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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