Heather Wilson

Heather Wilson, a 1982 graduate of the Air Force Academy who saw service in Europe, has represented New Mexico’s First Congressional District since winning a special election in June 1998. The first woman since George Lusk in 1948 to serve in Congress from her state, Ms. Wilson also is the first woman veteran to serve in Congress.

A distinguished graduate of the Air Force Academy, Ms. Wilson was a Rhodes Scholar and earned both her masters and doctoral degrees in international relations from Oxford University in England. After leaving the Air Force in 1989, she became director for European Defense Policy and Arms Control on the National Security Council staff at the White House.

In 1991, she founded Keystone International Inc. in Albuquerque to work with senior executives in large American defense and scientific corporations with business development and program planning work in the United States and Russia. From 1995-98, she was Cabinet Secretary of the New New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department.

Among her awards are the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Spirit of Free Enterprise Award, the Information Technology Industry Council Perfect Vote Score, the Watchdog of the Treasury "Golden Bulldog" Award, and the Seniors Coalition Senior Legislative Achievement Award, all of which she received in 2000; and the Hero of the Taxpayer Award in 1999.

Ms. Wilson is married to Jay Hone, an Albuquerque attorney. They have one adult son and two younger children and reside in Albuquerque.