Matthew Wilson (politician)

Walter Matthew Wilson (born January 11, 1984) is an American politician and lawyer from Brookhaven, Georgia who served as 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
In office
January 14, 2019 – January 9, 2023
Preceded byMeagan Hanson
Succeeded byShea Roberts (Redistricting)
Personal details
Born
Walter Matthew Wilson

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

Wilson ran in the 2022 Democratic primary for Georgia's Insurance and Fire commissioner, losing to Janice Laws Robinson in a runoff. He was one of two openly LGBT primary candidates in the 2022 Democratic primaries for state executive office, alongside Renitta Shannon who ran for Lieutenant Governor. He was succeeded in the House by Long Tran.

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 3, 2020, defeating Republican challenger Alan Cole.[11]

Electoral history

2018
Georgia House of Representatives, 80th District - November 6, 2018[12]
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
Georgia House of Representatives, 80th District - November 3, 2020[11]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Matthew Wilson (Incumbent) 17,347 58.8%
Republican Alan Cole 12,173 41.2%
Total votes 29,520 100.0%
Democratic hold

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 (4 January 2018). "Meet the gay man running for a state House seat in Brookhaven". Georgia Voice. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
  5. Saunders, Patrick (17 May 2018). "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. "Election Night Reporting".
  12. "Georgia Secretary of State Election Results". Retrieved January 5, 2019.
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