Topic: Heather Wilson

Heather A. Wilson (born December 30, 1960), is a former Republican member of the United States House of Representatives representing New Mexico's 1st congressional district from 1998 to 2009. She is the second female veteran to have been elected to Congress. Much of Wilson's legislative focus has been on national security issues. She opted not to run for re-election to the House in 2008 and sought the U.S. Senate seat of retiring Senator Pete Domenici but finished second in the Republican primary to Congressman Steve Pearce, who then lost the general election to Democrat Tom Udall. On March 7, 2011, she announced another run for Senate in 2012 to replace retiring Senator Jeff Bingaman.

Born in Keene, New Hampshire, Wilson joined the United States Air Force at the age of seventeen, graduating four years later as a Distinguished Graduate (magna cum laude equivalent) from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1982. The first female Rhodes Scholar, she continued her education at Jesus College, Oxford University, earning a D.Phil.. in International Relations.

Upon leaving the Air Force in 1989, Wilson became Director for European Defense Policy and Arms Control on the National Security Council. After leaving government, she founded Keystone International, Inc. in 1991 to promote business development in the United States and Russia. She was the Secretary of the New Mexico Children, Youth and Family Department under Governor Gary Johnson.