Georgia Votes

U.S. House District 2: Bishop seeks 18th term in SW Georgia

The veteran Democrat will face off against Republican businessman Matt Day in the November general election.
(Illustration: By the AJC)
(Illustration: By the AJC)
By Jamie Dupree – For The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Updated May 20, 2026

Even before a single primary vote was counted, the November ballot was set for Georgia’s 2nd Congressional District.

U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop, D-Albany, who has held the southwest Georgia seat since 1992, ran unopposed in the Democratic primary.

He will face Republican businessman Matt Day, who calls himself a commonsense conservative.

State Republicans had hoped that this district would turn more towards the GOP in recent years but Bishop has been able to survive his two most recent election challenges.

After winning by 9% in 2022, Bishop won by a more comfortable 13% margin in 2024. He is serving his 17th term in Congress.

The district, largely rural and agricultural, includes Albany, Americus, and parts of Macon and Columbus.

It is widely expected that the lines could be redrawn to favor Republicans following the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling weakening the Voting Right Act. State legislators will return to the Capitol in June to tackle redistricting for the 2028 election cycle.

U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop, D-Albany, speaks at the Georgia Chamber Congressional Luncheon at Columbus Convention and Trade Center in Columbus on Wednesday, August 20, 2025. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)
U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop, D-Albany, speaks at the Georgia Chamber Congressional Luncheon at Columbus Convention and Trade Center in Columbus on Wednesday, August 20, 2025. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

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Jamie Dupree

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