Incumbent
Joe Wilson
Incumbent Republican candidate for U.S. House in South Carolina
SC-02 Republican nominee?
$15.7K
JUN 10, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Live Odds
Current prediction-market probability for the candidate, updated as market prices change.
Joe Wilson is trading at 99% to win the SC-02 Republican nominee? on prediction markets.
Candidate Overview
Key details about the candidate’s background, party, office sought and current campaign.
Current roleU.S. Representative
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
Age79 years old (Jul 31, 1947)
GenderMale
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LocationSouth Carolina
BackgroundAttorney
EducationWashington and Lee University (B.A.), 1969
Notable personal detailsAddison Graves "Joe" Wilson Sr. is a Republican attorney and U.S. Representative for South Carolina's 2nd Congressional District, first elected in a December 18, 2001 special election. He previously served in the South Carolina State Senate (1984–2001) and worked in federal roles including at the U.S. Department of Energy and on Capitol Hill. He earned a B.A. from Washington and Lee University and a J.D. from the University of South Carolina. He served in the U.S. Army Reserve and the South Carolina Army National Guard.
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Political Positions
Economy & Taxes
Supports and celebrates major tax cuts (including the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act) and favors making individual and business tax reductions permanent while promoting pro-growth tax policy and reduced federal tax burden. Positions emphasize tax relief for families and businesses and limiting tax increases.
Healthcare
Opposes the Affordable Care Act and has supported legislation to repeal it; favors limiting federal expansion of health programs and protecting Medicare as a defined program for seniors rather than expanding government-run coverage. Emphasizes lower costs, market-based reforms, and protecting seniors’ existing benefits.
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Immigration & Border
Supports stronger border security and stricter enforcement of existing immigration laws, opposes amnesty for undocumented immigrants, and has backed legislation and actions to increase removal of criminal aliens and expand enforcement resources. Emphasizes protecting the border from illegal crossings and has visited the southern border to highlight enforcement concerns.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports significant restrictions on abortion and identifies as pro-life, backing federal limits such as waiting-period requirements and gestational bans while opposing expanded abortion funding and access.
Climate & Energy
Supports an "all-of-the-above" energy approach emphasizing nuclear power and energy independence, has opposed major federal emissions regulations and signed pledges opposing climate-related taxes, and favors market-driven solutions over aggressive regulatory intervention.
Public Safety & Guns
Supports broad Second Amendment rights, has opposed bans on semi-automatic firearms and opposed expanded federal background-check mandates, and has backed concealed-carry reciprocity and pro-gun positions. Receives high ratings/endorsements from the NRA and has voted against federal gun-control measures.
Latest News
Joe Wilson is in the news because South Carolina lawmakers are preparing to redraw the state’s congressional map ahead of the midterms, and the effort could affect his House district. Reports say Republicans are considering a mid-decade redraw that could reshape several races and possibly target the state’s only Democratic-held seat. The plan is still pending, but it could force changes to primary timing and reopen candidate filing if adopted.
Louisiana senate passes new U.S. House map that would eliminate majority-Black district
Louisiana senators take up new House map while SC plans redistricting
SC congressional redistricting could elect more Democrats
Republicans building an advantage in redistricting, but how much?
Campaign Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Campaign finance totals from the latest available reporting period.
2022
2024
2026
LatestCycle 2022
Cycle 2024
Cycle 2026
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Polls
- Endorsements