Joe Wilson

Addison Graves "Joe" Wilson Sr. was born on July 31, 1947, in Charleston, South Carolina. He graduated from the High School of Charleston in 1965, subsequently earning a bachelor's degree in political science from Washington & Lee University in 1969 and a Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1972. His early professional career included serving on the staffs of Senator Strom Thurmond and Congressman Floyd Spence, as well as holding the position of Deputy General Counsel for the U.S. Department of Energy during the Reagan administration. Wilson served in the United States Army Reserves from 1972 to 1975 and the South Carolina Army National Guard from 1975 until his retirement as a Colonel in 2003. He also maintained a legal practice for over 25 years as a founding partner of a law firm in West Columbia. Before entering federal office, Wilson served 17 years in the South Carolina State Senate from 1985 to 2001, where he was the first Republican to chair the Senate Transportation Committee since the Reconstruction era. A member of the Republican Party, Wilson was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives for South Carolina's 2nd District in a special election on December 18, 2001. In Congress, he has been a senior member of the House Armed Services and Foreign Affairs Committees. He has served as Chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission and as the Chairman of the National Security Taskforce for the Republican Policy Committee.

Wilson emphasizes a conservative policy platform focused on limited government and national security. In economic matters, he supports broad tax cuts, such as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, deregulation, and the promotion of "right-to-work" laws to stimulate job creation. His immigration policy prioritizes the enforcement of existing laws and the strengthening of border security, while he publicly opposes amnesty for illegal immigrants. On foreign policy, Wilson advocates for "peace through strength," supporting a robust military budget and strong alliances with partners like Israel and NATO allies in Eastern Europe. He frequently focuses on countering threats from Iran and the proliferation of drone technology in the Middle East. Additionally, he has consistently supported policies aimed at reducing federal spending and limiting the role of the federal government in sectors such as healthcare and education.