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

Sisisky was born in Baltimore, Maryland but grew up in Richmond, Virginia. He was Jewish. Upon graduating from high school, he served a two-year tour of duty in the U.S. Navy. In 1946, he entered Virginia Commonwealth University, earning a business degree in 1949. 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

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

Congress

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. He was a leading member of the Intelligence Committee and worked closely with the CIA.

Personal life and death

Sisisky and his wife, Rhoda, had four sons. He died from lung cancer at his home in Petersburg, Virginia, on March 29, 2001, at the age of 73. 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