Mississippi Congressman Bennie Thompson, a Democrat representing the 2nd District, received an endorsement Monday from the Southern Poverty Law Center Action Fund. The group is affiliated with the Southern Poverty Law Center, which the U.S. Department of Justice has charged with fraud, conspiracy, and money laundering.
The SPLC Action Fund endorsed Thompson along with nine other members of the Congressional Black Caucus. Thompson, who has served in Congress for more than 30 years, is seeking re-election against Republican Ron Eller and Democrat-turned-Independent Bennie Foster in the upcoming midterm elections in November.
The SPLC Action Fund cited the potential impact of a forthcoming U.S. Supreme Court decision in Louisiana v. Callais, which it said could weaken the Voting Rights Act and enable states to gerrymander Black congressional districts out of existence. The fund is the 501(c)(4) affiliate of the SPLC, which federal prosecutors accuse of funneling millions of dollars to extremist groups between 2014 and 2023 while claiming to fight such groups.
The SPLC Action Fund describes itself as “a catalyst for racial justice in the South and beyond,” working to dismantle white supremacy and promote human rights. It pledged over $300,000 to support the anti-school choice group The Parents Campaign and has backed litigation challenging Mississippi’s legislative districts.
Madison Hollon, senior program manager of political campaigns for the SPLC Action Fund, praised Black members of Congress for their advocacy. She said, “The members of the [Congressional Black Caucus] that we are endorsing have consistently used their political power to give a voice to their communities and to advance legislation that serves the interests of all Americans.”
Other Democratic members endorsed by the SPLC Action Fund include Rep. Sanford Bishop of Georgia, Rep. Troy Carter of Louisiana, Rep. Cleo Fields of Louisiana, Rep. Shomari Figures of Alabama, Rep. Maxwell Frost of Florida, Rep. Hank Johnson of Georgia, Rep. Lucy McBath of Georgia, Rep. Terri Sewell of Alabama, and Rep. Frederica Wilson of Florida.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
