Shawn D. Wilson is an American politician and transportation official who served as the secretary of the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development from 2016 to 2023. Wilson unsuccessfully ran for governor of Louisiana in 2023 and came in second place to Republican Jeff Landry in a jungle primary receiving 25.9% of the vote.
Early life and career Wilson is from New Orleans. He intended to pursue nursing but changed his path after the death of his father. In 1993, Wilson completed a bachelor's degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. He was president of the Student Government Association and was the student member on the University of Louisiana System board. Wilson earned both a master's degree and Ph.D. in Public Administration from Southern University. His 2015 dissertation was titled A comparative study of transportation decision making by state and locally elected officials in Louisiana. James S. Larson was Wilson's doctoral advisor.
Wilson was executive director of the Louisiana Serve Commission and served as the deputy legislative director for Governor Kathleen Blanco. In 2005, Wilson joined the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development as a confidential assistant to Secretary Johnny Bradberry. In 2007, Wilson was a candidate for Lafayette Parish Council. He lost in a runoff. Wilson served as chief of staff to state transportation secretary William Anker and Sherri LeBas. Wilson was appointed secretary by Governor John Bel Edwards, beginning his term on January 11, 2016. In 2021, Wilson was elected president of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. He is the first African-American to serve in the role.
2023 Louisiana gubernatorial election In December 2022, Wilson established an exploratory committee for the 2023 Louisiana gubernatorial election. On February 15, 2023, Wilson announced that he would be resigning as secretary effective March 4, 2023, which was taken as confirmation that he would run for governor.
On March 6, 2023, Wilson officially launched his campaign for Governor of Louisiana. As the only major Democratic candidate in the race, Wilson garnered the endorsements of incumbent governor John Bel Edwards, the Louisiana Democratic Party, and former 2022 Senate candidate Gary Chambers.
Wilson stood second in the jungle primary with 25 percent of the vote, losing to Republican Jeff Landry. As Landry won over 50% vote in the primary, no runoff was needed.
Electoral history Lafayette Parish Council 2007
Governor of Louisiana 2023
Personal life Wilson and his wife, Rocki, live in Lafayette, Louisiana. They have two children. He is a Progressive Baptist and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
References
External links
Shawn Wilson for Louisiana campaign website
Biography at Ballotpedia