David S. Wilson
David S. Wilson (born ca. 1981) is an American politician from Alaska. A Republican, Wilson has represented District D in the Alaska Senate since 2017. He formerly served as a city councilman in Wasilla.[1]
David S. Wilson | |
|---|---|
 David Wilson seated in the Senate chamber of the Alaska State Capitol in May 2019 | |
| Member of the Alaska Senate from the D district | |
| Assumed office January 17, 2017 | |
| Preceded by | Charlie Huggins |
| Personal details | |
| Born | ca. 1981 (age 38–39) California |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Aleta |
| Residence | Wasilla, Alaska |
| Alma mater | Alaska Pacific University |
Wilson was elected to the Senate at the age of 35. He narrowly defeated Representative Lynn Gattis in the Republican primary to succeed longtime Senator Charlie Huggins, who was retiring, in August 2016. He was endorsed in his campaign by the conservative Republican Assembly but did not run with the backing of the Alaska Republican Party. He was previously an unaffiliated voter, registering with the Republican Party less than a year before his primary victory.[1]
Upon being sworn in on January 17, 2017, Wilson became the first African-American elected to the Senate from Alaska's Matanuska-Susitna Valley,[2] Wilson is the eighth African-American to serve in the Alaska Legislature. Of those eight, he is the third Republican, the second senator, the first Republican senator and the first to represent an area of Alaska outside of Anchorage or Fairbanks.
Personal life
Wilson was born in California and raised in a Christian household. He attended Alaska Pacific University, earning a degree in psychology, where he met his wife, Aleta.
See also
References
- Lockyer, Ellen (August 18, 2016). "Wilson upsets Gattis for state Senate seat". Alaska Public Media. Retrieved January 17, 2017.
- Hollander, Zaz (September 27, 2016). "After upset victory in Senate primary, Wasilla councilman still needs to win over some Mat-Su Republicans". Alaska Dispatch News. Retrieved January 17, 2017.
- "Alaska Dispatch News reporter slapped by Wasilla lawmaker". Alaska Dispatch News. Retrieved 2017-10-23.
- Andrew Kitchenman, Alaska Public Media & KTOO (December 12, 2017). "State prosecutor decides not to charge Sen. Wilson in reporter slapping". alaskapublic.org.
- BECKY BOHRER (January 31, 2018). "Alaska senator disciplined after retaliation finding". apnews.com.
| Honorary titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Lesil McGuire |
Youngest member of the Alaska Senate 2017– |
Succeeded by Current |