Biography

Addison "Joe" Graves Wilson, born on July 31, 1947, in Charleston, South Carolina, is a Republican politician serving as the U.S. Representative for South Carolina's 2nd Congressional District since 2001. His district encompasses areas from Columbia to the Georgia–South Carolina border. Prior to his tenure in Congress, Wilson served in the South Carolina State Senate from 1984 to 2001. He is a founding partner of the law firm Kirkland, Wilson, Moore, Taylor & Thomas. Wilson also served in the United States Army Reserves from 1972 to 1975 and the South Carolina Army National Guard from 1975 to 2003, retiring as a Colonel.

Education

• Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Washington and Lee University, 1969
• Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law, 1972

Political Experience

• U.S. House of Representatives : Serving South Carolina's 2nd Congressional District.
  • Chair of the Subcommittee on the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia.
  • Member of the Subcommittee on Europe.
  • Member of the Subcommittee on Readiness.
  • Member of the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces.
  • Member of the Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions.
  • Chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission.
• South Carolina State Senate : Represented Lexington County with a perfect attendance record.
• Deputy General Counsel, U.S. Department of Energy : Served under Secretary Jim Edwards.
• Staff Positions:
  • Staff member for Senator Strom Thurmond.
  • Staff member for Congressman Floyd Spence.

Wilson has been actively involved in various caucuses, including serving as co-chair for the Bulgaria, French, UK, Korea, Ethiopia, Türkiye, Belarus, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Qatar, Republican Israel, Composites, and Counter-Kleptocracy caucuses. He is also a founding member and co-chair of the EU Caucus.

Throughout his career, Wilson has been a staunch advocate for a strong national defense, fiscal conservatism, and limited government intervention. He has sponsored and co-sponsored legislation focusing on teacher recruitment and retention, national security, and tax reforms.