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ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) — With Election Day just days away, Republican challenger Matt Day is intensifying his bid to unseat longtime Democratic U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop in Georgia’s 2nd Congressional District, centering his campaign on business recruitment, economic revitalization, and sharp allegations against local leaders.

Day, who has not served in a political seat, pointed to his background managing large-scale commercial construction projects. He says he shifted the strategy in the closing weeks of early voting to directly challenge Rep. Bishop’s three-decade tenure and what he called political ‘corruption’ in Southwest Georgia.

“I’ve come to showcase what [Rep. Bishop’s] policies have done to a district,” Day said. “I have never seen policies hurt more people than his policies has hurt right here.”

Rep. Bishop, who has represented the district since 1993, serves as the ranking member of the House Appropriations Committee, overseeing subcommittees that influence funding for agriculture, rural development, and military infrastructure. Day argued that despite that federal influence, the district continues to suffer economically.

“This man controls the pocketbook to the greatest country on Earth. Could you imagine controlling three different appropriation committees?” Day said “But that man has not got the same qualifications that I have...I know what it’s like to run a $100 million budget to a $2 million budget and a hundred of them at the same time.”

Social media controversy

Day has also made serious, but unverified claims on social media and during his interview with WALB alleging a corrupt network between elected officials and local church pastors in Dougherty County, accusing pastors of trading food assistance and housing access for votes.

“These pastors supposed to be preaching the word of God and helping people. But instead they’re profiting off of poverty,” Day said, claiming poll workers and residents have reached out to his team with complaints. “...the only thing that I dislike more than a corrupt politician is a preacher who uses their position for financial gain.”

Day lays his plans for District 2

When asked about his vision for District 2 residents, Day pointed to Albany as his primary focal point for economic recovery, pledging to attract advanced manufacturing and agricultural processing to the East Oglethorpe corridor.

“Albany can be an agricultural processing hub. I want to bring in high-paying jobs,” Day said. “We should be taking cotton in Albany, Georgia, because we grow it here, and making underwear for Hanes and T-shirts, and stop sending it to Asia.”

When WALB asked why Albany was his focal point, Day pointed to the city’s potential for renewal despite recent population loss.

The republican candidate also proposed securing federal grants to clean up abandoned properties, partnering with local trade programs to train high school students for manufacturing careers, and expanding tourism centered on Southwest Georgia’s waterways and wildlife.

“I really believe, as soon as we get the streets cleaned up, and we start showcasing... business after business after business started because these people become wealthy, and they invested in their communities,” Day said. “I think that this can happen in Albany.”

Ahead of the interview with Matt Day, WALB reached out to Rep. Bishop’s office requesting an interview with the incumbent on Friday, Oct. 23. We also informed the office of our scheduled conversation with his challenger on Oct. 26.

Following the interview, WALB reached out to Rep. Bishop’s office again on Oct. 28, noting Day’s criticisms of his record in District 2 and requesting an opportunity to speak with him. We received a response just after 4 p.m., saying Rep. Bishop would sit down with WALB for an interview Monday, Nov. 2 on our daily streaming news show, What’s Going On.

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