Iconic GOP Congressman Collapses During Event

South Carolina U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson spent a second day in a Washington, D.C., hospital, while his office has offered little detail regarding his condition after doctors reportedly told Wilson’s family the 77-year-old experienced stroke-like symptoms.

No additional details have been made public, and Wilson’s spokesman has not elaborated beyond a brief status update.

“The Congressman continues to be evaluated by medical staff and he is stable,” David Snider, a spokesman for Wilson, told The Post and Courier on Sept. 11.

A statement posted to social media by Wilson’s office late on Sept. 10 confirmed that the veteran lawmaker had suffered a medical emergency and was undergoing evaluation at a local hospital in Washington.

The only specifics about Wilson’s health so far have come from one of the congressman’s sons, South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson.

“Doctors have confirmed to us that he has experienced stroke-like symptoms,” he wrote the evening of the 10th, adding, “I was able to speak with him moments ago and I am incredibly thankful that he is stable and being monitored by medical professionals.”

Since his father’s medical emergency, Alan Wilson has not traveled to Washington to be with his father and mother, a spokesman for his office confirmed.

“He had several things scheduled in Greenville today, and, after talking to his dad and mom last night, decided to stick to his schedule,” his spokesman Robert Kittle said in a text message.

Joe Wilson, who was born in Charleston, has represented South Carolina’s 2nd Congressional District for more than two decades, beginning in 2001 when he won a special election to succeed U.S. Rep. Floyd Spence, who died in office. The district covers the western and central parts of the state. 

He is a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and also serves on the House Armed Services Committee and the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. 

Wilson attracted national attention in 2009 for shouting “You lie!” at then-President Barack Obama during his address to a joint session of Congress. He was formally rebuked by the entire U.S. House for his outburst. Wilson apologized, both in a press release and in a phone call to the White House.

Wilson, a Republican, is seeking reelection and faces Democratic newcomer and Army veteran David Robinson II in the Nov. 5 election for the conservative district that spans Aiken, Barnwell, Lexington, Richland and Orangeburg counties.

Robinson, who is a first-time political candidate, said he has reached out to Wilson’s office, who in turn promised to relay his message to the Wilson family and the campaign.

“We do wish him well, and well wishes for a speedy recovery,” Robinson said. 

For now, Robinson said he is planning to stick to his campaign event schedule and planned to monitor Wilson’s status. On Sept. 11, Robinson had plans to hit the pavement and pass out flyers.

The Wilson campaign did not immediately respond to questions about the status of the reelection effort moving forward and how the incumbent’s schedule has been affected.

Under state law, it is too late for any candidate to have their name withdrawn from the ballot. A spokesman for the state Election Commission confirmed the ballot is legally set and cannot change.

The deadline for candidates to withdraw and have their name removed from the ballot was last week on Sept. 6.