am in a pretty good position committeewise at the moment,” Bishop said. “It would be a great honor to be asked, but it’s not a call I think I’ll get and if I did I’m not sure I would accept.”

Bishop is pitted against Republican Greg Duke of Leesburg in the general election.