Matthew Wilson (politician)
Matthew Wilson | |
---|---|
Member of the Georgia House of Representatives from the 80th district | |
Assumed office January 14, 2019 | |
Preceded by | Meagan Hanson |
Personal details | |
Born | Walter Matthew Wilson January 11, 1984 Griffin, Georgia, U.S. |
Political party | Democratic |
Residence | Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
Alma mater | University of Georgia (B.S., J.D.) |
Profession | Attorney |
Website | |
Walter Matthew Wilson (born January 11, 1984) is an American politician and lawyer from Brookhaven, Georgia and is the Georgia State Representative for the 80th district. A member of the Democratic Party, he defeated Republican incumbent Meagan Hanson in November 2018.[1][2] Wilson is only the second openly gay man to be elected to the Georgia legislature.[3]
Wilson is a candidate for Georgia's Insurance and Fire commissioner in 2022.
Early life and education[]
Wilson and his twin sister were raised in Griffin, Georgia.[4][5] He holds a Bachelor's degree and a Juris Doctor from University of Georgia.[6]
Following graduation from college, he participated in the national Teach For America program, teaching sixth-grade math and science at a low-income, inner-city school in Houston, Texas.[7]
Wilson is a partner with the law firm of Akin & Tate, where he is a general practice litigator.[7]
Political career[]
Wilson had his first political experience working as a staffer on the 2010 gubernatorial campaign of former Georgia Governor Roy Barnes.[2] He also served briefly as the legislative director for the State Bar of Georgia.[8]
He was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 2018 after defeating Republican incumbent Meagan Hanson.[1] Sean Meloy of LGBTQ Victory Fund described District 80 as "one of the most competitive in the entire state."[9] President Barack Obama endorsed Wilson.[10]
Wilson was re-elected to a second term in the state house on November 3rd 2020, defeating Republican challenger .[11]
Electoral history[]
2018[]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Matthew Wilson | 12,578 | 52.48% | |
Republican | Meagan Hanson (Incumbent) | 11,389 | 47.52% | |
Total votes | 23,973 | 100.0% | ||
Democratic gain from Republican |
2020[]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Matthew Wilson (Incumbent) | 17,347 | 58.8% | |
Republican | 12,173 | 41.2% | ||
Total votes | 29,520 | 100.0% | ||
Democratic hold |
References[]
- ^ a b Mitchell, Tia (2018-11-07). "Incumbent losses mean no more Republicans in DeKalb delegation". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved 2019-01-05.
- ^ a b Mitchell, Tia (2018-10-10). "Metro Atlanta House seat has flipped between parties since 2015". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved 2019-01-05.
- ^ Saunders, Patrick (2018-11-07). "Three of six LGBTQ candidates sail to victory across Georgia". Project Q. Retrieved 2019-01-05.
- ^ Duncan, Dallas (4 January 2018). "Meet the gay man running for a state House seat in Brookhaven". Georgia Voice. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
- ^ Saunders, Patrick (17 May 2018). "Get to know Atlanta's LGBTQ candidates before Tuesday's vote". Project Q. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
- ^ "Matthew Wilson (Georgia)". Ballotpedia.
- ^ a b "W. Matthew Wilson". Akin & Tate. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
- ^ "Meet Matthew". Matthew for Georgia. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
- ^ Saunders, Patrick (May 3, 2018). "Gay attorney gets Victory Fund endorsement in Georgia House race". Project Q Atlanta. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
- ^ Coyne, Amanda (August 27, 2018). "Obama endorsements target 'flippable' metro Atlanta House districts". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
- ^ "Election Night Reporting".
- ^ "Georgia Secretary of State Election Results". Retrieved January 5, 2019.
- ^ "Election Night Reporting".
External links[]
- Pages using Party stripe with other party
- Georgia (U.S. state) Democrats
- Members of the Georgia House of Representatives
- LGBT state legislators in Georgia (U.S. state)
- Politicians from Atlanta
- 21st-century American politicians
- Living people
- Georgia (U.S. state) lawyers
- University of Georgia alumni
- University of Georgia School of Law alumni
- Gay politicians
- 1984 births