Biography
Roger Frederick Wicker, born on July 5, 1951, in Pontotoc, Mississippi, is a Republican politician serving as the senior United States Senator from Mississippi since 2007. He began his political career in the Mississippi State Senate and later represented Mississippi's 1st congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives . Appointed to the Senate in 2007 to fill the vacancy left by Trent Lott, Wicker has been reelected multiple times, most recently in 2024.
Education and Military Service
-
Education: Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctor degrees from the University of Mississippi.
-
Military Service: Served on active duty in the U.S. Air Force and continued in the Air Force Reserve until retiring as a lieutenant colonel in 2004.
Political Experience
-
Mississippi State Senate: Represented the 6th district .
-
U.S. House of Representatives: Represented Mississippi's 1st congressional district .
-
U.S. Senate: Appointed in 2007; elected to full terms in 2008, 2012, 2018, and 2024.
Notable Achievements and Positions
-
Committee Leadership:
- Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee for the 119th Congress.
- Chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, focusing on security and cooperation in Europe.
-
Legislation:
- Authored the "Securing the Homeland by Increasing our Power on the Seas Act," establishing the policy for a 355-ship Navy fleet, signed into law as part of the National Defense Authorization Act.
-
Advocacy:
- Strong proponent of economic development initiatives to enhance Mississippi's competitiveness in the global market.
- Recognized for efforts in health-related causes, including cancer survivorship, heart disease, diabetes, childhood obesity, and Alzheimer's.
- Co-founder of the Senate Malaria and Neglected Tropical Disease Caucus and co-chair of the Rare Disease Caucus.
Senator Wicker's extensive experience and leadership roles underscore his commitment to national defense, economic growth, and public health initiatives.
