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Norman Sisisky

American politician (1927–2001)

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Norman Sisisky
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 4th district
In office January 3, 1983 – March 29, 2001
Preceded by	Robert Daniel
Succeeded by	Randy Forbes
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates from the 27th District
In office 1982–1983
Preceded by	Clauder Anderson
Succeeded by	Robert Jones
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates from the 30th District
In office 1974–1982
Preceded by	W. Roy Smith
Succeeded by	Robert Ackerman
Personal details
Born	June 9, 1927 Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Died	March 29, 2001(2001-03-29) (aged 73) Petersburg, Virginia, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Rhoda
Children	4
Alma mater	Virginia Commonwealth University
Profession	Businessman
Military service
Branch/service	United States Navy
Years of service	1945–46

Norman Sisisky (June 9, 1927 – March 29, 2001) was an American businessman and politician who was a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from Virginia from 1983 until his death in 2001, representing the 4th District. He was a leader of the Blue Dog Coalition and one of the most conservative Democrats in Congress at the time.

Biography[edit]

Sisisky was born in Baltimore, Maryland but grew up in Richmond, Virginia. He was Jewish.^[1] Upon graduating from high school, he served a two-year tour of duty in the U.S. Navy.^[2] In 1946, he entered Virginia Commonwealth University, earning a business degree in 1949.^[2] Sisisky became a successful businessman, founding an independent bottling company in Petersburg that later became a part of Pepsi's Virginia operations.

Virginia state legislature[edit]

In 1973, Sisisky was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates, serving for five terms.^[2]

Congress[edit]

In 1982, Sisisky was elected to Congress, defeating five-term incumbent Republican Robert Daniel and serving from 1983 to 2001. A fiscal disciplinarian, he aligned himself with the Democratic Party's Blue Dog coalition.^[2] He was a leading member of the Intelligence Committee and worked closely with the CIA.

Personal life and death[edit]

Sisisky and his wife, Rhoda, had four sons.^[2] He died from lung cancer at his home in Petersburg, Virginia, on March 29, 2001, at the age of 73.^[3] A special election was held June 19, 2001 to fill his seat, and Republican State Senator Randy Forbes defeated Democratic State Senator Louise Lucas for the remainder of Sisisky's term.

Electoral history[edit]

• 1982; Sisisky was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives with 54.38% of the vote, defeating Republican Robert Daniel.
• 1984; Sisisky was re-elected unopposed.
• 1986; Sisisky was re-elected unopposed.
• 1988; Sisisky was re-elected unopposed.
• 1990; Sisisky was re-elected with 78.55% of the vote, defeating Independents Don L. Reynolds and Loretta F. Chandler.
• 1992; Sisisky was re-elected with 68.37% of the vote, defeating Republican Anthony J. Zevgolis.
• 1994; Sisisky was re-elected with 61.61% of the vote, defeating Republican A. George Sweet, III.
• 1996; Sisisky was re-elected with 78.61% of the vote, defeating Republican Zevgolis.
• 1998; Sisisky was re-elected unopposed.
• 2000; Sisisky was re-elected unopposed.

See also[edit]

• List of Jewish members of the United States Congress
• List of United States Congress members who died in office (2000–)#2000s

References[edit]

External links[edit]

• United States Congress. "Norman Sisisky (id: S000453)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
• Biography
• Norman Sisisky
• AppearancesonC-SPAN