FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 04, 2026
March 04, 2026
Contact:
Tim Kauffman
202-374-6491
[email protected]
Largest Federal Employee Union Endorses Rep. Bennie Thompson for Reelection to Congress
Categories:
Congress, Election 2026, House
AFGE says Thompson is a steadfast champion for federal employees
KILLEEN, Texas –– The American Federation of Government Employees today announced its endorsement of Bennie Thompson for reelection to the U.S. House representing Mississippi’s 2nd Congressional District in the 2026 elections. The statewide primary is March 10, and the general election is Nov. 3.
A native of Bolton, Miss., Rep. Thompson was first elected to Congress in 1993 and is now serving his 17th term, making him the state’s longest serving Black elected official and the only Democrat in its federal delegation. Shaped by his early activism with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee at Tougaloo College, Thompson’s career has been defined by an unwavering commitment to civil rights, voting rights, health care access, rural development, veterans, social security, and historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).
“For years, Congressman Bennie Thompson has been a steadfast champion for federal employees and the essential work they do every day. When our members have faced threats to their jobs, pay, or benefits, he has never hesitated to stand up and fight back. Federal workers know they have a true ally in Congress,” AFGE District 10 National Vice President Cheryl Eliano said.
Thompson has been a fierce supporter of preserving and strengthening federal workers’ rights and protections under Title 5 of the U.S. Code and has spoken at numerous AFGE events to demonstrate his solidarity with federal workers and labor unions.
Nearly 20,000 federal employees live in Mississippi – caring for veterans, supporting the military, and getting Social Security recipients their benefits accurately and on time.
AFGE is the largest federal employee union in the country, representing more than 820,000 federal and D.C. government workers in all functions of government. AFGE represents more than 136,000 federal employees in District 10, which includes Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Panama, and Texas.
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