David S. Wilson (original) (raw)

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American politician

This article is about the politician. For the biologist, see David Sloan Wilson.

David S. Wilson
Wilson in 2020
Member of the Alaska Senate
In officeJanuary 17, 2017 – January 21, 2025
Preceded by Charlie Huggins
Succeeded by Robert Yundt
Constituency D (2017–2023)N (2023–2025)
Personal details
Born David Sylvester Wilson1981 (age 43–44)California
Nationality American
Political party Republican
Spouse Aleta
Residence Wasilla, Alaska
Alma mater Alaska Pacific University

David Sylvester Wilson (born 1981) is an American politician from Alaska. A Republican, Wilson represented Wasilla in the Alaska Senate from 2017 to 2025. He formerly served as a city councilman in Wasilla.[1]

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.

In 2024, Wilson was selected to join the Future Caucus Innovation Fellowship as a member of the Healthcare cohort.[3][4]

Legislative accomplishments

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Senator Wilson has sponsored successful legislation every year he has been in office to date.[5]This legislation includes:

On May 2, 2017, Wilson allegedly slapped Nathaniel Herz of the Alaska Dispatch News during an encounter in the Alaska State Capitol in Juneau. The event was recorded by Herz's smartphone as the reporter was questioning Wilson on his reaction to a recent article about a bill proposed by Wilson. Herz filed a police report that day.[6]

On December 12, 2017, the Alaska Office of Special Prosecutions declined to pursue charges against Wilson for a May incident in which he allegedly slapped Anchorage Daily News reporter Nathaniel Herz. In a letter Tuesday to Juneau police, Chief Assistant Attorney General Andrew Peterson wrote that it is unlikely the state will be able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Wilson acted with the specific intent to harass or annoy Herz, the standard for determining harassment in the second degree.[7]

Wilson was cleared of sexual harassment claims by a female legislative aide who claimed he placed a cell phone near her legs. He was, however, found responsible for retaliatory actions against the person who made the complaint by talking about it. Senate President Pete Kelly ordered that Wilson be given a probationary period, during which he would be restricted in travel, demonstrate he knows proper decorum and understands retaliation.[8]

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.

  1. ^ a b Lockyer, Ellen (August 18, 2016). "Wilson upsets Gattis for state Senate seat". Alaska Public Media. Retrieved January 17, 2017.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ "NEWS: Senator Wilson and Senator Tobin Selected for the National Innovation Fellowship". Alaska Senate Majority. Retrieved July 15, 2025.
  4. ^ "31 YOUNG LAWMAKERS SELECTED FOR NATIONAL INNOVATION FELLOWSHIP". Future Caucus. January 17, 2024. Retrieved July 15, 2025.
  5. ^ "Alaska State Legislature".
  6. ^ "Alaska Dispatch News reporter slapped by Wasilla lawmaker". Alaska Dispatch News. Retrieved October 23, 2017.
  7. ^ Kitchenman, Andrew (December 12, 2017). "State prosecutor decides not to charge Sen. Wilson in reporter slapping". Alaska Public Media.
  8. ^ Bohrer, Becky (January 31, 2018). "Alaska senator disciplined after retaliation finding". apnews.com.