Roger Wicker facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Roger Wicker
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Official portrait, 2018
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| Chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2025 |
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| Preceded by | Jack Reed |
| Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee | |
| In office January 3, 2023 – January 3, 2025 |
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| Preceded by | Jim Inhofe |
| Succeeded by | Jack Reed |
| Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce Committee | |
| In office February 3, 2021 – January 3, 2023 |
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| Preceded by | Maria Cantwell |
| Succeeded by | Ted Cruz |
| Chair of the Senate Commerce Committee | |
| In office January 3, 2019 – February 3, 2021 |
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| Preceded by | John Thune |
| Succeeded by | Maria Cantwell |
| Chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee | |
| In office January 3, 2015 – January 3, 2017 |
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| Leader | Mitch McConnell |
| Preceded by | Jerry Moran |
| Succeeded by | Cory Gardner |
| United States Senator from Mississippi |
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| Assumed office December 31, 2007 Serving with Cindy Hyde-Smith
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| Preceded by | Trent Lott |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Mississippi's 1st district |
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| In office January 3, 1995 – December 31, 2007 |
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| Preceded by | Jamie Whitten |
| Succeeded by | Travis Childers |
| Member of the Mississippi Senate from the 6th district |
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| In office January 5, 1988 – January 3, 1995 |
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| Preceded by | Constituency established |
| Succeeded by | Alan Nunnelee |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Roger Frederick Wicker
July 5, 1951 Pontotoc, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Gayle Long
(m. 1975) |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | University of Mississippi (BA, JD) |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | United States Air Force |
| Years of service |
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| Rank | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Unit | Air Force Judge Advocate General's Corps |
Roger Frederick Wicker (born July 5, 1951) is an American politician and lawyer. He is a U.S. Air Force veteran. Since 2007, he has served as the senior U.S. Senator for Mississippi.
Wicker is a member of the Republican Party. Before becoming a senator, he was a Mississippi State Senator from 1988 to 1995. He also served as a U.S. Representative for Mississippi's 1st congressional district from 1995 to 2007.
Roger Wicker was born in Pontotoc, Mississippi. He studied at the University of Mississippi and its law school. He served in the United States Air Force from 1976 to 1980. He was also in the United States Air Force Reserves until 2003.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Roger Wicker was born on July 5, 1951, in Pontotoc, Mississippi. His parents were Wordna Glen and Thomas Frederick Wicker. When he was 16, he worked as a page for Democratic Representative Jamie L. Whitten.
Wicker earned a bachelor's degree in journalism and political science. He also earned a law degree from the University of Mississippi. While there, he was a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity. He was also the student body president.
After college, Wicker became an officer in the United States Air Force. He served from 1976 to 1980. From 1980, he was a member of the Air Force Reserve. He retired in 2003 as a lieutenant colonel. Wicker worked as a judge advocate in the Air Force.
Early Political Career
Wicker started his political career in 1980. He worked as a counsel for the House Rules Committee. This was for U.S. Representative Trent Lott.
In 1987, Wicker was elected to the Mississippi State Senate. He represented the 6th district, which included Tupelo. He served in the state senate from 1988 to 1994.
Serving in the U.S. House of Representatives
Becoming a Representative
In 1994, Representative Jamie Whitten decided not to run for reelection. He had served the 1st District for 53 years. Roger Wicker ran to take his place.
Wicker won the Republican primary election. He then won the general election against Bill Wheeler. This made him the first Republican to represent the 1st district in over 100 years. The district was known for being conservative.
Wicker was reelected six times without much trouble. He always received more than 65% of the votes. In 2004, he ran without a Democratic opponent.
What He Did in the House
Wicker became a representative in 1995. He was president of the new group of 53 Republican representatives. This group was elected during the "1994 Republican Revolution".
He was a member of the House Appropriations Committee. He also served as a deputy Republican whip.
In Congress, Wicker focused on medical research and economic growth for Mississippi. He worked to bring investments to rural areas. Wicker also helped veterans as a member of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee.
Serving in the U.S. Senate
How He Became a Senator
On November 26, 2007, Senator Trent Lott announced he would resign. Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour then chose Wicker to fill the Senate seat. Wicker was sworn in on December 31, 2007.
Senate Elections
In 2008, Wicker ran for the rest of Lott's term. He won against Democrat Ronnie Musgrove.
In 2012, Wicker ran for a full term. He won the Republican primary easily. In the general election, he defeated Albert Gore.
Wicker was reelected in 2018. He won against Democratic candidate David Baria. He was reelected again in 2024, defeating Ty Pinkins.
What He Does in the Senate
Wicker serves on several important committees. These include the Armed Services Committee, where he is the chairman. He is also on the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. Other committees include Environment and Public Works, and Rules.
In 2010, President Barack Obama nominated Wicker to represent the U.S. at the United Nations General Assembly.
Wicker has worked on various laws. He supported allowing Amtrak passengers to carry firearms in checked bags. He also worked on a bill to help people in hurricane-prone states get wind coverage for flood insurance.
In 2012, Wicker worked on a bill with Senator Ben Cardin. This bill put penalties on Russians accused of human rights violations.
In 2013, a letter addressed to Wicker tested positive for the poison ricin. Postal officials stopped the letter before it reached the Capitol.
Wicker supported the Bipartisan Sportsmen's Act of 2014 (S. 2363; 113th Congress). This bill aimed to improve hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation. He said it would help preserve natural resources for the future.
In 2014, Wicker became the chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee.
He also supported the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act. This act aimed to support Hong Kong's freedom and democracy. Wicker said the U.S. should stand with the people of Hong Kong.
In 2020, Wicker helped plan a privacy bill. This bill would regulate data collected by coronavirus contact tracing apps. He said it would give Americans more control over their personal health data.
In September 2020, Wicker supported a quick Senate vote on a Supreme Court nominee. This was to fill a vacancy after Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's death.
In January 2021, Wicker voted to certify the presidential election results. This happened after the attack on the U.S. Capitol. He called for those responsible to be punished.
In March 2021, Wicker highlighted that a bill provided relief to restaurants. He had voted against the bill. In August 2021, Wicker voted for the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
Political Views
Climate Change
In 2015, Wicker was the only U.S. senator to vote against an amendment. This amendment stated that climate change is real.
In 2017, Wicker was one of 22 senators who asked President Trump to leave the Paris Agreement. This agreement aims to reduce global warming.
Gun Laws
Wicker supports gun rights. He has an "A+" rating from the National Rifle Association (NRA). The NRA supported him in the 2012 election.
He has said he would try to stop any bill he feels would limit the Second Amendment. This includes bans on certain weapons.
In 2009, Wicker introduced a bill. It allowed Amtrak passengers to check unloaded handguns in their luggage. This bill became law.
In 2015, Wicker voted against a bill for mandatory background checks for gun purchases. He worried it could lead to a national gun registry.
2021 Capitol Attack
On May 28, 2021, Wicker voted against creating a special group to investigate the 2021 U.S. Capitol attack.
Personal Life
Wicker has been married to Gayle Long since 1975. They have three children and six grandchildren. The Wickers live in Tupelo. Wicker is a deacon and sings in the choir at the First Baptist Church Tupelo.
Images for kids
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Official photo as U.S. Representative
See also
In Spanish: Roger Wicker para niños
