Remembering a lion of the Georgia Senate, my friend Bruce Thompson

In politics, friendships are often superficial and only last as long as they have utility. Once they are no longer deemed beneficial, they can dissipate into the ether. That’s the transactional nature of the political world, but after spending many years working in politics, I can tell you not everyone falls into this vicious cycle.

Former state Senator and Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson was different. Bruce was my friend, and he sadly passed away days before Thanksgiving after a hard-fought battle with cancer. He left behind a family and a host of friends who will forever remember him and an indelible imprint on the Peach State. If the measure of a man is his legacy, then Bruce has reason to be proud.

Before entering the public arena, Bruce grew up on a Montana farm, served as a tank commander in the U.S. Army National Guard and enjoyed a wildly successful business career. As the Georgia Department of Labor notes, “A natural entrepreneur, Bruce launched his first business at the age of 10 and went on to build a remarkable portfolio of ventures, including two automatic pool cover companies, six insurance agencies, two funeral homes, and several software firms.”

In time, he campaigned to replace Barry Loudermilk—who ran for Congress—in the Georgia State Senate and cruised to victory. Within the Senate, Bruce earned a reputation for being a kind of indomitable figure. If you were friends with Bruce, it was like having a big brother in the Legislature. He had your back so long as you fought for something good.

He even introduced several pieces of legislation on my behalf. However, on one occasion, a bill I worked on was about to hit the Senate floor for a vote, and two influential senators approached Bruce and asked that he postpone the vote because they took umbrage with the measure. Instead of bowing to their will, he looked them in the eyes and simply said, “Today is not the day to mess with me.” They took their seats and subsequently voted for his bill. 

His tenure in the Senate was marked by a host of legislative successes, including many pro-business occupational licensing reforms that made it easier for people to get to work, especially veterans and military spouses. Not long ago, he told me about one of his proudest legislative accomplishments—the passage of the Dexter Mosely bill. It “authorizes homeschool students in grades 6 through 12 to participate in extracurricular and interscholastic (E/I) activities, including sports, in their local public school system,” according to the Georgia Home Education Association. Despite seeming innocuous, it was a knock-down drag-out fight.

After many years in the Georgia Senate, Bruce decided to challenge the incumbent Republican Labor Commissioner, and against all odds, he won. Bruce then worked tirelessly to turn the beleaguered agency around with remarkable success, but some time after his inauguration, he learned that he had late stage cancer. He continued his work and battled the illness relentlessly—receiving at least 10 rounds of chemotherapy.

He and I spoke many times during his struggle, and throughout the ordeal, his faith and children remained central to him. As a recent tribute reads, “Above all, Bruce cherished his role as a father. He often spoke of his gratitude to the Lord for the privilege of raising his son, Max, and his daughter, Faith. A devoted believer in Jesus Christ, Bruce lived his life guided by faith.”

Bruce was always doggedly pro-life and pro-family, and when he found out that my family was growing, he excitedly texted me, “I need to be healthy so I can hold that baby!” That never came to pass, but he was at least able to see pictures. In the second to last message he sent me, Bruce wrote, “Congrats to all of the Hyden family! Super excited to meet [your child]! She is beautiful like her mama!! You are a lucky man my friend!”

Bruce passed away on November 24 at the age of 59. While I do not know why some people are called home early, the void he leaves demonstrates the outsized role he once enjoyed. A loyal friend, an ally and a big brother in the Senate, Bruce will be missed.