Political Campaigns
Wilson was elected in 2001 in a special election caused by the death of Floyd Spence, his former boss. Wilson once said that a dying Spence called him from his hospital bed and asked him to run. He won a crowded five-way primary with 75 percent of the vote, and prevailed in the December 18 special election with 73 percent of the vote.
Wilson was mentioned as a possible candidate for retiring Senator Fritz Hollings' seat in 2004, but he decided to run for a second full term and beat his opponents, Democrat Michael Ray Ellisor and Constitution Party nominee Steve Lefemine, with 65 percent of the vote. Wilson won election to a full term in 2002 with 84 percent of the vote, facing only four minor-party candidates.
Read more about this topic: Joe Wilson (U.S. Politician)
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