Charles Bishop (Alabama senator)
Encyclopedia
Charles Bishop was a Republican
member of the Alabama Senate
, representing the 5th District from 2006 to 2010. He did not seek re-election in 2010. The district covers portions of Jefferson
, Tuscaloosa
, Walker
and Winston
counties. He was succeeded by fellow Republican Greg Reed
.
As a Democrat
, Bishop served in the Alabama State Senate from 1983 to 1991. He ran unsuccessfully for his party’s nomination for governor in 1990 and 2002. He was elected as Commissioner of The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries
for the term from 1999 to 2003. Bishop switched to the Republican Party before the election in 2006. He unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination for a seat in the Alabama House of Representatives in 2010.
Bishop made national news in June 2007 when he hit fellow Senator Lowell Barron
, a Democrat, while on the Senate floor. According to the Birmingham News
Bishop claims that Barron called him a "son of a bitch" while the Senate was in recess
during an "animated conversation." Bishop was offended by this, as he said "Where I lived, if someone called you that, they are talking about your mother." Barron, in a Fox News report, denied saying that to Bishop. He said the Jasper senator used an expletive to him and he was trying to get away when he was hit by Bishop on the side of the head near an ear. Bishop reported that he hit Barron with his right arm, hitting him anywhere. Patrick Harris, assistant secretary of the Senate, saw the attack and restrained Bishop. The Senate later considered censuring Bishop and expelling him from the chamber for the remainder of the day, but Bishop said that wasn't necessary and walked out of the Statehouse
In 2008, Bishop gave a speech before the National Conference of the Council of Conservative Citizens
.
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
member of the Alabama Senate
Alabama Senate
The Alabama State Senate is the upper house of the Alabama Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Alabama. The body is composed of 35 members representing an equal amount of districts across the state, with each district containing at least 127,140 citizens...
, representing the 5th District from 2006 to 2010. He did not seek re-election in 2010. The district covers portions of Jefferson
Jefferson County, Alabama
Jefferson County is the most populous county in the U.S. state of Alabama, with its county seat being located in Birmingham.As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the population of Jefferson County was 658,466...
, Tuscaloosa
Tuscaloosa County, Alabama
Tuscaloosa County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama.It is named in honor of the pre-Choctaw chief Tuskaloosa. In 2010, the population was 194,656...
, Walker
Walker County, Alabama
Walker County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama.Its name is in honor of John Williams Walker, a member of the United States Senate. As of 2010 the population was 67,023...
and Winston
Winston County, Alabama
Winston County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama, formerly known as Hancock County before 1858.Its name is in honor of John A. Winston, the 15th Governor of Alabama. As of 2010, the population was 24,484. Its county seat is Double Springs....
counties. He was succeeded by fellow Republican Greg Reed
Greg Reed
Greg Reed is a Republican member of the Alabama Senate, representing the 5th District since 2010. He defeated Democrat Brett Wadsworth in the 2010 Midterm Eletions, to replace Charles Bishop in the 5th District.-External links:...
.
As a Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
, Bishop served in the Alabama State Senate from 1983 to 1991. He ran unsuccessfully for his party’s nomination for governor in 1990 and 2002. He was elected as Commissioner of The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries
Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries
The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries is an independent agency of the government of Alabama. The Department is responsible for serving farmers and consumers of agricultural products....
for the term from 1999 to 2003. Bishop switched to the Republican Party before the election in 2006. He unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination for a seat in the Alabama House of Representatives in 2010.
Bishop made national news in June 2007 when he hit fellow Senator Lowell Barron
Lowell Barron
Lowell Ray Barron is a successful businessman and a former member of the Alabama Senate, representing the 8th District since 1982. Barron, who is a Democrat, was elected President Pro Tem of the Alabama Senate from 1999 to 2007...
, a Democrat, while on the Senate floor. According to the Birmingham News
The Birmingham News
The Birmingham News is the principal daily newspaper for Birmingham, Alabama, United States, and the largest newspaper in Alabama. The paper is owned by Advance Publications...
Bishop claims that Barron called him a "son of a bitch" while the Senate was in recess
Recess (motion)
In parliamentary procedure, "recess" refers to legislative bodies—such as parliaments, assemblies, juries—that are released to reassemble at a later time. The members may leave the meeting room, but are expected to remain nearby. A recess may be simply to allow a break or it may be...
during an "animated conversation." Bishop was offended by this, as he said "Where I lived, if someone called you that, they are talking about your mother." Barron, in a Fox News report, denied saying that to Bishop. He said the Jasper senator used an expletive to him and he was trying to get away when he was hit by Bishop on the side of the head near an ear. Bishop reported that he hit Barron with his right arm, hitting him anywhere. Patrick Harris, assistant secretary of the Senate, saw the attack and restrained Bishop. The Senate later considered censuring Bishop and expelling him from the chamber for the remainder of the day, but Bishop said that wasn't necessary and walked out of the Statehouse
In 2008, Bishop gave a speech before the National Conference of the Council of Conservative Citizens
Council of Conservative Citizens
The Council of Conservative Citizens is an American political organization that supports a large variety of conservative and paleoconservative causes in addition to white nationalism, and white separatism...
.
External links
- Alabama State Legislature - Senator Charles Bishop official government website
- Project Vote Smart - Senator Charles D. Bishop Sr. (AL) profile
- Follow the Money - Charles Bishop