History of Roger Wicker in Timeline

Roger Wicker is an American politician currently serving as the senior United States Senator from Mississippi since 2007. A Republican, he previously served as a U.S. Representative for Mississippi's 1st congressional district from 1995 to 2007 and as a Mississippi State Senator from 1988 to 1995. Before entering politics, Wicker was an officer in the Air Force.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles

July 5, 1951: Roger Wicker Born

On July 5, 1951, Roger Frederick Wicker was born. He later became an American politician, attorney, and Air Force officer.

Others born on this day/year

1969: Graduated from Pontotoc High School

In 1969, Roger Wicker graduated from Pontotoc High School, marking the completion of his secondary education.

1973: Earned Bachelor's Degree

In 1973, Roger Wicker earned a bachelor's degree in journalism and political science from the University of Mississippi.

1975: Earned J.D. Degree

In 1975, Roger Wicker earned a J.D. degree from the University of Mississippi School of Law, completing his formal legal education.

1975: Wicker Marries Gayle Long

Roger Wicker married Gayle Long in 1975.

1976: Jimmy Carter carried the district

In 1976, Jimmy Carter carried the district, representing the only time since 1956 that the district supported the Democratic nominee for president.

1976: Joined the United States Air Force

In 1976, Roger Wicker became an officer in the United States Air Force, marking the start of his military career.

1980: Began political career

In 1980, Roger Wicker began his political career as House Rules Committee counsel to U.S. Representative Trent Lott.

1980: Joined United States Air Force Reserves

In 1980, Roger Wicker transitioned to the United States Air Force Reserves after serving as an officer. He also began working as a political counselor to Congressman Trent Lott.

1980: Member of Air Force Reserve Command

Starting in 1980, Roger Wicker became a member of the Air Force Reserve Command.

1986: Other candidate in election

Larry Cobb ran for US House of Representatives and came fifth with 4,162 votes (15.48%) in 1986.

1987: Elected to Mississippi State Senate

In 1987, Roger Wicker was elected to the Mississippi State Senate, representing the 6th district, which included Tupelo, marking his entry into state politics.

1988: Represented 6th district

In 1988, Roger Wicker began representing the 6th district, which included Tupelo, in the Mississippi State Senate.

1990: Other candidate in election

Bill Bowlin ran for US House of Representatives and took the remaining 1,147 votes (4.27%) in 1990.

1992: Other candidate in election

Clyde E. Whitaker ran for US House of Representatives and came fourth with 4,602 votes (17.12%) in 1992.

1992: United States-Hong Kong Policy Act

The Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act updates the United States–Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992.

1994: Amended state Medicaid bill

In 1994, Roger Wicker amended a state Medicaid bill to authorize the Mississippi Attorney General to contract private attorneys on contingency.

1994: Ran for U.S. House of Representatives

In 1994, Roger Wicker ran to succeed Jamie Whitten in the U.S. House of Representatives, marking a significant step in his congressional career.

1995: President of freshman class

In 1995, Roger Wicker assumed office in the U.S. House of Representatives and became president of the freshman class.

1995: Served in the House of Representatives

In 1995, Roger Wicker began his service in the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Mississippi's 1st congressional district.

2001: Mississippians Vote to Keep State Flag

In 2001, 64% of Mississippians voted to keep the existing state flag in a referendum.

2001: Wicker Supports Invasion of Afghanistan

In 2001, Roger Wicker supported the United States invasion of Afghanistan.

2003: Retired from the Air Force Reserve Command

In 2003, Roger Wicker retired from the Air Force Reserve Command as a lieutenant colonel.

2004: Defeated Reform Party nominee

In 2004, Roger Wicker defeated Reform Party nominee Barbara Dale Washer, receiving 219,328 votes (79.01%).

November 26, 2007: Trent Lott announced resignation

On November 26, 2007, Senator Trent Lott announced his resignation, which would lead to Roger Wicker's appointment to the Senate.

December 18, 2007: Lott vacated Senate seat

On December 18, 2007, Trent Lott officially vacated his Senate seat.

2007: Criticism after securing earmark

In 2007, Roger Wicker faced criticism after securing a $6 million earmark for a defense company whose executives had made significant contributions to his campaign.

2007: Appointed to the Senate

In 2007, Roger Wicker was appointed to the U.S. Senate by Governor Haley Barbour to fill the seat vacated by Trent Lott, transitioning from the House of Representatives to the Senate.

December 31, 2007: Appointed to the Senate

On December 31, 2007, Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour appointed Roger Wicker to fill the Senate seat vacated by Trent Lott.

May 13, 2008: Special election

On May 13, 2008, a special election was held to fill the House vacancy caused by Wicker's resignation, which was won by Democratic nominee Travis Childers.

November 2008: Won special election to Senate

In November 2008, Roger Wicker won the special election against Democrat Ronnie Musgrove for the remainder of Trent Lott's term in the Senate.

2008: Won special election for the Senate

In 2008, Roger Wicker won a special election for the remainder of Trent Lott's term in the Senate, securing his position.

2009: Wicker Introduces Bill Allowing Guns on Amtrak

In 2009, Roger Wicker introduced a bill allowing Amtrak passengers to check unloaded and locked handguns in their luggage. The law passed by a vote of 68–30.

September 16, 2010: Nominated as representative to United Nations

On September 16, 2010, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate Roger Wicker as representative of the United States to the Sixty-fifth Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations.

2012: Worked to enact a bill imposing penalties on Russians

In 2012, Roger Wicker collaborated with Senator Ben Cardin to enact a bill that imposed penalties on Russians accused of human rights violations.

2012: Reelected to Senate

In 2012, Roger Wicker was reelected to a full term in the Senate, continuing his service as a U.S. Senator from Mississippi.

2012: NRA-PVF Endorses Wicker

In 2012, the National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) endorsed Roger Wicker during the election.

2012: Wicker Receives Funding from Oil and Gas Industry

Since 2012, Roger Wicker has received over $200,000 from the oil and gas industry, according to OpenSecrets.

April 2013: Targeted during ricin letters attack

In April 2013, Roger Wicker was among the politicians targeted during the ricin letters bioterrorism attack when a letter addressed to him tested positive for ricin.

April 16, 2013: Letter tested positive for ricin

On April 16, 2013, a letter addressed to Roger Wicker tested positive for the poison ricin, as part of the April 2013 ricin letters bioterrorism attack.

July 2013: Proposed Senate meeting on filibuster rules

In July 2013, Roger Wicker proposed that the Senate meet to discuss a controversial change to filibuster rules.

November 13, 2014: Elected chair of National Republican Senatorial Committee

On November 13, 2014, Roger Wicker was elected chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee for the 114th U.S. Congress.

2014: Introduced Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act

In 2014, Roger Wicker joined Senator Sherrod Brown and Representative Chris Smith to introduce the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act.

2015: Wicker Seeks to Change Mississippi Flag

From 2015 Roger Wicker sought to change the Mississippi flag, calling it offensive to many of his "fellow citizens".

2015: Chaired National Republican Senatorial Committee

In 2015, Roger Wicker became the chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

2015: Wicker Votes Against Climate Change Amendment

In 2015, Roger Wicker was the only U.S. senator to vote against an amendment declaring that climate change is real, with a final vote of 98 to 1.

2015: Wicker Votes Against Mandatory Background Checks

One day after the 2015 San Bernardino attack, Roger Wicker voted against a bill that would make background checks mandatory when a person buys a gun.

March 2016: Declined to consider Obama's Supreme Court nominee

In March 2016, Roger Wicker declined to consider Obama's Supreme Court nominee during a presidential election year.

March 2017: Co-sponsored Israel Anti-Boycott Act

In March 2017, Roger Wicker co-sponsored the Israel Anti-Boycott Act, which aimed to criminalize participation in boycotts against Israel.

December 2017: Wicker's Bipartisan Index Ranking

As of December 2017, Roger Wicker ranked 14th out of 98 in the Bipartisan Index compiled by The Lugar Center, which reflects a low level of partisanship.

2017: Deputy Republican whip

In 2017, Roger Wicker served as deputy Republican whip.

2017: Wicker Votes Against Obama's Executive Action on Gun Control

In 2017, Roger Wicker voted in favor of "a joint resolution of disapproval aimed at former President Barack Obama's executive action requiring the Social Security Administration (SSA) place beneficiaries on the National Instant Criminal Background Check System 'mental defective' list."

2017: Wicker Urges Trump to Withdraw from Paris Agreement

In 2017, Roger Wicker was one of 22 senators to sign a letter to President Trump urging him to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement.

2018: Became Senior Senator

In 2018, Roger Wicker became the senior senator for Mississippi after Thad Cochran resigned.

2018: Wicker Cosponsors United States-Israel Security Authorization Act

In 2018, Roger Wicker cosponsored the United States-Israel Security Authorization Act of 2018, which allocated military funding for Israel regardless of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.

May 2020: Planned to introduce privacy bill

In May 2020, Roger Wicker and a group of Senate Republicans planned to introduce the COVID-19 Consumer Data Protection Act to regulate data collected by COVID-19 contact tracing apps.

September 2020: Supported immediate Senate vote

In September 2020, Roger Wicker supported an immediate Senate vote on Trump's nominee to fill the Supreme Court vacancy caused by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's death.

2020: Wicker Supports Nullifying Vote on Mississippi Flag

In 2020, Roger Wicker supported nullifying the 2001 vote to keep the Mississippi flag and replacing it without a new referendum.

January 6, 2021: Wicker Votes to Certify Election, Capitol Attacked

On January 6, 2021, Roger Wicker initially announced his intention to certify the 2021 United States Electoral College vote count. He was participating in the certification when the U.S. Capitol was attacked by Trump supporters. After the Capitol was secured, Wicker voted to certify the count.

March 2021: Wicker Highlights Restaurant Relief in American Rescue Plan

In March 2021, after Congress passed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, Roger Wicker highlighted on social media that the bill awarded $28.6 billion of "targeted relief" to "independent restaurant operators" to "survive the pandemic", while neglecting to mention that he had voted against the bill.

May 28, 2021: Wicker Votes Against January 6 Commission

On May 28, 2021, Roger Wicker voted against creating an independent commission to investigate the January 6 United States Capitol attack.

December 2021: Wicker Suggests Preemptive Nuclear Strike Against Russia

In December 2021, Roger Wicker stated that the U.S. should consider a preemptive nuclear strike against Russia, saying "we don't rule out first-use nuclear action."

2021: Wicker Criticizes U.S. Withdrawal from Afghanistan

In 2021, Roger Wicker called the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan "one of the biggest foreign policy catastrophes in my lifetime" and suggested a "Korea-like presence" would have been preferable. He also cosponsored legislation to end official diplomatic relations with Afghanistan's new Taliban government.

January 2022: Wicker Comments on Biden's Supreme Court Nominee

In January 2022, after President Joe Biden announced plans to appoint a black woman to the U.S. Supreme Court, Roger Wicker suggested to Mississippi radio host Paul Gallo that the nominee would be a "beneficiary" of an affirmative action "quota", drawing a rebuke from the White House.

February 2022: Wicker Supports No-Fly Zone Over Ukraine

In February 2022, Roger Wicker supported implementing a no-fly zone over Ukraine, an idea that the National Review deemed "a very bad idea".

November 2023: Wicker Initially Supports and Then Withdraws from Foreign Pollution Fee Act

In November 2023, Roger Wicker initially supported the Foreign Pollution Fee Act (S. 3198) before subsequently withdrawing his co-sponsorship.

2023: Wicker's Score from American Conservative Union

In 2023, Roger Wicker received a score of 68% from the American Conservative Union.

February 13, 2024: Wicker Votes for Aid to Ukraine, Taiwan, and Israel

On February 13, 2024, Roger Wicker voted for Schumer's bill to appropriate aid for Ukraine, Taiwan, and Israel. This was characterized as deserting the Republican Party by the Washington Post.

May 2024: Wicker Urges Johnson to Resist Greene's Efforts

In May 2024, Roger Wicker, along with John Thune, and John Cornyn urged Speaker Johnson not to agree to anything with Marjorie Taylor Greene, who was plotting to oust him, in order to save his position.