David S. Wilson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids David S. Wilson
Wilson in 2020
Member of the Alaska Senate
In office January 17, 2017 – January 21, 2025
Preceded by	Charlie Huggins
Succeeded by	Robert Yundt
Constituency	D (2017-23) N (2023-25)
Personal details
Born	David Sylvester Wilson 1981 (age 43–44) California
Nationality	American
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Aleta
Residence	Wasilla, Alaska
Alma mater	Alaska Pacific University

David Sylvester Wilson (born in 1981) is an American politician from Alaska. He is a member of the Republican Party. From 2017 to 2025, David Wilson represented the city of Wasilla in the Alaska Senate. Before becoming a senator, he served as a city councilman in Wasilla.

Wilson was elected to the Senate when he was 35 years old. He won a close election against Representative Lynn Gattis in August 2016. He took the place of Senator Charlie Huggins, who was retiring. Wilson was supported by a group of conservative Republicans. He had only joined the Republican Party less than a year before his election win.

When he officially started his job on January 17, 2017, Wilson made history. He became the first African American elected to the Senate from Alaska's Matanuska-Susitna Valley. He is the eighth African American to serve in the Alaska Legislature. Among these eight, he is the third Republican and the second senator. He is also the first Republican senator and the first to represent an area outside of Anchorage or Fairbanks.

In 2024, Wilson was chosen to be part of the Future Caucus Innovation Fellowship. This program helps leaders work together on new ideas, especially in healthcare.

What is a Politician?

A politician is a person who works in government. They are elected by people to make decisions and create laws. These laws help run a city, state, or country. Politicians often belong to a political party, like the Republican Party.

Laws David Wilson Helped Pass

Senator Wilson has helped pass new laws every year he was in office. Here are some examples of the important laws he supported:

• SB 46 (2017): This law created "African American Soldiers' Contribution to Building the Alaska Highway Day." This day, October 25, honors the African American soldiers who helped build the Alaska Highway.
• SB 134 (2018) and SB 134 (2020): These laws helped people get medical help from professional counselors. This means more people could get support for their mental health.
• SB 55 (2019): This law made changes about judges in the court of appeals.
• SB 25 (2019): This law extended the time for the Board of Dental Examiners. This board makes sure dentists are properly trained.
• SB 43 (2019): This law extended the time for the Board of Barbers and Hairdressers. It also made rules about who can get licenses for hunting guides.
• SB 24 (2021): This law made it easier for companies to hold meetings online. It also allowed people to vote remotely at these meetings.

Personal Life

David Wilson was born in California. He grew up in a Christian family. He went to Alaska Pacific University and studied psychology. While at college, he met his wife, Aleta.

See also

• Black conservatism in the United States
• List of African-American Republicans
• List of first African-American U.S. state legislators