Charles Bishop (Alabama senator)

Charles Bishop
Member of the Alabama Senate from the 5th district
In office 1983–1990, 2006–2010
Personal details
Born	Moro, Arkansas
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Cynthia

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.

A former Democrat, Bishop served in the State Senate previously 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.^[1] 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.^[2] 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 controversial Council of Conservative Citizens.^[3]

References

1. ^ "Republican Punches Democrat in Alabama Senate Chamber", Foxnews.com. 8 June 2007.
2. ^ Johnson, Bob. "Ala. lawmaker punches Senate colleague." Associated Press. 7 June 2007.
3. ^ "CofCC 2008 National Conference - New Speech Added Online". Council of Conservative Citizens. http://cofcc.org/?p=1161. Retrieved 2009-06-03. 

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
  • 2006 2002 Senate campaign contributions
  • 1998 Agriculture Commissioner campaign contributions

Persondata
Name	Bishop, Charles
Alternative names
Short description	American politician
Date of birth
Place of birth	Moro, Arkansas
Date of death
Place of death