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Heather Ann Wilson (born December 30, 1960) is the 11th President of the University of Texas at El Paso. She previously served as the 24th Secretary of the United States Air Force from 2017 through 2019, as the 12th president of the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology from 2013 to 2017, and as a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives for New Mexico's 1st congressional district from 1998 to 2009. Wilson was the first female military veteran elected to a full term in Congress.[1]

Key Information

While in the U.S. House of Representatives, Wilson served on the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, the Committee on Armed Services,[1] and the Committee on Energy and Commerce.[1] She did not run for re-election in 2008, instead seeking the U.S. Senate seat of retiring senator Pete Domenici; she finished second in the Republican primary to Congressman Steve Pearce.[2] On March 7, 2011, she announced another run for Senate in 2012 to replace retiring senator Jeff Bingaman,[3] but lost the general election to Democrat Martin Heinrich, her successor in the House of Representatives.[4]

In April 2013 she was selected was president of the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology,[5] making her the first female president of the school.[6] President Donald Trump announced on January 23, 2017, that he would nominate Wilson as Secretary of the Air Force.[7] The U.S. Senate confirmed her nomination on May 8, 2017.[8] On March 8, 2019, Wilson announced that she would resign as Secretary, effective May 31, in order to assume the office of President of the University of Texas at El Paso.[9][10] On March 2, 2020, Trump appointed Wilson to the National Science Board.[11]

Early life and education

[edit]

Wilson was born on December 30, 1960, in Keene, New Hampshire, the daughter of Martha Lou, nurse, and George Douglas Wilson, a commercial pilot and member of the Experimental Aircraft Association.[1][12][13] Wilson grew up around aviation and hoped to become a pilot like her father and grandfather before her.[1] Her paternal grandparents were born in Scotland.[14] Her grandfather, George Gordon "Scotty" Wilson, flew for the Royal Air Force in World War I and emigrated to America in 1922 where he was a barnstormer and airport operator in the 1920s and 1930s. He served as a courier pilot during World War II and started the New Hampshire Civil Air Patrol where he was a Wing Commander.[15] Her father started flying at age 13 and enlisted in the United States Air Force after high school.[16]

The United States Air Force Academy began admitting women during Wilson's junior year at Keene High School (Keene, New Hampshire). She applied and was appointed to the Academy.[1] At the Academy, she was the first woman to command basic training and the first woman Vice Wing Commander. At the Academy, she flew gliders and single engine aircraft and qualified for the military parachutist badge.[17] She graduated in 1982 as a Distinguished Graduate (magna cum laude equivalent).[18][19] Wilson earned a Rhodes Scholarship to study at the University of Oxford and continued her education at Jesus College, earning an M.Phil. and D.Phil. in international relations by 1985.[18]

In 1990, Oxford University Press published her book, International Law and the Use of Force by National Liberation Movements,[20] which won the 1988 Paul Reuter Prize for an exceptional contribution to the study of international law by the International Committee of the Red Cross.[21] The Paul Reuter Prize is awarded for a major work in the sphere of international humanitarian law. Wilson won the second Reuter prize ever awarded.[22]

An Air Force officer for seven years, Wilson was a negotiator and political adviser to the U.S. Air Force in the United Kingdom, and a defense planning officer for NATO in Belgium, where her work included arms control negotiations.[23]

Career

[edit]

National Security Council

[edit]

Wilson served in the United States Air Force until 1989 when she was chosen to serve as director for European Defense Policy and Arms Control on the National Security Council staff.[1][24] She worked for Republican president George H. W. Bush.[25] Her principal responsibilities included guiding the U.S. position on the Conventional Forces in Europe (CFE) negotiations and NATO affairs during the period of the fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of the Warsaw Pact.[citation needed]

Keystone International

[edit]

After leaving government in 1991, Wilson founded Keystone International, Inc. in Albuquerque, New Mexico to promote business development in the United States and Russia.[26][27]

Governor Johnson administration

[edit]

In 1995, Governor Gary Johnson appointed Wilson to be Cabinet Secretary of the New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department.[26] During her tenure, Wilson made efforts to reform child welfare laws, modernize the juvenile justice system, and improve early childhood education. The department opened a juvenile work camp and a secure facility for young, non-violent offenders, as well as streamlining the foster care system. She also was an architect and the chief lobbyist for the governor's education agenda, including a law allowing charter schools, annual testing, and more budget authority for local school boards.[28]

U.S. House of Representatives

[edit]
Congressional Photo of Heather Wilson (1998–2009)

Elections

[edit]
1998 special election

Five-term Republican Congressman Steven Schiff declared he would not run for re-election in February 1998 because of his battle with squamous cell carcinoma. Wilson resigned her cabinet post to enter the Republican primary. She won the support of Schiff and U.S. Senator Pete Domenici. Domenici called Wilson "the most brilliantly qualified House candidate anywhere in the country."[29] After Congressman Schiff's death in March, a special election on June 23 was announced. Wilson won the Republican primary for the general election with 62 percent of the vote.[30][1]

Three weeks after winning the primary, Wilson won the special election with 44 percent of the vote in a four-way race against Democratic state senator Phil Maloof, Green Party candidate Robert L. Anderson, and Libertarian Party candidation Bruce Bush.[31] She was sworn into office on June 25, 1998, making her the first woman since Georgia Lusk in 1946, and the first Republican woman ever, to represent New Mexico.[1]

The special election set a record for the infusion of party money.[32] For the June 23 special election, Maloof spent $3.1 million,[1] approximately $1.5 million of which came from the Maloof family fortune and $1 million from committees.[32] Wilson received $1 million from various GOP committees and raised an additional $1.5 million herself.[32]

In the special election, Wilson was accused of removing her husband's legal guardianship records from the agency's central files. After completing an investigation, former district attorney Bob Schwartz determined, and the Department lawyer confirmed that the files remained intact and available for all official purposes during her time in office.[33][34]

1998 general election

Less than five months later in the general election, Wilson faced Phil Maloof again. This time, she won a full term, defeating Maloof 48 percent to 41 percent.[35] Maloof far outspent Wilson again, spending an additional $5 million to Wilson's $1.1 million, making it, at that time, the most expensive House race in New Mexico's history.[1]

2000

Wilson defeated her Democratic opponent, former U.S. Attorney John J. Kelly, by five points.[36]

2002

Wilson defeated State Senate President Pro Tem Richard M. Romero by 10 points.[37]

2004

In 2004, Wilson faced Romero again. Outside spending on the election was the 15th highest of all House races that year, totaling $2,499,980.[38] The National Republican Congressional Committee spent $1,085,956 in the race. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee spent $1,296,402.[39]

Wilson and 66 other candidates received $10,000 donations from then-U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay's Americans for a Republican Majority (ARMPAC) political action committee. ARMPAC filed termination papers with the Federal Election Commission on April 24, 2007.[40] Wilson returned the $10,000 donation from ARMPAC.[41]

During Wilson's reelection campaign in 2004, Romero ran advertisements criticizing Wilson's vote in Congress against a bill to require the screening of cargo holds, suggesting that they had aided Osama bin Laden. Wilson's campaign countered with a policy ad stating Romero "voted against the death penalty for child molesters who murder their victims."[42]

Wilson won the election by eight points.[37]

2006

In the 2006 elections, Heather Wilson faced New Mexico Attorney General Patricia A. Madrid, and a poll taken from October 24–29 prior to the election by Reuters/Zogby showed Madrid leading Wilson 53–44.[43] Wilson won the election by 875 (out of 211,000) votes, or 0.4%[44]

Tenure

[edit]

Wilson was the first woman to represent New Mexico since Georgia Lusk in the 1940s.[45] She served as a member of the Republican Main Street Partnership, a coalition of centrist Republican leaders.[46] Wilson has appeared on HBO's Real Time with Bill Maher.[47]

On October 10, 2002, together with 213 other Republicans and 81 Democrats, Wilson voted in favor of authorizing the use of military force against Iraq.[48]

The Albuquerque Journal reported several instances in 2004 when Wilson acted in opposition to Republican interests: requiring the Bush administration to release cost figures for his prescription drug plan, criticizing Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld about the failure to properly respond to violations of the Geneva Conventions during an Abu Ghraib hearing, and opposing a move by House Republicans to protect Tom DeLay from his fundraising scandal. While critics said these were calculated moves to moderate her image for her upcoming election, Wilson later lost her seat on the House Armed Services Committee due to the actions of Republican Joe Barton, an ally of DeLay.[49][50][51]

Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 Motion to Recommit

In 2003, Wilson joined 221 Republicans and 1 Democrat in voting against a Motion to Recommit the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (HR 1).[52] The motion would have deleted entire sections of the joint House and Senate compromise bill and replaced them with the respective Senate version.

Broadcast Decency Enforcement Act
See also: Broadcast Decency Enforcement Act of 2005

On January 21, 2004, legislation was introduced by Congressman Fred Upton to increase the fines and penalties for violating the prohibitions against the broadcast of obscene, indecent, or profane language. On February 11, 2004, the United States House Energy Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet held a hearing on the bill, at which representatives of the Federal Communications Commission, major broadcasting corporations, and the National Football League testified.[53] During the hearing, Wilson denounced executive Mel Karmazin[54] saying, "You knew what you were doing. You knew what kind of entertainment you're selling, and you wanted us all to be abuzz, here in this room and on the playground in my kids' school, because it improves your ratings. It improves your market share, and it lines your pockets."[55] The bill, H.R. 3717,[56] passed the House of Representatives on March 26, 2004, by a vote of 391–22–1.[57]

NSA warrantless domestic surveillance

On February 7, 2006, Wilson, while serving as Chairwoman of the House Intelligence Subcommittee on Technical and Tactical Intelligence, called for a full congressional inquiry into the NSA warrantless surveillance. Eric Lichtblau of The New York Times said that "the congresswoman's discomfort with the operation appears to reflect deepening fissures among Republicans over the program's legal basis and political liabilities." In an interview for the article, Wilson said, "The president has his duty to do, but I have mine too, and I feel strongly about that."[58]

Terminated U.S. attorney
Main article: 2006 dismissal of U.S. attorneys

Wilson was accused of and later cleared of influencing the termination of a U.S. Attorney. In February 2007, former U.S. Attorney David Iglesias alleged that Wilson's competitive 2006 campaign for re-election to the House was a significant reason for his dismissal from the Justice Department.[59][60] In a March 2007 statement, Wilson said an October call to Iglesias was to resolve an allegation of ethical impropriety made against Iglesias, which Iglesias denied. Iglesias never reported the contact, as he was required to do by DOJ rules.[61] In July 2007, the United States House Committee on Ethics decided not to proceed with any investigation of Wilson.[62] The Justice Department also did a review and the matter was thereafter closed.[63]

Environmental record

Wilson was a member of the Republican Main Street Partnership, the chairs of which introduced legislation to make the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) a cabinet department.[64]

Wilson, along with 80 Democrats and 215 other Republicans, supported House passage of the conference report on the Healthy Forests Restoration Act, which opponents argued would "reduce and expedite environmental and judicial reviews of forest thinning projects.[64]

Wilson, 36 Democrats, and 192 other Republicans supported House passage of the Threatened and Endangered Species Recovery Act of 2005, which would have amended and reauthorized the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to provide greater results conserving and recovering listed species, and for other purposes.[64]

The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) Action Fund, the political advocacy group's Political Action Committee (PAC), named Wilson to its 2006 "Dirty Dozen" list[65] of members of Congress targeted for defeat by the LCV in the 2006 elections.[65] The LCVAF also issued a press release in which Wilson was criticized for voting against a $58 million fund for voluntary conservation measures in the state.[66]

Committee assignments

[edit]

2008 U.S. Senate campaign

[edit]
Main article: 2008 United States Senate election in New Mexico

Wilson was defeated in a June 3, 2008, primary against Congressman Steve Pearce by a margin of 51% to 49%,[68] and would later endorse Pearce's candidacy.[69] In the general election, Pearce was overwhelmingly defeated by Congressman Tom Udall, 61% to 39%.[70]

2012 U.S. Senate campaign

[edit]
Main article: 2012 United States Senate election in New Mexico

On February 18, 2011, incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman decided to retire instead of running for reelection to a sixth term.[71] Wilson won the Republican nomination to succeed him, and faced Democrat Martin Heinrich, who had succeeded Wilson in Congress. In the general election, Heinrich defeated Wilson 51% to 45%.[72]

Academic career

[edit]

Wilson served as president of the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology from 2013 to 2017, leaving to accept the appointment of Secretary of the Air Force.[73] She returned to academia as the president of the University of Texas at El Paso following her resignation as Secretary of the Air Force.

Secretary of the Air Force

[edit]
Wilson's official portrait as Secretary of the Air Force, 2017

After being nominated by President Donald Trump on January 23, 2017, and confirmed by the U.S. Senate on May 8, 2017, Wilson became the first U.S. Air Force Academy graduate to be sworn in as Secretary of the Air Force on May 16, 2017.[74]

As the 24th Secretary of the Air Force, Wilson was responsible for the matters of the Air Force Department, including organizing, training, equipping and supplying 685,000 active, guard, reserve and civilian personnel and their families.[75]

On March 8, 2019, Wilson announced she would resign from this position to be President of the University of Texas at El Paso.[10]

Business career

[edit]

Wilson was the head of the consulting firm, Heather Wilson & Company after leaving Congress.

During her Senate campaign, the Department of Energy began a review of her contracts with national laboratories. In June 2013, a Department of Energy Inspector General report claimed that Wilson collected $450,000 from four Department of Energy facilities between January 2009 and March 2011. The report criticized the labs for maintaining unsatisfactory documentation on the work performed. The labs disagreed with the report.[76]

Sandia Corp., one of the laboratories managed by Lockheed Martin, reimbursed the federal government for the fees paid to Heather Wilson & Company. In 2015, Lockheed Martin paid a $4.7 million fine to settle allegations that it had illegally used taxpayer funds to hire Wilson and others to lobby Congress for an extension of Sandia’s management contract.[77][78] Wilson disputes being mentioned in that agreement. Wilson stated that she "was not a lobbyist for Sandia and [she] was not a member of the Contract Strategy Team criticized by the Inspector General's report."[79] However, critics dispute her denial and have called the arrangement a "revolving door" of the "national security elite."[77] Wilson was also called one of the most "corrupt members of Congress" by the nonprofit government watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington.[80][77]

Heather Wilson chaired the Women in Aviation Advisory Board to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and has served on corporate boards of directors including Maxar Technologies, Raven Industries and Peabody Energy.

In May 2024, Wilson joined the board of directors of Lockheed Martin Corporation, America’s largest defense contractor.[81] She also serves on the boards of Google Public Sector and the Texas Space Commission.

Personal life

[edit]

Wilson is an instrument rated private pilot. She is married to Jay Hone, an attorney and retired Air National Guard Colonel. They have two adult children two granddaughters and two grandsons.[82] Their adopted son, Scott Alexander Hone, died in 2023.[83]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Heather Wilson

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Heather Wilson (born December 30, 1960) is an American academic administrator, politician, and retired Air Force officer who has served as the 11th president of the University of Texas at El Paso since August 2019. Previously, she held the position of the 24th Secretary of the United States Air Force from May 2017 to May 2019, overseeing the organization, training, equipping, and affairs of the 685,000 active-duty, Reserve, and civilian Air Force personnel with an annual budget exceeding $156 billion. A graduate of the United States Air Force Academy in 1982 and a Rhodes Scholar who earned a DPhil in international relations from Oxford University in 1985, Wilson represented New Mexico's 1st congressional district as a Republican in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1998 to 2009, becoming the first female military veteran to complete a full term in Congress. Wilson's career spans , , and higher education leadership, marked by roles such as officer from 1982 to 1989, where she served as a negotiator and political advisor in , and director for European defense on the staff. In , she focused on defense, intelligence, and science committees, contributing to on matters. After leaving , she taught strategy at the U.S. Academy and served as president of the School of Mines and Technology from 2013 to 2017, the first woman in that role for the institution. As UTEP president, she has prioritized institutional growth, including launching an institute and raising over $26 million in 2021 for scholarships, facilities, and faculty support. Her tenure as Secretary of the emphasized readiness, innovation, and modernization amid great power competition, though it drew scrutiny over decisions like the handling of allegations in the service. Wilson's appointments reflect her expertise in defense and , informed by first-hand experience as a first-generation from a .

Early life and education

Upbringing and family influences

Heather Wilson was born on December 30, 1960, in , to George Douglas "Doug" Wilson, a commercial pilot, and Martha Lou Wilson, a nurse. She was the second of three children in the family. Wilson's upbringing was marked by a strong heritage that profoundly shaped her early interests. Her paternal grandfather, George G. "Scotty" Wilson, served as a pilot in the during and later in the U.S. Army Air Corps during , instilling a legacy of service. Her father, who began flying at a young age, continued this tradition as a civilian pilot, exposing Wilson to and flight from childhood; she later recalled dreaming of becoming a pilot herself while growing up in Keene. This familial emphasis on and discipline influenced her pursuit of a career in the U.S. , where she became one of the early female graduates of the . As the granddaughter of immigrants and the first in her to attend college, Wilson's background reflected working-class roots with limited higher education precedent, yet the and ethos provided a pathway for ambition and service-oriented values. Her parents' professions—her father's piloting and her mother's —further emphasized practical skills, , and , themes that echoed in her later professional choices.

Academic and military training

Heather Wilson attended the in , from 1978 to 1982, graduating with a degree in international politics summa cum laude. The class of 1982 was the third at the Academy to admit women, and during her time there, Wilson achieved notable leadership positions, including serving as the first woman to command basic cadet training and as vice wing commander. The Academy's curriculum integrated rigorous academic instruction with military training, including physical fitness regimens, leadership development through cadet squadrons, and introductory exposure to operations and doctrine, culminating in her commissioning as a in the U.S. upon . Following her Academy graduation, Wilson was selected as a Rhodes Scholar and pursued advanced studies at Jesus College, Oxford University, where she earned a Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) and Doctor of Philosophy (D.Phil.) in international relations by 1985. Her doctoral research focused on strategic studies, reflecting her early interest in national security and foreign policy, though specific dissertation details remain limited in public records. This postgraduate education occurred concurrently with her initial active-duty service, blending civilian academic pursuits with military obligations.

Military service

Air Force Academy experience

Wilson entered the in 1978 as a member of the class of 1982, marking the third class to graduate women s following their initial admission in 1976. As a , she demonstrated strong leadership capabilities, serving as vice wing commander and becoming the first woman to command basic cadet training, a role responsible for overseeing the initial indoctrination and discipline of incoming cadets. Her performance during this period was characterized as exemplary by official accounts. Wilson graduated from the on May 26, 1982, earning a degree in summa cum laude. This achievement positioned her for subsequent recognition, including selection as a Rhodes Scholar for graduate studies at Oxford University.

Active duty service and intelligence roles

Heather Wilson was commissioned as a in the United States upon her graduation from the on May 26, 1982. She served on active duty for seven years until 1989, attaining the rank of captain. During this period, her roles focused on strategic planning, negotiations, and policy advising amid tensions in . From 1985 to 1987, Wilson was assigned to Headquarters, 3rd Air Force at , United Kingdom, where she worked in plans and negotiations, serving as a negotiator and political advisor to the U.S. . In this capacity, she contributed to operational planning and diplomatic engagements. She also held positions as a planner and defense policy director, involving analysis of strategic threats and treaty compliance. Wilson's final active duty assignment from 1987 to 1989 was in the Office of Defense Plans at the U.S. Mission to in , , as a defense planning officer. There, she supported 's defense strategies, including negotiations and contingency planning, roles that required integrating assessments with policy formulation, though not in a dedicated capacity. Her service emphasized first-hand experience in transatlantic security cooperation during the late era.

Early civilian career

National Security Council involvement

Wilson served on the staff from 1989 to 1991 as director for defense policy and under President . In this role, she coordinated policy on strategic defense issues, focusing on negotiations and European security arrangements amid the waning . Her responsibilities included building interagency consensus to advance Bush administration positions on key treaties, such as the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) and the Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) Treaty, which aimed to reduce nuclear and conventional arsenals between the and the . These efforts supported the broader U.S. strategy of verifiable reductions in offensive capabilities while maintaining deterrence. Wilson's NSC tenure bridged her military intelligence background with high-level civilian policymaking, providing direct input to presidential decisions on proliferation risks and alliance defense structures during a period of rapid geopolitical shifts, including the fall of the in 1989 and the dissolution of the .

Private sector and state government positions

After leaving the National Security Council in 1991, Wilson entered the by founding and serving as president of Keystone International, a consulting firm based in , whose clients included the U.S. Department of Defense and focused on defense policy and international affairs. She held this position until 1995, during which the firm provided advisory services on matters related to and . In 1995, Governor appointed Wilson as cabinet secretary for the state's Children, Youth and Families Department, a role she held until 1998. In this capacity, she oversaw programs for , , child welfare, and youth services, managing a exceeding $200 million and implementing reforms to reduce administrative overhead while emphasizing family preservation and in child placements. Her tenure included efforts to streamline processes and address systemic issues in out-of-home placements, drawing on data-driven evaluations to prioritize outcomes for at-risk children.

Congressional career

House of Representatives elections

Wilson won a special election on June 23, 1998, to the 105th , defeating Democrat Phillip J. Maloof to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Representative Steven H. Schiff. She secured the full term in the general election on November 3, 1998. In the 2000 election, Wilson was reelected with 49.9% of the vote against Democrat John Kelly's 43.6%. She defeated Democrat Richard Romero in both the and elections, receiving roughly 55% of the vote each time. The 2006 election against Democratic Patricia was the closest of Wilson's House campaigns; she prevailed by fewer than 2,000 votes, with conceding on November 21 after a prolonged count. Wilson received 105,987 votes to 's 105,106. Rather than seeking a seventh term in 2008, Wilson pursued the Republican nomination for the U.S. seat held by retiring , finishing second to Steve Pearce in the primary. Democrat succeeded her in the seat.

Legislative tenure and policy positions

Heather Wilson represented in the from June 23, 1998, to January 3, 2009. During this period, she served on the House Armed Services Committee (2001–2009), focusing on military oversight; the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, where she addressed terrorism-related threats and intelligence reforms; and the Energy and Commerce Committee, emphasizing consumer protections and technology regulations. Wilson advocated for enhanced measures, including the modernization of electronic capabilities to adapt to evolving threats, as demonstrated by her sponsorship of H.R. 5825, the Electronic Surveillance Modernization Act of 2006, which aimed to update laws for foreign intelligence gathering. On the Intelligence Committee, she contributed to policies strengthening U.S. efforts and oversight of intelligence agencies. Her defense positions reflected her military background, prioritizing robust funding and readiness for the armed forces amid post-9/11 operations, including support for authorizations and military procurement reforms during her Armed Services tenure. In economic and , Wilson sponsored H.R. 2335, the Federal Energy Price Protection Act of 2007, to address rising energy costs through market-based protections rather than . On the and , she led initiatives for consumer safeguards in online commerce and wireless telecommunications, passing measures to protect users as digital transactions proliferated. She also introduced H.R. 6312, the Rivers Feasibility Studies Act of 2006, to evaluate water resource management in her district. Wilson supported immigration adjustments favoring investor visas, co-sponsoring H.R. 2310, the E-2 Nonimmigrant Investor Adjustment Act of 2007, to streamline pathways for foreign investors creating U.S. jobs. Her legislative record emphasized , balancing imperatives with economic and local needs, while critiquing excessive government intervention in markets.

Senate campaigns

In 2008, Wilson sought the Republican nomination to challenge incumbent Democratic Senator . She competed in the June 3 Republican primary against U.S. Representative Steve Pearce, losing narrowly with 49 percent of the vote to Pearce's 51 percent. Pearce advanced to the general election but was defeated by Democratic nominee , who secured 61.3 percent of the vote to Pearce's 38.7 percent. Following her departure from the U.S. House in 2009, Wilson announced her candidacy for New Mexico's open U.S. Senate seat in early 2012 after Bingaman opted not to seek a sixth term. She won the Republican primary on June 5, defeating businessman Greg Sowards. In the November 6 general election, Wilson faced Democratic U.S. Representative Martin Heinrich in a closely contested race, with Heinrich prevailing by approximately 2 percentage points amid national Republican challenges. Wilson raised nearly $760,000 in her first fundraising quarter reported in April 2012, outperforming Heinrich in that period. Following the defeat, she stated it would be her final Senate bid.

Academic and leadership roles

Post-Congress teaching and research

After departing on January 3, 2009, Wilson founded and served as president of Heather Wilson & Company, LLC, from 2009 to 2013, based in . In this private sector role, she functioned as a senior advisor to major defense and scientific institutions, including , , and the , offering strategic guidance on , technology development, and operational planning. Her advisory work drew on her doctoral expertise in and prior experience, focusing on applied for research-oriented entities rather than formal academic output or peer-reviewed publications during this interval. No records indicate engagement in university-level teaching, lecturing, or adjunct roles in higher education between 2009 and her appointment as university president in 2013. This consulting phase bridged her congressional service and subsequent higher education leadership, emphasizing practical contributions to scientific and defense agendas over traditional scholarly pursuits.

Presidency at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

Heather Wilson was selected as the 18th president of the School of Mines and Technology (SDSM&T) on April 25, 2013, becoming the first woman to hold the position in the institution's 128-year history. She succeeded Robert Wharton, who had died in September 2012, and assumed duties on the Rapid City campus around June 17, 2013. During her tenure, Wilson emphasized expanding research capacity and infrastructure at the engineering and science-focused . Under Wilson's leadership, SDSM&T saw research awards double from $9 million in 2013 to $18 million in 2015. The institution secured funding for new facilities, launched additional academic programs, boosted overall enrollment, and elevated its national profile through targeted outreach and partnerships. In 2014, SDSM&T gained full membership in the , enhancing its intercollegiate athletics presence. Colleagues later described her four-year term as effective, noting her success in resource allocation and program development amid a constrained state budget environment. Wilson resigned in early 2017 following her nomination by President to serve as United States Secretary of the , concluding her presidency on May 8, 2017. Her departure prompted the appointment of an interim president, with the university crediting her with strengthening its position as a STEM research hub.

Secretary of the Air Force

Nomination, confirmation, and key initiatives

President announced his intention to nominate Heather Wilson as the 24th Secretary of the on January 23, 2017. Wilson, a 1982 graduate of the and former U.S. Representative from , was selected for her military service, academic expertise in national security, and congressional experience on defense committees. The nomination faced scrutiny during Senate Armed Services Committee hearings on March 30, 2017, particularly regarding her past congressional votes on defense budgets and potential conflicts from her academic roles, but proceeded without major delays. The U.S. confirmed Wilson on May 8, 2017, by a vote of 76-22, reflecting broad bipartisan support despite opposition from some Democrats citing her prior stances on issues like the surge. Secretary of Defense praised her confirmation, noting her dedication and experience as essential for addressing readiness challenges. Wilson was sworn in on May 16, 2017, becoming the Academy alumnus to hold the position and overseeing a department with an annual exceeding $138 billion responsible for organizing, training, and equipping personnel. Wilson's early initiatives emphasized restoring operational readiness amid high optempo demands and great power competition, directing reforms to squadron manning, maintenance, and training pipelines to reduce burnout and improve mission capability rates. She advocated for expanding the force structure through the "Air Force We Need" analysis, which recommended growing from 312 to 386 squadrons to meet strategic requirements against adversaries like and . Additionally, Wilson prioritized acquisition reforms to accelerate weapons development and innovation, including streamlined prototyping for light and enhanced investments in cyber and capabilities. In April 2019, she unveiled an updated Science and Technology Strategy to better integrate emerging technologies like into operations.

Major achievements and reforms

As Secretary of the Air Force from May 16, 2017, to May 31, 2019, Wilson prioritized restoring squadron readiness amid a service-wide crisis, implementing the Squadron Health Initiative to address maintenance delays, personnel shortages, and infrastructure deficiencies through targeted investments and process changes that accelerated recovery in fighter units by 2019. She oversaw a $138 billion annual budget, directing reforms in weapons acquisition, sustainment, and to enhance and , including streamlined processes for , software, and services. Wilson advanced acquisition reforms by leveraging new congressional authorities to shorten weapons testing and development timelines, overhaul maintenance protocols, and foster , aligning with broader efforts to counter great-power competition. On April 17, 2019, she unveiled a new Science and Technology emphasizing speed in to identify, develop, and integrate technologies faster. In space programs, Wilson introduced reforms on April 17, 2018, adopting agile acquisition principles inspired by commercial practices—"move fast and break things"—to accelerate and launch capabilities, reducing bureaucratic hurdles and enabling quicker deployment of assets. She advocated for increased funding, securing a proposed $165 billion 2020 to expand the force structure, including more aircraft and personnel, while linking reforms directly to enhanced .

Resignation and transition

On March 8, 2019, following the Board of Regents' unanimous selection of Wilson as the sole finalist for the presidency of the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), she announced her resignation as Secretary of the in a letter to President , effective May 31, 2019, provided the regents confirmed her appointment. In the letter, Wilson described her service alongside personnel as a privilege and expressed pride in the department's accomplishments, including modernization efforts and readiness improvements. The University of Texas System regents formally approved Wilson's appointment as UTEP president on April 2, 2019, despite objections from some Democratic lawmakers regarding her questionnaire responses, enabling her resignation to proceed as planned. Wilson delivered farewell remarks to personnel on May 21, 2019, at , where she reflected on her nearly three-year tenure—spanning from May 2017—and commended Airmen for their contributions to rebuilding the force amid budget constraints and operational demands. During the transition period, Matthew Donovan served as acting Secretary of the starting June 1, 2019. Wilson assumed the UTEP presidency on August 15, 2019, succeeding Diana Natalicio amid heightened campus security concerns following the August 3, 2019, El Paso mass shooting, which underscored the university's proximity to the incident site. Her move marked a return to higher education leadership, building on prior roles such as president of the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology from 2013 to 2017.

University of Texas at El Paso presidency

Appointment process and early challenges

The Board of Regents named Heather Wilson the sole finalist for the presidency of the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) on March 8, 2019, following a national search to succeed long-serving president Diana Natalicio, who had led the institution for over 30 years. The regents unanimously approved her appointment on April 2, 2019, selecting her over three other unnamed candidates, with Wilson resigning her position as U.S. Secretary of the Air Force effective May 31, 2019, to assume the role. She officially began her tenure on August 15, 2019. Wilson's selection drew immediate opposition from activists, faculty, and groups, primarily centered on her congressional voting record from 1998 to 2009, which included opposition to bills expanding protections for LGBTQ individuals, such as the and the repeal of "." Protests erupted during her first campus visit in March 2019, with demonstrators chanting "We Deserve Better" outside a news conference, reflecting concerns from Democratic lawmakers and advocacy groups that her conservative stances could alienate UTEP's diverse body, which includes a significant population. Compounding these political challenges, Wilson's tenure commenced amid the aftermath of the August 3, 2019, at a in El Paso that killed 23 people, an event that heightened community trauma in the just two weeks before her start date and required rapid institutional response to support affected students and staff. Despite the controversies, , including UT James B. Milliken, affirmed her qualifications in higher education and as key to navigating these initial hurdles.

Strategic initiatives and institutional growth

Upon assuming the presidency of the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) in August 2019, Heather Wilson initiated the development of the university's 2030 Strategic Plan, charging a committee in January 2020 to outline a roadmap leveraging UTEP's strategic advantages in location, personnel, culture of care, and partnerships to drive institutional advancement. The plan emphasizes expanding research capacity, enhancing student success metrics, and fostering regional economic ties, with early implementation reviews in 2021 highlighting progress in enrollment retention and collaborative initiatives. Under Wilson's leadership, UTEP achieved sustained growth in research expenditures, rising from $91 million in fiscal year 2020 to $146 million by fiscal year 2024, marking record highs for multiple consecutive years including $130.5 million in fiscal year 2022 as reported to the National Science Foundation. This expansion supported new facilities and programs, such as the launch of UTEP's first artificial intelligence institute in 2025 to address regional challenges in technology and data analytics. Reaffirmation of UTEP's R1 doctoral research classification in February 2025 under updated Carnegie criteria underscored expenditures exceeding $146 million annually, validating investments in fields like cancer research and environmental studies on dust storms. Enrollment expanded notably, with freshman classes breaking records for the second straight year in fall 2023, contributing to UTEP's top rankings for —first in and 15th nationally per —and designation as a Carnegie Opportunity University for high performance in access and outcomes for underserved students. efforts yielded $41.5 million in fiscal year 2025, exceeding $40 million for the fourth year running, enabling infrastructure projects including a proposed $118 million in campus upgrades and a 10-year master plan for student housing and facilities presented in August 2024. Strategic program expansions included a new initiative announced in 2025 and a push for an El Paso , bolstered by a $5 million donation from the Family Foundation in October 2025 to develop bilingual focused on . These efforts aligned with broader goals of elevating UTEP's profile, as evidenced by its No. 1 ranking for best value by in 2023 and inclusion in ' top 500 colleges at No. 280 nationally in 2024, with emphasis on low-debt graduation.

Controversies and criticisms

Political voting record and ideological stances

During her tenure as U.S. Representative for from 1998 to 2009, Heather Wilson aligned predominantly with Republican positions, earning a lifetime score of 85% agreement with the party line according to GovTrack.us data aggregated from roll-call votes. She was rated as a moderate conservative by , reflecting bipartisan votes on issues like education funding and , but consistent on and social matters. On social issues, Wilson held pro-life stances, voting yes on H.R. 760 to ban partial-birth abortions on October 21, 2003, and supporting measures like barring transport of minors for abortions without in June 1999. She received a 78% rating from the and only 10% from NARAL Pro-Choice America, underscoring her opposition to abortion rights expansions. Regarding LGBT rights, she voted yes on constitutional amendments defining as between one man and one , including H.J.Res. 106 in September 2004 and July 2006, and no on prohibiting job discrimination based on in November 2007; the rated her at 0%. Fiscally, Wilson supported tax reductions, voting yes on the 2001 and 2003 Bush tax cuts, including eliminating the estate tax in April 2001, and opposed progressive taxation reforms like those in December 2007. The National Taxpayers Union rated her at 55% for fiscal conservatism. On gun rights, she earned an "A" from the NRA, voting yes to reduce gun waiting periods in June 1999 and protect manufacturers from lawsuits in October 2005. In and defense, Wilson backed the , voting yes on H.J.Res. 114 authorizing military force in October 2002 and no on mandatory troop redeployment timelines in May 2007. Her votes emphasized strong military funding, consistent with her background. On , her record was mixed: she supported H.R. 4437 for border fence construction in September 2006 but also backed expansions for immigrant visas in September 1998, drawing a 0% rating from the for perceived leniency.
Issue AreaKey RatingsNotable Votes
Abortion78% NRLC; 10% NARALYes on partial-birth ban (H.R. 760, 10/21/2003)
LGBT Rights0% HRCYes on amendment (H.J.Res. 106, 9/30/2004)
Taxes/Economy55% NTUYes on (2001-2003)
GunsA (NRA)Yes on protection (10/20/2005)
0% FAIRYes on border fence (H.R. 4437, 9/14/2006)
Supported authorizationYes on H.J.Res. 114 (10/10/2002)

Air Force administration disputes

During her tenure as from May 2017 to May 2019, Heather Wilson encountered significant internal administration tensions, particularly regarding the implementation of President Trump's proposed . Wilson advocated for a deliberate, cost-conscious approach to reorganizing space operations, cautioning against hasty structural changes that could disrupt readiness and budgeting. In a June 19, 2018, memo, she emphasized the need for legislative alignment and warned that immediate alterations to organization risked undermining operational effectiveness amid competing priorities like great-power competition with and . These positions drew ire from Trump administration officials, who viewed her resistance as obstructing the president's directive for a separate space branch. A September 14, , memo from Wilson estimated that establishing the would require $13 billion and approximately 13,000 personnel over five years, figures criticized by Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan and aides as inflated and obstructive. This led to reports in October that Trump was considering her dismissal, with communications signaling dissatisfaction over perceived foot-dragging on the initiative. Wilson also opposed standalone proposals like a new , arguing instead that the Air Force's existing structures could handle rapid prototyping and acquisitions more efficiently. The disagreements contributed to broader speculation about Wilson's job security, though she maintained that her recommendations stemmed from studies prioritizing warfighting capabilities over bureaucratic reorganization. Despite the friction, Wilson later described the departure of Defense Secretary James Mattis in December 2018—amid his own policy clashes with Trump—as facilitating her own exit, suggesting alignment with Mattis on service-focused priorities. These disputes culminated in her announcement on March 8, 2019, effective May 31, to assume the presidency of the University of Texas at El Paso, though some observers attributed the timing to the accumulating pressures from implementation battles.

University leadership backlash

Upon her nomination as UTEP president on March 8, 2019, Heather Wilson encountered substantial opposition from students, faculty, and local activists, who primarily cited her congressional voting record from the late 1990s to early 2000s as evidence of misalignment with the university's diverse, border-region student body. Critics highlighted votes in favor of a federal amendment banning same-sex marriage, against expansions of hate crime protections and employment nondiscrimination measures for LGBTQ individuals, against $84 million in federal grants for minority-serving colleges, and in support of constructing a U.S.-Mexico border fence. Protests erupted on campus during her visit, featuring chants of "We deserve better" and displays of rainbow flags, while an online petition amassed over 9,300 signatures urging the University of Texas Board of Regents to reject her candidacy. The El Paso County Democratic Party issued a vote of no confidence, and the Texas Democratic Party called for her nomination's withdrawal, with opponents arguing her record rendered her unfit for a Hispanic-serving institution like UTEP. A Faculty Senate survey indicated majority opposition among respondents, though some faculty defended her professional qualifications. Despite the outcry, the UT System Board of Regents confirmed Wilson as president on April 2, 2019, prompting continued activism from LGBTQ student groups and others who viewed her appointment as emblematic of institutional disregard for progressive values. An online petition ultimately exceeded 10,000 signatures reiterating demands for her withdrawal, reflecting persistent concerns over her pre-2010 stances rather than actions during her or academic roles. In May 2024, Wilson faced criticism from El Paso-area elected officials over her handling of a $160 million National Science Foundation (NSF) grant for the Paso del Norte Defense and Aerospace Innovation Engine, awarded to a UTEP-led coalition in January 2024. After UTEP identified discrepancies in the proposal—such as references to unleased hangars and overstated land acreage (8,000 acres claimed versus actual smaller holdings)—on or about April 6, 2024, the NSF suspended the grant on April 25, 2024. Wilson removed principal investigator Ahsan Choudhuri as director of UTEP's Aerospace Center before May 6, 2024, and notified the NSF that day of the "potentially incorrect statements," prompting accusations that her intervention jeopardized regional economic development. Mayor Oscar Leeser, County Judge Ricardo Samaniego, and Representative Veronica Escobar issued a May 8, 2024, letter expressing "deep concern," stating Choudhuri's removal would "impact the economic future of our entire region and jeopardize a once-in-a-generation opportunity." The UT System affirmed support for Wilson's decisions on May 9, 2024, citing the need for proposal accuracy. The controversy escalated when the NSF terminated the grant on August 12, 2025, reallocating funds without any disbursed to the , which involved 18 regional partners aimed at bolstering manufacturing. Escobar attributed the loss directly to Wilson, claiming her removal of Choudhuri over alleged errors—denied by Choudhuri and his attorney as insignificant—derailed the initiative and triggered resignations or retirements from co-principal investigator Ryan and department chair Jack Chessa. UTEP declined comment on the termination, while Mayor Renard Johnson acknowledged the setback but emphasized alternative prospects. Critics, including Democratic officials, framed Wilson's actions as overly punitive and detrimental to El Paso's growth, though supporters within the UT System maintained the moves upheld grant integrity standards.

Personal life

Family and relationships

Heather Wilson is married to Jay Hone, an attorney and retired colonel in the . The couple has two adult children and four grandchildren. Wilson maintains an interest in shared with her family background, holding an as a private pilot.

Recognition and post-career activities

Heather Wilson received the in 1982, which supported her graduate studies in at University, culminating in a in 1984 and a in 1985. For her doctoral dissertation examining the philosophical foundations of , she was awarded the Paul Reuter Prize by the International Committee of the Red Cross, the second recipient of this honor recognizing major contributions to the field. In recognition of her service as an Academy graduate and subsequent achievements, Wilson received the Distinguished Graduate Award from the Association of Graduates in 2009. During her tenure as Secretary of the Air Force, she was selected for the 2018 Wash100 Award, an annual designation of 100 leaders influencing U.S. government and industry priorities. Following her appointment as president of the University of Texas at El Paso in 2019, Wilson was named a recipient of the Eisenhower Award by the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress, honoring exemplary leadership in public service. As of October 2025, she remains in that role, with no public announcements of post-presidency engagements.

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