R. J. Wilson 3rd District Kansas State Representative Biography

NAME:  Wilson, Robert J. (R.J.)

OCCUPATION:   Member, Kansas Legislature, Kansas House of Representatives' Assistant Democratic Leader. Grant writing consultant, Pittsburg, KS.

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND:  Bachelor of Arts, Pittsburg State University, Political Science with a minor in Communications and Public Relations. 1995.

INTERESTS/ACTIVITIES:  Interested mostly in his family: his wife Julie who has just delivered their second child, and their two year old son, Jameson. Interested in programs and services which benefit the needs of Kansas children, especially at-risk children. Member of the Board of Directors of Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Crawford County; a member of the Pittsburg Kiwanis Club (the largest club in the state) which is dedicated to putting children first; and a Volunteer for the YouthFriends Program in local schools. Interested in the furtherance of the values which promote our young people to higher education. Serving first term as a Commissioner of the Midwest Higher Education Commission and an active committee member with the Council of State Governments. Active in helping our young people make a difference in their community through the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Foundation serving as the Immediate Past State Chairman for that organization. HOBY brings 150 of the most outstanding high school sophomores in the state together for a four day, volunteer driven, youth leadership conference. Active also in youth and collegiate athletics as a booster, a former coach and an all around fan of our state's children and young adults. Also active in involving young people in the political process through the Kansas Young Democrats and the Young Democrats of America, serving as the Midwest Region Director for YDA. Interested in re-learning to play the guitar and chasing a golf ball in his rare free time.

OTHER INFORMATION:  R.J. Wilson is serving his neighbors and his community in his second term as a member of the Kansas House of Representatives. He has been elected by the members of the Democratic Caucus to serve as the Assistant Leader for the 2003-2005 session. R.J. left his position as a radio station sports program director to dedicate his time to running for his current leadership position. R.J. is a native of Pittsburg, attending St. Mary's-Colgan schools and later Pittsburg State University where he earned a degree in political science. He has worked seasonally in politics since 1990 and has also served as the chief fund-raiser for a developmental disability organization in southeastern Kansas; as the executive director of the Kansas Democratic Party; and as the head women's fast pitch softball coach and sports information director at Independence Community College for three years before diving headlong into elected office in 2000. R.J. is married to Julie Jameson, also a native of Pittsburg. Julie and R.J. are the proud parents of a 2 year old boy named Jameson and they are expecting their second child in early August.