Another state Representative is leaving the House to run for statewide office. Democratic Rep. Matthew Wilson of Brookhaven is running for Insurance Commissioner, challenging incumbent Republican John King.
State Rep. Matthew Wilson
Representing DeKalb and Fulton Counties in District 80 since 2019, Wilson says he is a consumer rights champion and outspoken advocate who wants to take that fight to the state level. He says he has led progressive fights to “end partisan gerrymandering, ensure ethics in government, stem the tide of gun violence and ban the harmful practice of conversion therapy.” Now he wants to run for State Insurance Commissioner to return the office to the people — “to fight for lower monthly bills and to expand Medicaid.”
Wilson claims that Republican leaders have left millions of federal tax dollars on the table by refusing to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, and denying access to care to over half a million uninsured Georgians.
He also says he will be a consumer advocate who is not “bought and paid for” by powerful insurance companies. On his website, Wilson elaborates, saying, “For the past 25 years, we’ve had Republican insurance commissioners that have been bought and paid for by the companies the office is supposed to regulate. We’ve been left on our own to fight runaway insurance premiums among the most expensive in the country.”
Wilson says he was born and raised “by a working-class family” in Griffin. He is a graduate of the University of Georgia — earning both his undergraduate and law degrees at UGA. Immediately after earning his undergraduate degree, Wilson taught math and science to middle schoolers as part of the national Teach For America program. After returning to UGA law school, he opened his own law practice in Brookhaven.
Wilson lists a number of endorsements on his website, including former Governor Roy Barnes and Cindy Zeldin, a former Democratic candidate for Insurance Commissioner. He also lists numerous Democratic Senators and Representatives, including Sen. Michelle Au of Johns Creek, Sen. Elena Parent of Atlanta, Rep. Erick Allen of Smyrna, Rep. Spencer Frye of Athens and Rep. Bee Nguyen of Atlanta, who has announced that she is running for Secretary of state.
In the House, Wilson serves on the Judiciary, Education and Agriculture & Consumer Affairs committees. He previously served as the legislative director for the State Bar Association.
