Joe Wilson's Financial Backers Hail from Health Care Industry

Addison Graves Wilson, Sr., known as Joe Wilson, Republican Representative from South Carolina, District 2, shouted "You lie!" at President Obama during a speech to Congress about changes to the American health care system. A close examination of Mr. Wilson's campaign finances shows where his allegiance is rooted-the health industry. Mr. Wilson has collected 57 percent of his 2010 campaign funds from health and medical Political Action Committees (PACs) and additional funds from individuals associated with the health industry. Mr. Wilson's current total is $103,903 compared to his Democratic opponent Rob Miller's efforts of $24,094, according Congressional Research Center's (CRC) figures recorded prior to the president's address.

A detailed breakdown of Mr. Wilson's 2009-2010 campaign funding provides insight for his outburst against changes in American health care. The CRP's "Top 20 Industries contributing to Campaign" list show Wilson has taken $19,000 from "Health Professionals" for the race next year. Hospitals and nursing homes contributed $9,000, Pharmaceuticals and Health Products added $5,000 to Wilson's election funds, and "Lobbyists" contributed $9,701 to the campaign. Insurance companies put up $4,750 for the next race.

Mr. Wilson proudly cites his campaign funding from private individuals, but as the CRP points out, the majority of private contributions for the 2010 race were from individuals associated with the health industry. The CRP examined the individual contributions donating more than $200 to the Wilson Campaign and categorized the occupations and employers for each individual. (Federal election law requires this information be listed when the donation is made.)

The CRP states under the "Methodology" statement on the organization website that: "These totals are conservative, as not all of the individual contributions have yet been classified by the Center." Additional research is required to determine the industry affiliation of the individuals making contributions under $200.

Political Action Committee (PAC) money from health care donations also tops the Wilson 2010 new campaign contributions. Funds provided by PACs are listed separately from individual or industry money. Health care interests may provide funding under any one or all three funding categories. Separating the contribution monies according to industry affiliation, Mr. Wilson's highest individual contributors for the next election were "Health," then "Finance, Insurance & Real Estate," using the CRP statistical tables.

Representative Joe Wilson is not a new face to health industry donations. The CRP reports Mr. Wilson received $244,196 from "Health Care Professionals" over his political career. His total fund raising amount is listed as $4,664,766 by the CRP, with nearly $1,660,588 coming from PAC Contributions. A closer look at his campaign funds also includes: $86,150 from "Pharmaceuticals/Health Products," $73,050 from the "Insurance Industry" and $68,000 from "Hospitals/Nursing Homes." Mr. Wilson has received more than a majority of his lifetime contributions from the health industry and related businesses. Campaigning for the 2010 congressional race is just beginning. The 2008 race was won by Wilson with only a small majority, even though he outspent his opponent nearly 2-to-1, according to Project Vote Smart, an independent, non-profit voting information service.

Sources:
Carl Hulse, "In Lawmaker's Outburst, a Rare Breach or Protocol,"
New York Times, Sept. 9, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/10/us/politics/10wilson.html

Center for Responsive Politics: Congressman Joe Wilson
http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/industries.php?cycle=Career&cid=N00024809&type=I

Project Vote Smart: Addison Graves 'Joe' Wilson, Sr. Issue Positions
http://www.votesmart.org/npat.php?can_id=3985?q=print