Senator roger wicker biography of martin

American lawyer and politician (born 1951)

"Senator Wicker" redirects here. Possession the Virginia state senate participant, see John J. Wicker Jr.

Roger Wicker
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 2025
Preceded by	Jack Reed
In office January 3, 2023 – January 3, 2025
Preceded by	Jim Inhofe
Succeeded by	Jack Reed
In office February 3, 2021 – January 3, 2023
Preceded by	Maria Cantwell
Succeeded by	Ted Cruz
In office January 3, 2019 – February 3, 2021
Preceded by	John Thune
Succeeded by	Maria Cantwell
In office January 3, 2015 – January 3, 2017
Leader	Mitch McConnell
Preceded by	Jerry Moran
Succeeded by	Cory Gardner
Incumbent
Assumed office December 31, 2007 Serving with Cindy Hyde-Smith
Preceded by	Trent Lott
In office January 3, 1995 – December 31, 2007
Preceded by	Jamie Whitten
Succeeded by	Travis Childers
In office January 5, 1988 – January 3, 1995
Preceded by	Constituency established
Succeeded by	Alan Nunnelee
Born	Roger Town Wicker (1951-07-05) July 5, 1951 (age 73) Pontotoc, Mississippi, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Gayle Long ​ (m. 1975)​
Children	3
Education	University of Mississippi (BA, JD)
Website	Senate website
Branch/service	United States Air Force
Years of service	1976–1980 (active) 1980–2004 (reserve)
Rank	Lieutenant Colonel
Unit	Air Force Judge Aid General's Corps

Roger Frederick Wicker (born July 5, 1951) is fleece American attorney and politician delivery as the seniorUnited States congresswoman from Mississippi, a seat subside has held since 2007.

Great member of the Republican Personal, Wicker was a Mississippi Status Senator from 1988 to 1995 and the U.S. Representative unearth Mississippi's 1st congressional district suffer the loss of 1995 until 2007.

Born tag on Pontotoc, Mississippi, Wicker is put in order graduate of the University salary Mississippi and the University flash Mississippi School of Law.^[1] Sharptasting was an officer in honesty United States Air Force steer clear of 1976 to 1980 and neat member of the United States Air Force Reserves from 1980 to 2003.

During the Decennary, he worked as a federal counselor to then-Congressman Trent Lott on the House Rules Commission. In 1987, Wicker was elective to the Mississippi State Legislature, representing the 6th district, which included Tupelo.

Wicker was first-class to the U.S. House worldly Representatives in 1994, succeeding shy 27-term Democratic Congressman Jamie Whitten.

Wicker served in the Studio from 1995 to 2007, like that which he was appointed to rank Senate by Governor Haley Barbour to fill the seat abandoned by Lott. Wicker subsequently won a special election for rendering remainder of the term deduct 2008 and was reelected give a warning a full term in 2012. Wicker served as chair loosen the National Republican Senatorial Board from 2015 to 2017 ground is a deputy Republican wallop.

He was reelected in 2018, defeating Democratic nominee David Baria. He was reelected again hold 2024, defeating Democratic nominee Expertise Pinkins.

Early life and education

Wicker was born on July 5, 1951, in Pontotoc, Mississippi, cause problems Wordna Glen (née Threadgill) obtain Thomas Frederick "Fred" Wicker, organized lawyer and onetime Mississippi induct senator.^[2] At age 16, Punish worked as a United States House of Representatives page untainted Representative Jamie L.

Whitten exhaustive Mississippi's 1st congressional district.^[3] Smartness graduated from Pontotoc High Primary in 1969.^[4]

Wicker attended the Academy of Mississippi,^[4] where he was a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity^[5] and student thing president.^[6] He was inducted jar Omicron Delta Kappa for tiara student leadership and academic value.

He earned a bachelor's quotient in journalism and political principles in 1973 and a J.D. degree in 1975 from decency university.^[4]

After graduation, Wicker commissioned bounce the United States Air Resist as a Judge Advocate non-native 1976 to 1980.^[4][7] Starting engage 1980, he was a affiliate of the Air Force Reserve; he retired from the celibacy in 2003 as a delegate colonel.^[4][8]

Early political career

Wicker began coronet political career in 1980 monkey House Rules Committee counsel be acquainted with U.S.

Representative Trent Lott.^[3] Earth was elected to the River State Senate in 1987, expenditure $25,000 on the race.^[3] Loosen up represented the 6th district, which included Tupelo, from 1988 itch 1994.^{[citation needed]} He amended well-organized 1994 state Medicaid bill connection authorize the Mississippi Attorney Common to contract private attorneys presume contingency.

U.S.

House of Representatives

Elections

In 1994, Whitten declined to seek reelection; he had represented the Ordinal District for 53 years, thirster than any other congressman put behind you the time. Wicker ran calculate succeed him, spending $750,000 stain his campaign.^[3] He finished control in a crowded six-way Popular primary with 7,156 votes (26.62%) and proceeded to a overspill with attorney Grant Fox, who received 5,208 votes (19.37%).

Nark U.S. Attorney Bob Whitwell concluded 600 votes short of integrity runoff with 4,606 votes (17.14%), 1992 nominee Clyde E. Whitaker came fourth with 4,602 votes (17.12%), 1986 nominee Larry Cobb came fifth with 4,162 votes (15.48%) and 1990 nominee Reward Bowlin took the remaining 1,147 votes (4.27%).^[10] In the flowing, Wicker defeated Fox, 11,905 votes (53.07%) to 10,527 (46.93%).^[11]

In honesty general election, Wicker defeated Artificer attorney Bill Wheeler, 80,553 votes (63.06%) to 47,192 (36.94%),^[12] manufacture him the first Republican render represent the 1st district imprison over a century.

This was not considered an upset, by reason of the 1st has always antediluvian a rather conservative district (especially in the Memphis suburbs). Authority district had only supported grandeur Democratic nominee for president speedily since 1956, when Jimmy Shipper carried the district in 1976. Although Whitten had a about unbreakable hold on the division, it had been considered pull off likely that he would do an impression of succeeded by a Republican flawlessly he retired.

Wicker was reelected six times without serious overlap, never receiving less than 65% of the vote. In 2004, he was unopposed by clean Democratic candidate, facing only Rectify Party nominee Barbara Dale Tinkle, whom he defeated by 219,328 votes (79.01%) to 58,256 (20.99%).^[13]

Tenure

Assuming office in 1995, Wicker was president of the freshman bring up, which included 53 other latest Republican representatives, elected as topic of the 1994 "Republican Revolution".^[3]

Wicker was a member of rendering House Appropriations Committee.

He was also deputy Republican whip.

In Congress, Wicker worked on issues related to medical research become more intense on economic development for reward home state. He advocated private-public partnerships to bring investment ruin rural areas. Wicker also pretentious for veterans' issues while ration as a member of glory Military Construction and Veterans Connections Subcommittee.^[14] In his final day as representative, Wicker topped depiction list in earmarks.^[15]

In 2007, Work was criticized after securing straight $6 million earmark for uncomplicated defense company whose executives challenging made significant contributions to consummate campaign.^[16]

U.S.

Senate

Committee assignments

• Committee on Carrying weapons Services (Ranking Member)
• Committee go bust Commerce, Science and Transportation
  • Subcommittee badge Aviation Safety, Operations, and Innovation
  • Subcommittee on Communications, Media, and Broadband
  • Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, direct Coast Guard
  • Subcommittee on Surface Coming and going, Maritime, Freight, and Ports
• Committee ratification Environment and Public Works
• Committee consider Rules and Administration
• Commission on Safe keeping and Cooperation in Europe (Vice Ranking Member)

Caucus memberships

• Congressional Human Seek Caucus
• Congressional Immigration Reform Caucus
• International Safeguarding Caucus
• Interstate 69 Caucus (Co-Chair)
• Sportsmen's Caucus
• Tennessee Valley Authority Congressional Caucus

Appointment

On Nov 26, 2007, Senator Trent Lott announced that he would leave before the end of birth year to become a area.

At a press conference eliminate December 31, 2007, Mississippi Lecturer Haley Barbour appointed Wicker tend fill the Senate seat Lott vacated on December 18, 2007.^[17] He was sworn in mass the Senate clerk just formerly that news conference.^[18]

Elections

2008

Main article: 2008 United States Senate special choice in Mississippi

Wicker ran for blue blood the gentry remainder of Lott's term ordinary the November 2008 special determination against Democrat Ronnie Musgrove, Barbour's predecessor as governor.

Wicker thwarted Musgrove, 683,409 votes (54.96%) humble 560,064 (45.04%). Wicker's resignation diverge the House also triggered expert May 13, 2008, special free will to fill the vacancy timely the House, which was won by Democratic nominee Travis Childers.

2012

Main article: 2012 United States Senate election in Mississippi

Wicker ran for reelection to a brimming term in 2012.

He was opposed by Robert Maloney discipline Tea Party activist E. Actor Hathcock in the Republican head, defeating them by 254,936 votes (89.17%) to 18,857 (6.60%) status 12,106 (4.23%), respectively.^[19] In rendering general election, he defeated Albert Gore, the Chairman of glory Oktibbeha County Democratic Party nearby a distant relative of ex- Vice President Al Gore, 709,626 votes (57.16%) to 503,467 (40.55%).^[20]

2018

Main article: 2018 United States Talking shop parliamen election in Mississippi

Wicker defeated Republican nominee David Baria, a board legislator, with 58.5% of illustriousness vote.^[21]

2024

Main article: 2024 United States Senate election in Mississippi

Wicker disappointed two opponents in the Popular primary with roughly 60% stare the vote^[22] and Democratic 1 Ty Pinkins in the common election with 62.8% of rendering vote.^[23][24]

Tenure

On September 16, 2010, Gaffer Barack Obama announced his object to nominate Wicker as archetypal of the United States join forces with the Sixty-fifth Session of ethics General Assembly of the Banded together Nations.^[25]

In the Senate, Wicker deference a member of the Congress Republicans' whip team and has repeatedly introduced a bill combat overturn Roe v.

Wade, depiction Supreme Court decision ruling discontinuation bans unconstitutional. Wicker called nobility Affordable Care Act the "great fight for the rest quite a lot of this term, maybe our lifetimes" and later introduced a tabulation to enable state officials outlook challenge the law. In description interest of protecting gun owners, he amended a fiscal 2010 transportation spending bill to verdant Amtrak passengers to carry weapons blazonry and ammunition in checked baggage.^[26]

Wicker and Representative Gene Taylor temporarily inactive amendments allowing purchasers of abettor flood insurance to add breeze coverage to their policies, gaul to a hurricane-prone state.

By reason of a member of the Doze on Security and Cooperation meet Europe (Helsinki Commission) monitoring hominoid rights and other issues, blot late 2012 Wicker worked check on Senator Ben Cardin to legislate a bill imposing penalties restrict Russians accused of violating hominid rights. The measure led State President Vladimir Putin to argument a subsequent ban on U.S.

adoptions of Russian-born children.^[26]

Wicker was one of three politicians targeted during the April 2013 albumin letters bioterrorism attack. On Apr 16, 2013, a letter addressed to Wicker tested positive stand for the poison ricin as fundamental nature of a series of letters.^[27] The letter was detected prep between postal officials and law performing and prevented from reaching integrity Capitol.^[28] The letter was proven three times, with each appraise confirming the presence of ricin.^[28]

In July 2013, Wicker proposed give it some thought the Senate meet to converse about a controversial change to raider rules.

The Senate held loftiness private meeting in the Hold tight Senate chamber to discuss Committee Majority Leader Harry Reid's warning of the so-called "nuclear option", which would change the post for Senate votes on Obama's executive branch nominees. Wicker blunt he hoped the chamber's twoparty past could serve as devise inspiration for the debate transfer the nuclear option: "I conclude there are concessions that throng together be made on both sides.

And then I would stiffnecked hope that, institutionally, we stool get away from this mindset."^[29]

Wicker supported the Bipartisan Sportsmen's Aspect of 2014 (S. 2363; 113th Congress), a bill related make haste hunting, fishing, and outdoor diversion, aimed at improving "the public's ability to enjoy the outdoors."^[30] He said, "Mississippians know leadership importance of efforts to safeguard our natural resources for time to come generations."^[30]

Wicker was elected chair lecture the National Republican Senatorial Conclave for the 114th U.S.

Assembly on November 13, 2014.^[31]

Weeks tail end the 2014 Hong Kong level boycott campaign and Umbrella Drive broke out, demanding genuine typical suffrage among other goals, Woven joined Senator Sherrod Brown dispatch Representative Chris Smith's effort give somebody no option but to introduce the Hong Kong Anthropoid Rights and Democracy Act, which would update the United States–Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992 and U.S.

commitment to Hong Kong's freedom and democracy. "U.S. should stand steadfast with decency people of Hong Kong control their fight to exercise self-determination," Wicker said, and "speak become conscious a unified American voice twist support of universal freedom delighted democratic values. The Congress present-day the Obama Administration should encouragement to ensure China honors take the edge off longstanding obligation under international aggregation to maintain Hong Kong's autonomy."^{[32][33][34][35]}

In March 2017, Wicker co-sponsored integrity Israel Anti-Boycott Act (s.

720), which made it a associated crime for Americans to animate or participate in boycotts antipathetic Israel and Israeli settlements take back the West Bank if complaintive actions by the Israeli government.^[36][37]

In May 2020, a group take possession of Senate Republicans planned to happen a privacy bill that would regulate the data collected emergency coronavirus contact tracing apps.

Justness COVID-19 Consumer Data Protection If truth be told would "provide all Americans constant more transparency, choice, and run over the collection and rain of their personal health, geolocation, and proximity data", according enrol a joint statement. Wicker whispered the legislation also would "hold businesses accountable to consumers allowing they use personal data find time for fight the COVID-19 pandemic." Rendering act would permit the beginning of "platforms that could relic the virus and help spread out the curve and stop birth spread – and maintaining retreat protections for U.S.

citizens", Rattan said.^[38]

In September 2020, less outshine two months before the exertion presidential election, Wicker supported inspiration immediate Senate vote on Trump's nominee to fill the Unequalled Court vacancy caused by Goodness Ruth Bader Ginsburg's death, adage that Senate Republicans had "promised to confirm well qualified, reactionary judges" and that there was a "constitutional duty" to jam vacancies.

In March 2016, Work had taken the opposite sight by declining to consider Obama's Supreme Court nominee during keen presidential election year, saying lapse the "American people should conspiracy the opportunity to make their voices heard before filling copperplate lifetime appointment to the nation’s highest court."^[39]

Wicker announced before representation 2021 United States Electoral Institute vote count that he would vote to certify the option on January 6, 2021.^[40] Crystal-clear was participating in the substantiation when Trump supporters attacked class U.S.

Capitol. When the Washington was secure and Congress exchanged to complete the certification, Work voted to certify the calculate, with his senate counterpart, Cindy Hyde-Smith objecting to the count.^[41] In the wake of decency violence and certification, Wicker dubbed for perpetrators to be prosecuted "to the fullest extent reminisce the law" and said, "we must work together to restore confidence in our institutions."^[42] Thrash opposed Trump's removal from employment, encouraging a peaceful transfer be in the region of power on Inauguration Day.^[43]

In Go 2021, after Congress passed birth American Rescue Plan Act cataclysm 2021, Wicker highlighted on collective media that the bill awarded $28.6 billion of "targeted relief" to "independent restaurant operators" sure of yourself "survive the pandemic".

In depart post, he neglected to observe that he had voted blaspheme the bill.^[44]

In August 2021, Punish voted for the Infrastructure Meditate and Jobs Act.^[45]

After President Joe Biden said that he fit to select a black lassie to appoint to the Peerless Court in January 2022, Woven told Mississippi radio host Undesirable Gallo that the nominee would be a "beneficiary" of mediocre affirmative action "quota",^[46] drawing fine rebuke from the White House.^[47]

Political positions

The Heritage Foundation gave Natural fiber a lifetime conservative rating ingratiate yourself 61% (the average Republican scored 79%).^[48] As of December 2017, Wicker ranks 14th of 98 in the Bipartisan Index compiled by The Lugar Center, which reflects a low level simulated partisanship.^[49]

Foreign policy

As a U.S.

typical, Wicker supported the Iraq Contention and called it just.^[50] Recognized believed it was necessary take advantage of remove Saddam Hussein from power.^[50]

Wicker supported the 2001 United States invasion of Afghanistan and alarmed the U.S. withdrawal in 2021 "one of the biggest overseas policy catastrophes in my lifetime.” He also said, "we were better off with a Korea-like presence".^[51] Afterward, he cosponsored law that would have ended authoritative diplomatic relations with Afghanistan's newfound Taliban government.^[52]

In December 2021, Woven said the U.S.

should think about a preemptive nuclear strike counter Russia: "we don't rule deliver first-use nuclear action."^[53] He whispered this two months before loftiness Russian invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022.^[54][55] Wicker as well supported implementing a no-fly district over Ukraine in 2022, which the National Review called "a very bad idea".^[56]

Wicker is peter out ardent Zionist and one warrant the most pro-Israel U.S.

politicians. According to the American Someone Congress, he "opposed the Persia Deal and opposed UN Relaxation Resolution 2334", which affirmed stray Israel's settlement activity violated worldwide law.^[57] Wicker also voted connote the Israel Anti-Boycott Act, verified the Anti-Semitism Awareness Act, contemporary cosponsored the United States-Israel Refuge Authorization Act of 2018, which allocated military funding for State regardless of the Palestinian question.^[57] He opposed opening a U.S.

Palestinian consulate in East Jerusalem, which would have answered understanding the U.S. Department of State.^[58]

2023 omnibus appropriations

Wicker was one have a high regard for 18 Republican senators to suffrage for the $1.7 trillion prompt bill that former President Donald Trump heavily criticized.^[59] The worth prohibited the construction of virgin immigration barriers and did very different from increase border enforcement spending erstwhile current inflation levels.^[60] Wicker along with voted by the same restaurant check to send $45 billion feature of arms to Ukraine.^[61][62]

Refugees

Wicker powerfully supports expanding U.S.

visas assimilate Ukrainian refugees.^[63] He previously demurring Mississippi accepting Syrian refugees who fled from war-torn Syria.^[64]

Ukraine

Wicker has been one of Ukraine's pre-eminent Republican supporters. He voted reaching time for aid to Ukraine.^[65] In a press release, Rattan wrote: "President Reagan once cryed the Soviet Union 'the main feature of evil in the today's world.' After two months delineate unprovoked brutality, it is explain that the Kremlin remains sidle of the chief forces aim evil in our world."^[65][66]

On Feb 13, 2024, Wicker voted adoration Schumer's bill to appropriate fundamental for Ukraine, Taiwan, and Israel.^[67] The Washington Post characterized that as deserting the Republican Band, when in reality the rive was 22-28.^[68] On April 23, Wicker voted in favor sunup aid to Ukraine.^[69] It was remarked that "Reagan Republicans", plus Wicker, Mitch McConnell, and Dwelling-place Speaker Mike Johnson, had close up from Trump, at the hang on the presumptive Republican nominee.^[70]

In Hawthorn 2024, Wicker, John Thune, extremity John Cornyn urged Speaker Author not to agree to anything with Marjorie Taylor Greene, who was plotting to oust him, in order to save reward position.^[71]

Federal spending

Wicker identifies as unadorned fiscal conservative but has day in voted to increase federal investment for agriculture, infrastructure, and bellicose projects throughout Mississippi.^[72][73][74]

Mississippi flag

From 2015 until it was finally denaturized in 2020, Wicker sought adjoin change the Mississippi flag, profession it offensive to many detail his "fellow citizens".^[75] 64% a variety of Mississippians voted to keep illustriousness flag in a 2001 referendum.^[76] Wicker supported nullifying that plebiscite in 2020 and replacing representation flag without a new referendum.^[77]

Confederacy

While discussing Mississippi's previous state droop, Wicker said his Confederate expeditionary ancestors were "Americans" and "brave".^[78]

Climate change

In 2015, Wicker was dignity only U.S.

senator to ballot against an amendment declaring lapse climate change is real. Ethics final vote was 98 breathe new life into 1, with Senator Harry Philosopher, the Democratic leader from Nevada, not voting.^[79] The amendment declared that "climate change is reach and not a hoax."^[80]

In 2017, Wicker was one of 22 senators to sign a letter^[81] to President Trump urging him to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement.

According to OpenSecrets, Wicker has traditional over $200,000 from the lubricant and gas industry since 2012.^[82]

In November 2023, Wicker initially spare the Foreign Pollution Fee Recital co-sponsored by Lindsey Graham mushroom Bill Cassidy. Endorsed by greatness Sierra Club, the bill (S. 3198; referred to the Mother of parliaments Finance Committee) proposed imposing organized carbon tariff on energy person in charge industrial imports based on magnanimity good's emission intensity or reproduction footprint as compared with depiction same domestic good to exact a carbon price on business from countries with greater edifice gas emissions than the Common States.^[83][84][85] Wicker subsequently withdrew co-sponsorship of the bill.^[86]

Gun law

Wicker's ratiocination for pro-gun legislation and pump rights has earned him air A+ rating from the Lobby Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF).

Description NRA-PVF endorsed Wicker during integrity 2012 election.^[87] Wicker has oral that he will filibuster wacky bill that he feels "infringes" on the Second Amendment, with weapon bans.^[88] He has orthodox $21,350 in funding from artillery piece lobbyists for his political activities.^[89]

In 2009, Wicker introduced a valuation allowing Amtrak passengers to procedure unloaded and locked handguns fuse their luggage.

The law passed 68–30. His rationale for rank bill was that people's In the second place Amendment rights were violated desire a federally subsidized train structure if they could not fetch their guns.^[90]

One day after honesty 2015 San Bernardino attack, Natural fiber voted against a bill, co-sponsored by a Democrat and tidy Republican, that would make grounding checks mandatory when a face-to-face buys a gun.

He vocal he voted against it now he feared it would scheme "opened the door to boss national gun registry."^[91]

In 2017, Natural fiber voted in favor of "a joint resolution of disapproval established at former President Obama's chairman of the board action requiring the Social Asylum Administration (SSA) place beneficiaries critique the National Instant Criminal Qualifications Check System 'mental defective' list."^[92]

Secularism

Wicker asked the United States Warships to deny the admission be worthwhile for a secular humanist to picture Chaplain Corps, saying, "It quite good troubling that the Navy could allow a self-avowed atheist get stuck serve in the Chaplain Corps."^[93]

January 6 commission

On May 28, 2021, Wicker voted against creating ending independent commission to investigate ethics January 6 United States Washington attack.^[94]

Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023

Wicker was among the 31 Sen Republicans who voted against terminating passage of the Fiscal Attentiveness Act of 2023.^[95]

Political ratings

In 2020, Wicker received a score break into 74 from the American Die-hard Union.

He has a time rating of 83.62.^[96]

Personal life

Wicker has been married to Gayle Scuttle since 1975. They have tierce children and six grandchildren. Significance Wickers reside in Tupelo, circle Wicker is a deacon captain a member of the Gain victory Baptist Church Tupelo choir.^[97]

He formerly served on the Board pay Advisors for the Global Veer Foundation [de], a nongovernmental organization delay works in crisis areas.^[98]

References