Joe Wilson (American politician)

Joe Wilson (American politician) is an American attorney and politician serving as the U.S. representative for South Carolina's 2nd congressional district since 2001. A member of the Republican Party, he is a staunch conservative known for his advocacy for a strong national defense and his vocal support for the state of Israel. Wilson first gained national attention following a controversial outburst during a 2009 joint session of the United States Congress.

Early life and education

Joseph Wilson was born on July 31, 1947, in Charleston, South Carolina. He attended Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1969. Following his undergraduate studies, Wilson served in the South Carolina Army National Guard and later on active duty in the United States Army from 1972 to 1975, achieving the rank of captain. After his military service, he pursued a legal education, receiving a Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1978.

U.S. House of Representatives

Wilson was elected to the United States House of Representatives in a 2001 special election following the death of longtime Representative Floyd Spence. He has since been re-elected consistently from the heavily Republican South Carolina's 2nd congressional district, which includes areas around Columbia and parts of the South Carolina Lowcountry. In Congress, he has served on several influential committees, including the Armed Services Committee and the Foreign Affairs Committee. He is a senior member of the House Republican Conference and has held leadership roles such as chairman of the Republican Study Committee.

Political positions and views

Wilson is a reliably conservative vote, aligning with the positions of the Republican Party leadership. He is a strong advocate for increased defense spending and has been a vocal supporter of the military, particularly the missions of Fort Jackson and Shaw Air Force Base within his district. On foreign policy, he is a prominent defender of Israel and has co-sponsored legislation like the Israel Anti-Boycott Act. Domestically, Wilson supports lower taxes, opposes the Affordable Care Act, and advocates for strict immigration enforcement. He has a high lifetime rating from organizations like the American Conservative Union.

Controversies

Wilson garnered significant national notoriety on September 9, 2009, when he shouted "You lie!" at President Barack Obama during the President's address on the Affordable Care Act to a joint session of Congress. The breach of congressional decorum was widely condemned by members of both parties. Wilson later apologized and the House of Representatives passed a formal resolution of disapproval. In 2021, he was one of 147 Republican members of Congress who voted to object to the certification of electoral votes from certain states following the 2020 United States presidential election.

Electoral history

Wilson won his initial special election in 2001 with over 73% of the vote. He has faced re-election every two years, typically winning by wide margins in the Republican-leaning district. His most competitive race occurred in 2018, when he defeated Democratic challenger Sean Carrigan by a margin of 56% to 42%. In the 2022 election, he defeated Democrat Judd Larkins, receiving over 60% of the vote.

Personal life

Wilson is married to Roxanne Wilson, and they have four adult sons. One of his sons served as an infantry officer in the United States Army and was deployed to Afghanistan. The Wilson family resides in Springdale, South Carolina. He is a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Columbia and is an active member of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Category:1947 births Category:Living people Category:Members of the United States House of Representatives from South Carolina Category:Republican Party members of the United States House of Representatives