Bennie Thompson was born January 28, 1948 in Bolton, Miss. He attended Hinds County public schools before earning degrees from Tougaloo College and Jackson State University. He served as an Alderman, then Mayor of Bolton before being elected to the Hinds County Board of Supervisors. Thompson joined the U.S. House of Representatives in April 1993, after winning a special election.

Bennie Thompson currently serves as Chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee.