
Joe Wilson
Republican | South Carolina
Candidate Profile*
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Joe Wilson
Party
Republican
Election Year
2026
Election
Republican Primary
Race
U.S. Representative, District 2
Incumbent
Yes
EDUCATION
Washington & Lee University, Lexington, VA, BA, 1969
University of South Carolina Law, Columbia, SC, JD, 1972
WORK & MILITARY
US Army Reserve, 1972-1975
SC Army National Guard, Colonel, 1975-2003
AFFILIATIONS
Cayce West Columbia Rotaty, Former Chair
Sheriff's Department Law Enforcement Advisory Coun, Member
First Presbyterian Church, Member
County Community and Resource Development Committe, Member
Mid-Carolina Mental Health Association, Member
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
US House of Representatives, 2001-
SC Senate, 1985-2001
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
ENDORSEMENTS*
CONSERVATIVE (2)
Campaign for Working Families
National Right To Life
OTHER (1)
*President Donald J. Trump
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (230)
State Republican Party Organizations (2026)
Buddy Carter (2025)
John Lastinger (2025)
National Republican Congressional Committee Joint Campaigns (2025)
WinRed (2025)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (127)
Dominion Energy PAC (2026)
National Rifle Association (2025)
National Shooting Sports Foundation (2025)
Tracy Robins (2025)
WinRed (2025)
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (1)
Robert Dold (2013)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (12)
Food Solutions Action (2025)
Wilson Leadership PAC (2025)
American Maritime Officers (2024)
National Association of Letter Carriers (2022)
National Coalition of Turkish American Women (2020)
OTHER INFORMATION
One of 81 Republicans who joined with Democrats to preserve $315M funding for the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), a non-profit agency with a history of bias against conservatives.
Representative sponsored H.R. 79, the WHO Withdrawal Act, which requires the President to immediately withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO) and prohibits using any federal funds to provide for U.S. participation in the WHO. The bill also repeals the 1948 act authorizing the U.S. to join the WHO.
This candidate voted for H.R. 485, the Protecting Care for All Patients Act, which would prohibit federal health programs from using discriminatory measures known as Quality-Adjusted Life Years (QALYs.) A vote for the bill is a pro-life position that indicates opposition to reducing or eliminating care for people with various disabilities and chronic conditions.
Candidate graded D- by pro-marijuana group NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws).
One of 149 House Republicans who voted for H.R. 3746, the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023, which suspended the nation's debt limit through January 1, 2025. A vote for H.R. 3746 allows the government to spend without limitation for 19 months at an expected cost of $4 trillion.
This candidate voted against HR 8404. This vote indicates the candidate holds a position that supports traditional marriage.
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Human life deserves legal protection from conception until natural death.
Strongly Agree
The lives of human embryos created through artificial methods ought to be protected from purposeful destruction.
Strongly Agree
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
In the caes of rape, incest, and the life of the mother.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Disagree
The Comstock Act, which bans interstate transportation of abortion-inducing drugs, should be enforced.
Strongly Agree
ECONOMY
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
People who can afford to pay more taxes should do so in order to provide relief for working families.
Strongly Disagree
The government should cut spending in order to reduce the national debt.
Strongly Agree
List your top 3-5 priorities to eliminate government waste.
Privatize Transportation Security Administration. Eliminate the Department of Education. Return Federal Emergency Management Agency to the States.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
Restrain government from intruding on individual religious promotion and freedom.
HEALTHCARE
What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D) Taxpayer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be defunded.
Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary.
The government should keep a database of people with various ongoing medical illnesses to assess the economic burden of treatment.
Strongly Disagree
NATIONAL SECURITY
With regard to America's foreign policy, which view most closely resembles yours: A) The United States should intervene whenever freedom is threatened. B) The United States should selectively help countries trying to grow democracy and fight tyranny. C) The United States has become too involved in others' policies and should remain focused on issues regarding our own sovereignty unless in imminent danger. D) The United States should stay out of foreign conflicts completely.
The United States should selectively help countries trying to grow democracy and fight tyranny.
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Strongly Agree
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
The United States relationship with Israel is incredibly important and I am grateful to have them as our strongest ally in that region.
Islamic terrorism is a threat to the United States' national security.
Strongly Agree
IMMIGRATION
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
We have good laws that should be enforced promoting legal immigration which has been so positive for new, valued citizens.
I support the existence of sanctuary cities to protect undocumented persons.
Strongly Disagree
EDUCATION
I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.
Strongly Agree
Foreign governments should be prohibited from funding American education.
Strongly Agree
VALUES
Attempts to physically or socially transition a child to the opposite sex constitute child abuse.
Strongly Agree
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.
Strongly Agree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
Grateful member of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
EQUALITY
Biological males should not be allowed to participate in women's sports or occupy biological women's spaces whether it be bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women's shelters, or prison.
Strongly Agree
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
I support all of the above energy solutions to meet increasing demands.
ABOUT YOU
Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
No.
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
No.
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?
Very Conservative
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Government has a responsibility to protect children from sexual exploitation during online activities.
Strongly Agree
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution provides very clear guidance on gun ownership. Background checks should be expedited and thorough.
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