Matthew Wilson (politician)

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]

Matthew Wilson
Member of the Georgia House of Representatives
from the 80th district
Assumed office
January 14, 2019
Preceded byMeagan Hanson
Personal details
Born
Walter Matthew Wilson

(1984-01-11) January 11, 1984
Griffin, Georgia
Political partyDemocratic
ResidenceBrookhaven, Georgia
Alma materUniversity of Georgia (B.S.,J.D.)
ProfessionAttorney
Website

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]

Electoral history

2018
Georgia House of Representatives, 80th District - November 6, 2018[11]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Matthew Wilson 12,578 52.48%
Republican Meagan Hanson 11,389 47.52%

References
  1. Mitchell, Tia (2018-11-07). "Incumbent losses mean no more Republicans in DeKalb delegation". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved 2019-01-05.
  2. Mitchell, Tia (2018-10-10). "Metro Atlanta House seat has flipped between parties since 2015". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved 2019-01-05.
  3. Saunders, Patrick (2018-11-07). "Three of six LGBTQ candidates sail to victory across Georgia". Project Q. Retrieved 2019-01-05.
  4. Duncan, Dallas. "Meet the gay man running for a state House seat in Brookhaven". Georgia Voice. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
  5. Saunders, Patrick. "Get to know Atlanta's LGBTQ candidates before Tuesday's vote". Project Q. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
  6. "Matthew Wilson (Georgia)". Ballotpedia.
  7. "W. Matthew Wilson". Akin & Tate. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
  8. "Meet Matthew". Matthew for Georgia. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
  9. Saunders, Patrick (May 3, 2018). "Gay attorney gets Victory Fund endorsement in Georgia House race". Project Q Atlanta. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
  10. Coyne, Amanda (August 27, 2018). "Obama endorsements target 'flippable' metro Atlanta House districts". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
  11. "Georgia Secretary of State Election Results". Retrieved January 5, 2019.
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