David Wu
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Oregon's 1st district
In office
January 3, 1999 – August 3, 2011
Preceded byElizabeth Furse
Succeeded bySuzanne Bonamici
Personal details
Born (1955-04-08) April 8, 1955
Hsinchu, Taiwan
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse
Michelle Reinmiller
​
​
(m. 1996; div. 2009)​
EducationStanford University (BS)
Harvard University
Yale University (JD)
Signature
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese吳振偉
Simplified Chinese吴振伟

David Wu (born April 8, 1955) is an American politician who served as the U.S. representative for Oregon's 1st congressional district from 1999 to 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party.

Born in Taiwan and immigrated to the United States as a child, Wu was the first Taiwanese American[1] to serve in the House of Representatives. Wu announced that he would resign from office following resolution of the 2011 debt ceiling crisis, days after an 18-year-old woman left a voicemail at Wu's campaign office accusing him of an unwanted sexual encounter.[2][3] Wu acknowledged the encounter and said it was consensual.

Wu submitted his resignation on August 3, 2011. A special election was held on January 31, 2012, to fill the vacancy in advance of the regular 2012 election.[4] Democrat Suzanne Bonamici defeated Republican challenger Rob Cornilles to win this special election.

Since his resignation, Wu has remained in the Washington, D.C. area. He has been raising money for local Democratic parties, and organizing student exchange programs between the Chinese and American space programs. According to a 2014 report, he still frequents the House offices, where he visits with friends, sometimes sits in on hearings and even goes onto the House floor.[5]

Early life and education

Wu was born in Hsinchu, Taiwan. His parents were from Suzhou in Jiangsu province and settled in Taiwan due to the Chinese Civil War. The family moved to the United States in 1961.[6][7] Wu spent his first two years in the U.S. in Latham, New York, where his family were the only Asian Americans in town.[8]

Wu received a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Stanford University in 1977 and attended Harvard Medical School for a time, sharing an apartment with future-United States Senator Bill Frist.[9] Wu did not complete his medical studies. Instead, he attended Yale Law School where he was awarded a Juris Doctor degree in 1982.

Law career

Wu served as a clerk for a federal judge. In 1984, he joined the Miller Nash law firm.[10] In 1988, he co-founded the law firm of Cohen & Wu.[10] The firm focused on representing clients in Oregon's high-tech development sector, centered on "Silicon Forest."

U.S. Congressman

Elections

Wu was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1998, succeeding Democrat Elizabeth Furse. He narrowly defeated Republican Molly Bordonaro by a little over 7,100 votes. He won re-election in 2000, defeating state senator Charles Starr in the November election with 58% of the vote to 39% for Starr.[11] Redistricting after the 2000 census made the 1st considerably more Democratic, notably by adding a small portion of Multnomah County. Wu won re-election in 2004 over Republican Goli Ameri; in 2006 over Oregon state representative Derrick Kitts and two minor party candidates; and in 2008 with no Republican candidate running, he captured 72% of the vote to win a sixth term over four minor party candidates. He faced his most difficult reelection test in 2010, defeating Republican challenger Rob Cornilles with 54% of the vote.

Tenure

Wu in 2004

Wu was a member of the New Democrat Coalition (NDC), a group of moderate Democrats in the House. In 2009, he received a 100 percent rating from NARAL Pro-Choice America.[12] He was also a member of the executive board for the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus and served as chair from January 2001 to January 2004.

Wu funded virus research at the Oregon Health and Science University that may be the first effective treatment and vaccine for AIDS.[13] He authored legislation to promote research and product development by small businesses using a portion of federal research grants.[14] Wu was a staunch supporter of science and research at both the basic and applied levels.

In the House, Wu was known for taking a strong stand on human rights and the rule of law, sometimes at the risk of his own seat.[15] He opposed granting Most Favored Nation (MFN) trading status to China (renamed later as "Normal Trade Relations"), citing human rights violations and predicting that the trade deficit with China would balloon under the legislation.[16] The two largest employers in his Congressional District, Nike and Intel, strongly supported granting MFN status to China.[17] He favored closing the detention center at Guantanamo Bay, citing rule of law concerns.[18]

Wu was a strong advocate for NASA and the space program. He served on the House Science Committee, which has jurisdiction over NASA, and on its Space Subcommittee, then chaired by Congresswoman Gabby Giffords. Wu defended NASA's budget and advocated for NASA goals for space exploration that are not subject to political influence.[19] He viewed student interest in space as a way to promote STEM education, and founded a space camp scholarship program for underprivileged children.[20] Wu continued this effort after he left Congress, and also started a program to send American students to China to learn about its space program. Chinese students were also included in order to promote international cooperation in space.

Perhaps Wu's most enduring legacy is his successful effort with his Washington State colleague Brian Baird to create the Lewis and Clark National Historic Park located at the mouth of the Columbia River.[21] He expanded the Fort Clatsop National Memorial in 2002 and incorporated it into an expanded park in 2004.[22]

Sexual assault allegation and resignation

On July 22, 2011, The Oregonian reported that an 18-year-old woman left a voicemail at Wu's campaign office accusing him of an unwanted sexual encounter. The woman is the daughter of a longtime friend and campaign donor. Wu acknowledged the encounter and said it was consensual.[23][24] House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi called for an ethics investigation into the allegations.[25] Wu initially indicated that he would not resign but would also not seek reelection in 2012.[26] Several days later, however, Wu announced he would resign following resolution of the 2011 US debt ceiling crisis.[2] He resigned on August 3, 2011.[27] This was his second brush with sexual assault allegations. On Oct 12, 2004, The Oregonian published a 3000 word article on a 1976 incident in a dormitory at Stanford University.[28]

Committee assignments

Post-Congress

Wu and his wife Michelle as he is ceremonially sworn in by House Speaker Dennis Hastert, January 1999

In 2014 BuzzFeed reported that Wu was still living in the Washington area. The article noted that he frequently visited the Capitol and House offices to see friends, many of whom were still serving, such as Rep. Peter DeFazio. He also annually attended the Congressional Baseball Game, sometimes sat in on hearings and occasionally ventured onto the House floor, a privilege he is allowed as a former member.[5]

Under the terms of his divorce, Wu explained to BuzzFeed, he must live in the Washington area until his daughter and son have finished high school. His income primarily comes from consulting for Chinese companies seeking to do business in the U.S.; he is also sometimes quoted in the Chinese media about issues such as the Senkaku Islands dispute (he supports China's claim to sovereignty over the islands, currently administered by Japan).[29]

Wu is also treasurer of the Education and Opportunity Fund, a political action committee that supports county-level Democratic committees. At the time of BuzzFeed's article, he was trying to organize a student exchange program to allow Chinese and American students to tour the other country's space-program facilities, an exception to the prohibition on cooperation that otherwise exists. He said he eventually intended to return to Oregon.[5]

Personal life

Wu married Michelle Reinmiller in 1996, and they have two children. In December 2009, he filed for separation from his wife, citing irreconcilable differences, and is now divorced.[30] Previously living in Portland, Oregon,[31] Wu lives in the Washington D.C. area with his son, Matt Wu, and daughter.

Electoral history

2004 US House of Representatives, Oregon's 1st congressional district [32]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic David Wu 203,771 57.5
Republican Goli Ameri 135,164 38.1
Constitution Dean Wolf 13,882 3.9
Write-in 1,521 0.4
Total votes 354,338 100%
2006 US House of Representatives, Oregon's 1st congressional district [33]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic David Wu 169,409 62.8
Republican Derrick Kitts 90,904 33.7
Libertarian Drake Davis 4,497 1.7
Constitution Dean Wolf 4,370 1.6
Write-in 447 0.2
Total votes 269,627 100%
2008 US House of Representatives, Oregon's 1st congressional district [34]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic David Wu 237,567 71.5
Independent Joel Haugen 58,279 17.5
Constitution Scott Semrau 14,172 4.3
Libertarian H Joe Tabor 10,992 3.3
Pacific Green Chris Henry 7,128 2.1
Write-in 4,110 1.2
Total votes 332,248 100%
2010 US House of Representatives, Oregon's 1st congressional district [35]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic David Wu 160,357 54.7
Republican Rob Cornilles 122,858 41.9
Constitution Don LaMunyon 3,855 1.3
Pacific Green Chris Henry 2,955 1.0
Libertarian H Joe Tabor 2,492 0.9
Write-in 392 0.1
Total votes 292,909 100%

See also

References

  1. ↑ "David Wu". The Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies. Archived from the original on September 4, 2011. Retrieved February 24, 2011.
  2. 1 2 Pope, Charles; Janie Har; Beth Slovic (July 26, 2011). "Rep. David Wu boxed in by ethics investigation, forced to resign after pressure from colleagues". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on February 27, 2018. Retrieved July 27, 2011.
  3. ↑ Shear, Michael D. (July 26, 2011). "Wu to Resign From Congress". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 21, 2018. Retrieved July 26, 2011.
  4. ↑ Chisholm, Kari (July 25, 2011). "If Wu resigns, what happens? (corrected and updated)". BlueOregon. Archived from the original on February 3, 2014. Retrieved January 27, 2014.
  5. 1 2 3 Nocera, Kate (July 16, 2014). "The Strange Case Of The Congressman Who Resigned And Never Left". BuzzFeed. Archived from the original on July 16, 2014. Retrieved July 16, 2014.
  6. ↑ Lydgate, Chris (August 11, 1999). "A Question of Conscience". Willamette Week. Archived from the original on September 29, 2007. Retrieved September 13, 2006.
  7. ↑ Ilustre, Jennie L. (May 1, 2008). "US Rep. David Wu, Pride of Oregon". Asian Fortune News. Archived from the original on July 6, 2020. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
  8. ↑ Nishioka, Joyce; Janet Dang (July 15, 1999). "David Wu in the House!". Asian Week. Archived from the original on March 18, 2006. Retrieved September 13, 2006.
  9. ↑ www.NationalJournal.com Archived September 7, 2015, at the Wayback Machine
  10. 1 2 "Timeline: The Rise And Fall Of An Oregon Congressman". Archived from the original on March 30, 2018. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
  11. ↑ 2000 U.S. House of Representatives Results. Archived August 20, 2008, at the Wayback Machine U.S. Federal Election Commission. Retrieved April 7, 2008.
  12. ↑ "Representative David Wu (OR)". Philipsburg, MT: Project Vote Smart. November 3, 1998. Archived from the original on November 28, 2010. Retrieved November 29, 2010.
  13. ↑ McNeil, Donald (September 16, 2013). "New Hope for H.I.V. Vaccine". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 14, 2016. Retrieved July 26, 2016.
  14. ↑ "H.R. 5789-SBIR/STTR Reauthorization Act 110th Congress (2007-2008)". Archived from the original on July 5, 2016. Retrieved July 26, 2016.
  15. ↑ Read, Richard (April 17, 2010). "China Press Weekly starts Portland edition amid controversies". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on September 9, 2018. Retrieved February 14, 2017.
  16. ↑ "Testimony for U.S.-China Economy and Security Review Commission" (PDF). United States Government Publishing Office. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 13, 2017. Retrieved February 14, 2017.
  17. ↑ Zeng, Ka. "American Threats and U.S.–China Negotiations over Most-Favored- Nation Status and Market Access" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on October 30, 2015. Retrieved February 14, 2017.
  18. ↑ "H Amdt 197 - Guantanamo Transfer Plan - Key Vote". Archived from the original on February 15, 2017. Retrieved February 14, 2017.
  19. ↑ Pope, Charles (March 7, 2010) (March 8, 2010). "David Wu and space-geeks of Congress fight Obama's NASA plan". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on September 20, 2016. Retrieved August 24, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  20. ↑ Special to The Hillsboro Argus (May 17, 2011) (May 17, 2011). "Wu awards space camp scholarships". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on September 20, 2016. Retrieved August 24, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  21. ↑ "H.R. 3819, Public Law 108-387". Archived from the original on August 26, 2016. Retrieved August 15, 2016.
  22. ↑ "H.R. 2643, Public Law 107-221" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on November 16, 2016. Retrieved August 15, 2016.
  23. ↑ Pope, Charles; Janie Har; Beth Slovic (July 22, 2011). "Sources: Young woman accuses Oregon Rep. David Wu of aggressive, unwanted sexual encounter". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on July 24, 2011. Retrieved July 23, 2011.
  24. ↑ Reeve, Elspeth (July 26, 2011). "It's Not Just the 18-Year-Old: A List of Disturbing Stuff David Wu's Done". The Atlantic. Archived from the original on February 25, 2017. Retrieved February 24, 2017.
  25. ↑ Brady, Jessica (July 24, 2011). "Pelosi Seeks Ethics Investigation of Wu". Roll Call Politics. Archived from the original on October 21, 2011. Retrieved July 25, 2011.
  26. ↑ Bresnahan, John; Allen, Jonathan (July 24, 2011). "Defiant Wu will not resign". Politico. Archived from the original on July 26, 2011. Retrieved July 25, 2011.
  27. ↑ "David Wu resigns from House amid scandal". TheHill. August 4, 2011. Archived from the original on October 17, 2014. Retrieved January 27, 2014.
  28. ↑ "Allegation of assault on woman in 1970s in college shadow U.S. Rep. David Wu". The Oregonian. October 12, 2004. Archived from the original on January 28, 2021. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  29. ↑ Pengfei, Zhang (June 15, 2014). "Former U.S. congressman: Diaoyu Islands part of China". Archived from the original on July 25, 2014. Retrieved July 16, 2014.
  30. ↑ "Congressman Wu files for separation from wife". The Oregonian. December 28, 2009. Archived from the original on January 22, 2011. Retrieved December 29, 2009.
  31. ↑ Congressional Pictorial Directory, One Hundred Eleventh Congress (PDF). Washington: Government Printing Office. 2009. p. 113. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 21, 2020. Retrieved July 6, 2020.
  32. ↑ "Official Results | November 2, 2004". Oregon Secretary of State. Archived from the original on September 10, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  33. ↑ "Official Results | November 7, 2006". Oregon Secretary of State. Archived from the original on September 10, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  34. ↑ "Official Results | November 4, 2008". Oregon Secretary of State. Archived from the original on September 10, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  35. ↑ "Official Results November 2, 2010". Oregon Secretary of State. Archived from the original on August 31, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
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