View source for Heather Wilson

{{Short description|American academic administrator (born 1960)}}
{{for-multi|the Irish cyclist|Heather Wilson (cyclist)|the author|Heather Gemmen Wilson}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2019}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| image               = UTEP President Heather Wilson 2021.jpg
| caption             = Wilson in 2021
| office              = 11th President of [[University of Texas, El Paso]]
| term_start          = August 15, 2019
| term_end            = 
| predecessor         = [[Diana Natalicio]]
| successor           = 
| office1             = 24th [[United States Secretary of the Air Force]]
| president1          = [[Donald Trump]]
| term_start1         = May 16, 2017
| term_end1           = May 31, 2019
| predecessor1        = [[Deborah Lee James]]
| successor1          = [[Barbara Barrett]]
| office2             = 12th President of the [[South Dakota School of Mines and Technology]]
| term_start2         = June 17, 2013
| term_end2           = May 10, 2017
| predecessor2        = Robert Wharton
| successor2          = Jan Puszynski (acting)
| state3              = [[New Mexico]]
| district3           = {{ushr|NM|1|1st}}
| term_start3         = June 25, 1998
| term_end3           = January 3, 2009
| predecessor3        = [[Steven Schiff]]
| successor3          = [[Martin Heinrich]]
| birth_name          = Heather Ann Wilson
| birth_date          = {{birth date and age|1960|12|30}}
| birth_place         = [[Keene, New Hampshire|Keene]], [[New Hampshire]], U.S.
| death_date          = 
| death_place         = 
| party               = [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| spouse              = Jay Hone
| children            = 3
| education           = [[United States Air Force Academy]] ([[Bachelor of Science|BS]])<br>[[Jesus College, Oxford]] ([[Master of Philosophy|MPhil]], [[Doctor of Philosophy|DPhil]])
| allegiance          = [[United States]]
| branch              = [[United States Air Force]]
| serviceyears        = 1978–1989
| rank                = [[Captain (United States O-3)|Captain]]
| signature           = Signature of Heather Wilson (cropped).jpg
}}
'''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 [[United States Republican Party|Republican]] member of the [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. House of Representatives]] for {{ushr|New Mexico|1}} from 1998 to 2009. Wilson was the first female military veteran elected to a full term in Congress.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://history.house.gov/People/Detail/24163|title=WILSON, Heather {{!}} US House of Representatives: History, Art & Archives|website=history.house.gov|access-date=May 15, 2017}}</ref>

While in the U.S. House of Representatives, Wilson served on the [[United States House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence|Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence]], the [[United States House Committee on Armed Services|Committee on Armed Services]],<ref name=":0" /> and the [[United States House Committee on Energy and Commerce|Committee on Energy and Commerce]].<ref name=":0" /> 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 (politician)|Steve Pearce]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.abqjournal.com/140333/race-for-the-senate-wilson.html|title=Updated: Race for the Senate: Heather Wilson|website=abqjournal.com|access-date=May 15, 2017}}</ref> On March 7, 2011, she announced another run for Senate in 2012 to replace retiring senator [[Jeff Bingaman]],<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.abqjournal.com/27054/breaking-heather-wilson-is-running-for-senate.html|title=Breaking: Heather Wilson is Running For Senate|website=abqjournal.com |access-date=May 15, 2017}}</ref> but lost the [[United States Senate election in New Mexico, 2012|general election]] to Democrat [[Martin Heinrich]], her successor in the House of Representatives.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.abqjournal.com/907386/former-rep-heather-wilson-considered-for-intelligence-job-in-trump-administration.html |title=Updated: Wilson being considered for top national security job|website=abqjournal.com|access-date=May 15, 2017}}</ref>

In April 2013 she was selected was president of the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sdsmt.edu/News/Mines-Family-Welcomes-Wilson-Family/|title=Mines Family Welcomes Wilson Family |date=June 26, 2013|website=South Dakota School of Mines & Technology|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130626145201/http://www.sdsmt.edu/News/Mines-Family-Welcomes-Wilson-Family/|archive-date=June 26, 2013|url-status=dead|access-date=May 15, 2017}}</ref> making her the first female president of the school.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://rapidcityjournal.com/photos/photos-heather-wilson-s-tenure-at-school-of-mines/collection_a3031857-0411-57d0-9459-86f898e0dd97.html|title=PHOTOS: Heather Wilson's tenure at School of Mines|work=Rapid City Journal|access-date=May 15, 2017}}</ref> President [[Donald Trump]] announced on January 23, 2017, that he would nominate Wilson as Secretary of the Air Force.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/01/23/president-donald-j-trump-intends-nominate-heather-wilson-secretary-air|title=President Donald J. Trump Intends to Nominate Heather Wilson as Secretary of the Air Force|date=January 23, 2017|work=[[White House]]|access-date=May 15, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170124010600/https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/01/23/president-donald-j-trump-intends-nominate-heather-wilson-secretary-air|archive-date=January 24, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> The U.S. Senate confirmed her nomination on May 8, 2017.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/senate/332435-senate-confirms-trumps-air-force-chief/|title=Senate confirms Trump's Air Force chief|date=May 8, 2017|work=TheHill|access-date=May 15, 2017}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2019/03/08/air-force-secretary-heather-wilson-expected-resign/|title=Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson says she will resign |last1=Lamothe|first1=Dan|date=March 8, 2019 |newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=March 8, 2019|last2=Sonne|first2=Paul}}</ref><ref name="Politico19">{{cite news |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2019/03/08/heather-wilson-stepping-down-1213085|title=Air Force secretary is stepping down|work=[[Politico]]|date=March 8, 2019|access-date=March 8, 2019|last=Morgan|first=Wesley}}</ref> On March 2, 2020, Trump appointed Wilson to the [[National Science Board]].<ref>[https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/presidential-actions/president-donald-j-trump-announces-intent-nominate-appoint-individuals-key-administration-posts-32/ www.whitehouse.gov]</ref>

== Early life and education ==
Wilson was born on December 30, 1960, in [[Keene, New Hampshire|Keene]], [[New Hampshire]], the daughter of Martha Lou, nurse, and George Douglas Wilson, a commercial pilot and member of the [[Experimental Aircraft Association]].<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.sentinelsource.com/news/local/area-native-is-president-s-pick-for-air-force-secretary/article_518a4407-f7ab-5aa3-8728-8fde88e1e6a1.html|title=Area native is president's pick for Air Force secretary |work=SentinelSource.com|access-date=May 15, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://nmpolitics.net/index/2012/05/difficult-childhood-drove-wilson-to-seek-a-better-life/ |title=Difficult childhood drove Wilson to seek a better life|work=NMPolitics.net|access-date=May 15, 2017|language=en-US}}</ref> Wilson grew up around aviation and hoped to become a pilot like her father and grandfather before her.<ref name=":0" /> Her paternal grandparents were born in [[Scotland]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://rapidcityjournal.com/news/polishing-a-hidden-gem/article_7b58e37d-536c-5172-a70f-2673ce7f5a34.html|title=Polishing a hidden gem|work=Rapid City Journal|access-date=May 15, 2017|language=en}}</ref> 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 [[Barnstorming|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.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Woster|first1=Kevin|title=Wilson carries Frost, Tennyson on road less traveled to lead Air Force |url=http://www.sdpb.org/blogs/kevinwoster/heather-wilson-and-the-road-to-be-taken/|access-date=May 16, 2017|publisher=South Dakota Public Broadcasting|date=February 23, 2017}}</ref> Her father started flying at age 13 and enlisted in the [[United States Air Force]] after high school.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Rubin|first1=Jennifer|title=Interview: Heather Wilson, Senate candidate |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/right-turn/post/interview-heather-wilson-senate-candidate/2012/04/18/gIQAqfwIRT_blog.html |access-date=February 13, 2017|newspaper=Washington Post|date=April 18, 2012}}</ref>

The [[United States Air Force Academy]] began admitting women during Wilson's junior year at [[Keene High School]] ([[Keene, New Hampshire|Keene]], [[New Hampshire]]). She applied and was appointed to the Academy.<ref name=":0" /> At the Academy, she was the first woman to command basic training and the first woman Vice Wing Commander.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.prweb.com/releases/president_heather_wilson_inauguration_set_for_oct_4_at_south_dakota_school_of_mines_technology/prweb11146743.htm|title=President Heather Wilson Inauguration Set for Oct. 4 at South Dakota School of Mines & Technology|work=PRWeb|access-date=May 15, 2017}}</ref> She graduated in 1982 as a Distinguished Graduate (''[[magna cum laude]]'' equivalent).<ref name="hwilson">{{cite web|url=http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=w000789 |title=Wilson, Heather|publisher=United States Congress|access-date=March 10, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.dobbins.afrc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1064406/white-house-nominates-academy-grad-heather-wilson-to-become-air-force-secretary/|title=White House nominates Academy grad Heather Wilson to become Air Force|work=Dobbins Air Reserve Base|access-date=May 15, 2017}}</ref> Wilson earned a [[Rhodes Scholarship]] to study at the [[University of Oxford]] and continued her education at [[Jesus College, Oxford|Jesus College]], earning an [[Master of Philosophy|M.Phil.]] and [[Doctor of Philosophy|D.Phil.]] in [[international relations]] by 1985.<ref name="hwilson" />

In 1990, [[Oxford University Press]] published her book, ''International Law and the Use of Force by National Liberation Movements'',<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MNj5hzOHIasC |title=International Law and the Use of Force by National Liberation Movements|last=Wilson|first=Heather A.|date=1990 |publisher=Clarendon Press|isbn=9780198256625|language=en}}</ref> which won the 1988 [[Paul Reuter (lawyer)|Paul Reuter]] Prize of the [[International Committee of the Red Cross]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.icrc.org/eng/resources/documents/misc/reuter-fund-010705.htm#2 |title=Paul Reuter Prize |publisher=icrc.org |date=November 19, 2010 |access-date=August 13, 2011}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.icrc.org/eng/resources/documents/misc/57jn63.htm |title=The Paul Reuter Prize |publisher=icrc.org |date=November 30, 2010 |access-date=August 13, 2011}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/156329171/|title=Albuquerque Journal from Albuquerque, New Mexico on April 30, 1998 &middot; Page 2|work=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 15, 2017|language=en}}</ref>

== Career ==

=== National Security Council ===
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 [[United States National Security Council|National Security Council]] staff.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/administration/eop/nsc/|work=[[whitehouse.gov]]|title=National Security Council |via=[[NARA|National Archives]]|access-date=May 15, 2017}}</ref>  She worked for Republican president [[George H. W. Bush]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.defensenews.com/articles/senate-confirms-wilson-as-air-force-secretary-76-22|title=US Senate confirms Heather Wilson as Air Force secretary, 76-22|website=Defense News|date=May 8, 2017 |access-date=May 15, 2017}}</ref> 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|date=April 2020}}

=== Keystone International ===
After leaving government in 1991, Wilson founded Keystone International, Inc. in [[Albuquerque, New Mexico]] to promote business development in the [[United States]] and [[Russia]].<ref name=":1">{{cite news|last1=Kheel|first1=Rebecca|title=Trump taps former congresswoman for Air Force secretary|url=https://thehill.com/policy/defense/315642-trump-taps-former-congresswoman-air-force-officer-for-air-force-secretary/|access-date=February 13, 2017|work=The Hill|date=January 23, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Lamothe |first1=Dan|title=ChecTrump picks former congresswoman and Air Force veteran Heather Wilson as Air Force secretary |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2017/01/23/trump-picks-former-congresswoman-and-air-force-veteran-heather-wilson-as-air-force-secretary/|access-date=February 13, 2017|newspaper=Washington Post|date=January 23, 2017}}</ref>

=== Governor Johnson administration ===
In 1995, [[Governor of New Mexico|Governor]] [[Gary Johnson]] appointed Wilson to be Cabinet Secretary of the [[New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department]].<ref name=":1" /> 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.<ref name="sfgate">{{cite news|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/politics/election/2002nov/bios/hnm1rep.dtl|title=Heather A. Wilson|work=San Francisco Chronicle|access-date=August 13, 2011}} {{Dead link|date=August 2012|bot=RjwilmsiBot}}</ref>

== U.S. House of Representatives ==
[[File:Heather_Wilson_official_portrait.jpg|thumb|Congressional Photo of Heather Wilson (1998–2009)]]

=== Elections ===
;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."<ref name="womenincongress">See [http://womenincongress.house.gov/member-profiles/profile.html?intID=256 "Women in Congress: Heather A. Wilson"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110407011837/http://womenincongress.house.gov/member-profiles/profile.html?intID=256 |date=April 7, 2011 }}. [[Helen Douglas Mankin]] was a Red Cross civilian nurse who served in World War I, but did not have veteran status. [[Catherine Small Long]], a member of the Navy WAVES, was elected to complete the term of her husband who died in office and did not run for re-election.</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=28873 |title=NM District 01 – R Primary|publisher=ourcampaigns.com |access-date=August 13, 2011}}</ref><ref name=":0" />

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 (United States)|Green Party]] candidate Robert L. Anderson, and [[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian Party]] candidation Bruce Bush.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.sos.state.nm.us/Main/Elections/1998/Special/Special.htm|title=Secretary of State {{!}} Special Election Results |date=February 13, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080213201730/http://www.sos.state.nm.us/Main/Elections/1998/Special/Special.htm|archive-date=February 13, 2008|url-status=dead|access-date=May 15, 2017}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":0" />

The special election set a record for the infusion of party money.<ref name=":2">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/campaigns/keyraces98/stories/nm062598.htm |title=GOP Spends $1 Million to Hold N.M. Seat |newspaper=Washington Post |date=June 25, 1998 |access-date = August 13, 2011}}</ref> For the June 23 special election, Maloof spent $3.1 million,<ref name=":0" /> approximately $1.5 million of which came from the [[Maloof family]] fortune and $1 million from committees.<ref name=":2" /> Wilson received $1 million from various GOP committees and raised an additional $1.5 million herself.<ref name=":2" />

In the special election, Wilson was accused of removing her foster parent 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, not accessible to her, and available for all official purposes during her time in office.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://business.highbeam.com/2872/article-1G1-107579835/former-da-says-wilson-broke-no-law-over-file|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014202831/http://business.highbeam.com/2872/article-1G1-107579835/former-da-says-wilson-broke-no-law-over-file|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 14, 2012|title=Former DA Says Wilson Broke No Law Over File|date=June 17, 1998 |author=Lumpkin, John J.|work=[[Albuquerque Journal]]|access-date=August 13, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.abqjournal.com/elex/wilsonrecords08-09-96.htm |title=ABQ Journal: DA Plans Check on Wilson Records|website=abqjournal.com|access-date=May 15, 2017}}</ref>

;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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sos.state.nm.us/Main/Elections/1998/98General/rsult000.htm|title=State of New Mexico {{!}} Official 1998 General Election Results for United States Representative - District 01|website=New Mexico Secretary of State|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080703112116/http://www.sos.state.nm.us/Main/Elections/1998/98General/rsult000.htm |archive-date=July 3, 2008|url-status=dead|access-date=May 15, 2017}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":0" />

;2000
Wilson defeated her Democratic opponent, former [[United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico|U.S. Attorney]] John J. Kelly, by five points.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/11/09/us/the-2000-elections-state-by-state-west-104140.html |title=The 2000 Elections: State by State|date=November 9, 2000|work=The New York Times|access-date=May 15, 2017 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

;2002
Wilson defeated State Senate President Pro Tem [[Richard M. Romero]] by 10 points.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/11/03/house.newmexico1/index.html|title=CNN.com - Wilson beats Romero in New Mexico - Nov 3, 2004|website=cnn.com|access-date=May 15, 2017}}</ref>

;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.<ref>{{cite web |title=2004 Outside Spending, by Races |publisher=[[OpenSecrets]] |url=http://www.opensecrets.org/outsidespending/summ.php?cycle=2004&disp=R&pty=A&type=H |access-date=August 15, 2011 |archive-date=August 6, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180806024402/http://www.opensecrets.org/outsidespending/summ.php?cycle=2004&disp=R&pty=A&type=H |url-status=dead }}</ref> The [[National Republican Congressional Committee]] spent $1,085,956 in the race. The [[Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee]] spent $1,296,402.<ref>{{cite web |title=Congressional Elections: New Mexico District 01 Race: 2004 Cycle |publisher=[[OpenSecrets]] |url=http://www.opensecrets.org/races/indexp.php?cycle=2004&id=NM01 |access-date=August 15, 2011}}</ref>

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.<ref name="Delay's PAC">[http://blog.washingtonpost.com/capitol-briefing/2007/05/delays_pac_closes_shop.html "DeLay's PAC closes shop"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110523075823/http://blog.washingtonpost.com/capitol-briefing/2007/05/delays_pac_closes_shop.html |date=May 23, 2011 }}, ''[[Washington Post]]'', May 1, 2007</ref> Wilson returned the $10,000 donation from ARMPAC.<ref>{{cite news|title=DeLay's PAC gave money to NM reps; Wilson returned it|work=New Mexico Business Weekly|date=September 30, 2005|first=Jason|last=Trenkle |url=http://albuquerque.bizjournals.com/albuquerque/stories/2005/09/26/daily25.html|access-date=March 25, 2007}}</ref>

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."<ref>{{cite news|last1=Navrot |first1=Miguel|title=House Race Is Close, Intense With Both Wilson, Romero on Attack|url=https://www.abqjournal.com/elex/243942elex10-17-04.htm|work=Albuquerque Journal|date=October 17, 2004}}</ref>

Wilson won the election by eight points.<ref name=":3" />

;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.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://elections.us.reuters.com/top/news/usnN31248778.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20070610192831/http://elections.us.reuters.com/top/news/usnN31248778.html |url-status=dead|title=House control in range for Democrats: Reuters poll |last=Whitesides|first=John |date=November 1, 2006|archive-date=June 10, 2007}}</ref> Wilson won the election by 875 (out of 211,000) votes, or 0.4%<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2006/pages/results/states/NM/|title=CNN 2004 election results|access-date=February 6, 2008}}</ref>

=== Tenure ===
Wilson was the first woman to represent New Mexico since [[Georgia Lusk]] in the 1940s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=L000519 |title=Lusk, Georgia Lee, Biographical information |publisher=[[Biographical Directory of the United States Congress]] |access-date=August 13, 2011}}</ref> She served as a member of the [[Republican Main Street Partnership]], a coalition of centrist Republican leaders.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.republicanmainstreet.org/members.htm |title=Republican Main Street Partnership Website|access-date=October 5, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928062633/http://www.republicanmainstreet.org/members.htm |archive-date=September 28, 2007}}</ref> Wilson has appeared on [[HBO]]'s ''[[Real Time with Bill Maher]]''.<ref>{{cite web|date=September 19, 2003 |url=http://www.billmaher.com/?page_id=188 |title=Broadcast Transcript |publisher=[[Bill Maher]] |access-date=September 29, 2007}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/107-2002/h455|title=H.J.Res. 114 (107th): Authorization for Use of Military Force Against ... -- House Vote #455 -- Oct 10, 2002|website=GovTrack.us|language=en|access-date=2018-10-22}}</ref>

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 [[Medicare Part D|prescription drug plan]], criticizing [[United States Secretary of Defense|Secretary of Defense]] [[Donald Rumsfeld]] about the failure to properly respond to violations of the [[Geneva Conventions]] during an [[Abu Ghraib torture and prisoner abuse|Abu Ghraib]] hearing, and opposing a move by House Republicans to protect [[Tom DeLay]] from his [[Tom DeLay campaign finance investigation|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.<ref name="AJ121704">{{cite web|date=December 17, 2004|author=Coleman, Michael |url=http://www.abqjournal.com/news/washington/273967nm12-17-04.htm|title=Wilson Scrambling To Keep Energy Seat|publisher=[[Albuquerque Journal]]|access-date=October 6, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=January 27, 2005|author=Fleck, John |url=http://www.abqjournal.com/news/state/297493nm01-27-05.htm|title=Wilson Will Return to Intelligence Panel|publisher=[[Albuquerque Journal]]|access-date=October 6, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=January 30, 2005|author=Coleman, Michael |url=http://www.abqjournal.com/news/xgr/298811xgr01-30-05.htm|title=N.M. Delegation Heads to Capitol With High Hopes|publisher=[[Albuquerque Journal]]|access-date=October 6, 2007}}</ref>

;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 [[Commit (motion)|Motion to Recommit]] the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (HR&nbsp;1).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.congress.gov/108/crpt/hrpt391/CRPT-108hrpt391.pdf |title=Conference Report ON H.R. 1, Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 – (House of Representatives – November 21, 2003) |date=November 21, 2003 |access-date=November 24, 2019}}</ref> 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.<ref name="NYTimesDecency">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/02/12/us/review-of-tv-decency-law-looks-beyond-bared-breast.html?pagewanted=2&src=pm|title=Review of TV Decency Law Looks Beyond Bared Breast|last=Janofsky|first=Michael |date=February 12, 2004|work=New York Times|access-date=October 30, 2011}}</ref> During the hearing, Wilson denounced executive [[Mel Karmazin]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CHRG-108hhrg92537/pdf/CHRG-108hhrg92537.pdf |title=The Broadcast Decency Enforcement Act of 2004 |publisher=Government Printing Office |date=February 11, 2004 |access-date=October 30, 2011}}</ref> 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."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyIn6eay9Mw |title=NM Republican Heather Wilson's "Nipplegate" commentary |publisher=YouTube.com |date=November 3, 2006 |access-date=October 30, 2011}}</ref> The bill, H.R. 3717,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/house-bill/3717 |title=Bill Summary & Status 108th Congress (2003-2004) H.R.3717 |date=March 26, 2004 |publisher=Library of Congress |access-date=October 30, 2011 }}</ref> passed the House of Representatives on March 26, 2004, by a vote of 391–22–1.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/house-passes-broadcast-decency-bill |title=House Passes Broadcast Decency Bill |publisher=FoxNews.com |date=March 11, 2004 |access-date=October 30, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080726033444/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,113951,00.html |archive-date=July 26, 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref>

;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 controversy|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."<ref>{{cite news |last=Lichtblau |first=Eric |author2=Scott Shane |title=Republican Who Oversees N.S.A. Calls for Wiretap Inquiry |url=https://nytimes.com/2006/02/08/politics/08nsa.html?hp&ex=1139461200&en=cabc2935edc1c5a4&ei=5094&partner=homepage |work=New York Times |date=February 8, 2006}}</ref>

;Terminated U.S. attorney
{{main|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 (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.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.mcclatchydc.com/staff/marisa_taylor/story/15698.html |title=Sources: GOP lawmakers tried to influence federal investigation|publisher=[[McClatchy Newspapers]]|date=March 1, 2007|first=Marisa|last=Taylor|access-date=March 16, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081012162800/http://www.mcclatchydc.com/staff/marisa_taylor/story/15698.html |archive-date=October 12, 2008}}</ref><ref name="abqjournalApr07">{{cite news |title=Domenici Sought Iglesias Ouster |first=Mike |last=Gallagher|date=April 15, 2007|url=http://www.abqjournal.com/news/special/554986nm04-15-07.htm |work=The Albuquerque Journal}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/06/AR2007030600192.html|title=Statement from Congresswoman Heather Wilson |newspaper=[[Washington Post]]|date=March 5, 2007|first=Heather|last=Wilson|access-date=March 16, 2007}}</ref> In July 2007, the [[United States House Committee on Ethics]] decided not to proceed with any investigation of Wilson.<ref name="NMPOL2">{{cite web |url=http://www.nmpolitics.net/index/2011/03/wilson-formally-enters-u-s-senate-race/ |title=Wilson formally enters U.S. Senate race |date=March 7, 2011 |access-date=August 14, 2011}}</ref> The Justice Department also did a review and the matter was thereafter closed.<ref name="NMPOL">{{cite news|url=http://www.abqtrib.com/news/2007/jul/31/house-ethics-panel-talking-iglesias/|title=House Ethics Committee to ask Iglesias about call from Heather Wilson|date=July 31, 2007|work=Albuquerque Tribune |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120406050648/http://www.abqtrib.com/news/2007/jul/31/house-ethics-panel-talking-iglesias/ |archive-date=April 6, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>

;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 [[Federal executive department|cabinet department]].<ref name="ontheissues">{{Cite web|url=http://www.ontheissues.org/House/Heather_Wilson.htm#Environment|title=Heather Wilson on the Issues|last=Issues2000.org |website=ontheissues.org|access-date=May 16, 2017}}</ref>

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.<ref name="ontheissues" />

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.<ref name="ontheissues" />

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<ref name="LCVAF">{{cite web |url=http://www.lcv.org/media/press-releases/LCV-Names-Next-7-Dirty-Dozen-Members.html |title=LCVAF Names Next 7 "Dirty Dozen" Members |date=June 13, 2006 |access-date=August 18, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927173450/http://www.lcv.org/media/press-releases/LCV-Names-Next-7-Dirty-Dozen-Members.html |archive-date=September 27, 2011}}</ref> of members of Congress targeted for defeat by the LCV in the 2006 elections.<ref name="LCVAF" /> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NM Farmers Condemn Wilson's Poor Farm Conservation Record |url=https://www.lcv.org/newsroom/press-releases/nm-farmers-condemn-wilsons-poor-farm-conservation-record.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110527145558/https://www.lcv.org/newsroom/press-releases/nm-farmers-condemn-wilsons-poor-farm-conservation-record.html |archive-date=2011-05-27 |website=League of Conservation Voters}}</ref>

=== Committee assignments ===
* [[United States House Committee on Energy and Commerce]], [[105th Congress]] (1997–1998) until her retirement after the [[110th Congress]] (2007–2008).<ref name="r2">{{cite web|url=http://www.gpoaccess.gov/cdirectory/browse.html|title=Congressional Directory |date=December 8, 2009|publisher=gpoaccess.gov|access-date=August 13, 2011|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110812141614/http://www.gpoaccess.gov/cdirectory/browse.html|archive-date=August 12, 2011}}</ref>
** [[United States House Energy Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality|Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality]]
** [[United States House Energy Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials|Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials]]
** [[United States House Energy Subcommittee on Health|Subcommittee on Health]]
** [[United States House Energy Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet|Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet]]
* [[United States House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence]], [[106th Congress]] (1999–2000), [[109th Congress]] (2005–2006), and [[110th Congress]] (2007–2008)
** [[United States House Intelligence Subcommittee on Technical and Tactical Intelligence|Subcommittee on Technical and Tactical Intelligence]] (Chair & Ranking Member)
** [[United States House Intelligence Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations|Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations]]
* [[United States House Committee on Armed Services]], [[107th Congress]] (2001–2002) and [[108th Congress]] (2003–2004)

== 2008 U.S. Senate campaign ==
{{main|2008 United States Senate election in New Mexico}}
Wilson was defeated in a June 3, 2008, primary against Congressman [[Steve Pearce (politician)|Steve Pearce]] by a margin of 51% to 49%,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sos.state.nm.us/08PrimResults/StatewidePrim08.pdf|title=Canvass of Returns of Primary Election Held on June 3, 2008 – State of New Mexico|website=New Mexico Secretary of State|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161022090124/http://www.sos.state.nm.us/08PrimResults/StatewidePrim08.pdf|archive-date=October 22, 2016|url-status=dead|access-date=May 15, 2017}}</ref> and would later endorse Pearce's candidacy.<ref>{{cite web
|date=March 17, 2008|url=http://www.abqjournal.com/news/breaking/apsenrace06-04-08.htm|title=State Republican Pre-Primary Convention Results|publisher=[[Republican Party of New Mexico]]|access-date=May 27, 2008}}</ref> In the general election, Pearce was overwhelmingly defeated by Congressman [[Tom Udall]], 61% to 39%.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.php?id=NMS2&cycle=2008 |title=Congressional Elections: New Mexico Senate Race: 2008 Cycle |publisher=[[OpenSecrets]] |access-date=August 15, 2011}}</ref>

== 2012 U.S. Senate campaign ==
{{Main|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.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/18/AR2011021807559.html|title=Bingaman won't run for Senate in 2012|date=February 19, 2011|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=May 16, 2017|issn=0190-8286}}</ref> 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%.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/2012-election/results/senate/new-mexico/|title=2012 New Mexico Senate Results|website=Politico|access-date=May 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170714113617/http://www.politico.com/2012-election/results/senate/new-mexico/|archive-date=July 14, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Academic career==
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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sdsmt.edu/About/History/History-of-the-Presidency/|title = South Dakota School of Mines and Technology}}</ref> 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==
{{expand section|date = March 2019}}
[[File:Heather Wilson official photo.jpg|thumb|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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/heather-wilson-sworn-in-as-air-force-secretary-during-emotional-ceremony/article/2623282|title=Heather Wilson sworn in as Air Force secretary during emotional ceremony|author=Giaritelli, Anna|newspaper=[[The Washington Examiner]]|date=May 16, 2017|access-date=May 16, 2017}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/1183103/heather-wilson/|title=HEATHER WILSON > U.S. Air Force > Biography Display|website=www.af.mil|access-date=2020-01-21}}</ref>

On March 8, 2019, Wilson announced she would resign from this position to be President of the [[University of Texas at El Paso]].<ref name = Politico19/>

== Business career ==
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 [[United States Department of Energy|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.<ref name="Dixon1">{{cite news|first=Darius |last=Dixon|title=DOE IG flags $450K in payments to Heather Wilson's firm|date=June 11, 2013 |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2013/06/ig-faults-payments-to-ex-rep-wilson-92572.html|work=[[Politico]]|access-date=June 12, 2013}}</ref> 

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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.elpasoinc.com/news/local_news/utep-president-heather-wilson-appointed-to-lockheed-martin-board/article_c7623470-19e5-11ef-9e55-ab4128fd2ef5.html#:~:text=Lockheed%20Martin%20Corp.%2C%20America's%20largest,El%20Paso%20in%20April%202019|title=Wilson Named to Lockheed Martin Board|date=May 24, 2024 |access-date=June 5, 2024}}</ref> She also serves on the boards of Google Public Sector and the Texas Space Commission.

== Personal life ==
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.<ref>{{cite web|title=Biography: Heather Wilson, President|url=http://www.sdsmt.edu/About/Office-of-the-President/Biography/|publisher=South Dakota School of Mines|access-date=January 24, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170125184704/http://www.sdsmt.edu/About/Office-of-the-President/Biography/|archive-date=January 25, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>  Their adopted son, Scott Alexander Hone, died in 2023.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/abqjournal/name/scott-hone-obituary?id=53920987 | title=Scott Hone Obituary (1970 - 2023) - Albuquerque, NM - Albuquerque Journal | website=[[Legacy.com]] }}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Women in the United States House of Representatives]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Sister project links}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20121101145415/http://heatherwilson.com/ Heather Wilson for Senate] official campaign website
* {{CongLinks | congbio=w000789 | votesmart= | fec=H8NM01174 | congress= }}
* {{C-SPAN|55940}}
* [http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2006/07/13/MNG20JU7DK1.DTL House Eyes National Toxics Law] Zachary Coile, ''SF Chronicle'', July 13, 2006.
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyIn6eay9Mw Heather Wilson's comments during the hearing concerning the Super Bowl halftime show controversy] YouTube clip of Heather Wilson at House FCC Hearing

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