A native of Bolton, Mississippi, Congressman Thompson began his political career over 34 years ago when he won his first elected office as Alderman in his hometown of Bolton.

After four years as Alderman, he served six years as Mayor of Bolton and then was elected Supervisor of Hinds County District Two. He served as County Supervisor for 13 years. He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in a special election in April, 1993, and represents Mississippi's Second Congressional District. He currently serves on the House Committee on Agriculture and the House Select Committee on Homeland Security.

Bennie Thompson was educated in the public schools of Hinds County, Mississippi. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Tougaloo College, and a Masters of Science degree from Jackson State University and completed extensive coursework at the University of Southern Mississippi toward a doctorate degree in Public Administration. For a brief time in his professional career he taught in the public school system of Mississippi and also served as an adjunct professor at Jackson State University.

A lifelong activist in the civil rights struggle, Congressman Thompson has been a participant in the complete spectrum of the fight for equality and in making the political system work for every citizen. As a grassroots volunteer, labor organizer, student activist, community leader and politician, Congressman Thompson remained focused in combating and working to address issues of race, gender, and class in both the private and public sectors.

Being a product of Mississippi colleges he had first hand knowledge of the disparity between funding, equipment, and supplies provided to the historically black colleges and those provided to white colleges. In reaction to that situation in 1975, Bennie Thompson became one of the original plaintiffs in the Ayers Case, which was decided in favor of the plaintiffs by the United States Supreme Court in 1992.

Rep. Bennie Thompson's Official Website

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The use of ethanol could increase net farm income by $4.5 billion and add $.30 to the value of every bushel of corn. (American Farm Bureau)