Addison Graves Wilson Sr., known as Joe Wilson, is an American politician born on July 31, 1947, in Charleston, South Carolina, to parents Wray Graves and Hugh deVeaux Wilson. He graduated from the High School of Charleston, earned a bachelor's degree in political science from Washington and Lee University in 1969, and a Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1972. Wilson began his career as a real estate attorney, founding the West Columbia law firm Kirkland, Wilson, Moore, Taylor & Thomas, where he practiced for over 25 years. His early public service included roles on the staffs of Senator Strom Thurmond and Congressman Floyd Spence, serving as Deputy General Counsel at the U.S. Department of Energy under Secretary Jim Edwards during the Reagan administration, working as a Student Assistant to the U.S. Attorney for South Carolina, and acting as a judge for the Town of Springdale. Involved in Republican politics from a young age, he participated in campaigns starting in 1962.

Wilson served in the U.S. Army Reserve from 1972 to 1975 and then in the South Carolina Army National Guard, retiring as a Colonel and Staff Judge Advocate for the 218th Mechanized Infantry Brigade in 2003 after 31 years of service. Prior to entering Congress, he represented South Carolina's 23rd State Senate district from 1985 to 2001, chairing the Transportation Committee as the first Republican since Reconstruction. Since 2001, he has served as the U.S. Representative for South Carolina's 2nd congressional district. A Republican known for his conservative views, close ties to South Carolina's political establishment, hawkish foreign policy stances, and support for strong national defense, Wilson holds senior positions on the House Armed Services Committee (Subcommittees on Readiness and Strategic Forces), House Foreign Affairs Committee (Middle East and North Africa, Europe subcommittees), and others, including Chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission and Republican Policy Committee National Security Taskforce. He is involved in caucuses such as those for Bulgaria, French, Slovak, Afghanistan, Kurdistan, and Americans Abroad. Notably, he shouted 'You lie!' during President Barack Obama's 2009 address to Congress, leading to a House reprimand.

Wilson is married to Roxanne Dusenbury McCrory; their sons include Alan (Major, SC Army National Guard JAG), Addison (U.S. Naval Academy graduate, Navy physician), Julian (Captain, SC Army National Guard), and Hunter (Second Lieutenant). He maintains an active social media presence, including X/Twitter @RepJoeWilson.