Political career

Wilson decided to enter politics and in 1940 he narrowly defeated New Deal Democrat incumbent Eugene B. Crowe 71,624–69,227 and was elected as the Republican Representative for Indiana's 9th congressional district. He served in the United States Congress until 1958, when he was defeated by Earl Hogan for reelection. In 1960, he defeated Hogan and was returned to Congress in 1961. Wilson won reelection in 1962.]. In 1964 Wilson was defeated for reelection by Democrat Lee Hamilton 74,939 – 62,780.^[3] Wilson did not vote in favor of the Civil Rights Acts of 1957 and 1964,^[4][5] despite voting in favor of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 in the first House vote on February 10, 1964.^[6] However, he voted present on the 24th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.^[7]

While in Congress, Wilson was influential in moving Samuel Woodfill's body from Madison, Indiana to Arlington National Cemetery.

Later career and death

After his loss to Hamilton in 1964 Wilson was elected to the Indiana State Senator serving there from 1969 to 1976. He was a resident of Bedford, Indiana, until his death on April 27, 1990.