David Wu

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American politician (born 1955)

title: "David Wu" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["1955-births", "20th-century-united-states-representatives", "20th-century-oregon-politicians", "21st-century-united-states-representatives", "21st-century-oregon-politicians", "american-presbyterians", "asian-american-people-in-oregon-politics", "democratic-party-united-states-representatives-from-oregon", "harvard-medical-school-people", "living-people", "members-of-the-united-states-congress-of-chinese-descent", "united-states-representatives-of-asian-descent", "naturalized-citizens-of-the-united-states", "people-from-hsinchu-county", "people-from-latham,-new-york", "politicians-from-portland,-oregon", "stanford-university-alumni", "taiwanese-emigrants-to-the-united-states", "yale-law-school-alumni"] description: "American politician (born 1955)" topic_path: "politics" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Wu" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary American politician (born 1955) ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox officeholder"]

FieldValue
nameDavid Wu
imageDavid Wu headshot 2006.jpg
stateOregon
district
term_startJanuary 3, 1999
term_endAugust 3, 2011
predecessorElizabeth Furse
successorSuzanne Bonamici
birth_date
birth_placeHsinchu, Taiwan
partyDemocratic
spouse
educationStanford University (BS)
Harvard University
Yale University (JD)
signatureDavid Wu signature.svg
module{{Infobox Chinese
childyes
t吳
s吴振伟
pWú Zhènwěi
firstt}}
::

|name = David Wu |image = David Wu headshot 2006.jpg |state = Oregon |district = |term_start = January 3, 1999 |term_end = August 3, 2011 |predecessor = Elizabeth Furse |successor = Suzanne Bonamici |birth_date = |birth_place = Hsinchu, Taiwan |death_date = |death_place = |party = Democratic |spouse = |education = Stanford University (BS) Harvard University Yale University (JD) |signature = David Wu signature.svg |module = {{Infobox Chinese |child = yes |t = 吳 |s = 吴振伟 |p = Wú Zhènwěi |first = t}} David Wu (born April 8, 1955) is an American politician who served as the U.S. representative for from 1999 to 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party.

Wu was born in Taiwan and immigrated to the United States, where he graduated from Stanford University, attended Harvard Medical School, and graduated from Yale Law School. He was the first Taiwanese American 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 reports surfaced that an 18-year-old woman had left a voicemail at Wu's campaign office accusing him of an unwanted sexual encounter.{{cite news |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2011/07/rep_david_wu_boxed_in_and_forc.html |title=Rep. David Wu boxed in by ethics investigation, forced to resign after pressure from colleagues |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=July 26, 2011 |last=Pope |first=Charles |author2=Janie Har |author3=Beth Slovic |access-date=July 27, 2011 |archive-date=February 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180227094153/http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2011/07/rep_david_wu_boxed_in_and_forc.html |url-status=live

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. 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.

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. |author = Lydgate, Chris |url = http://www.wweek.com/html/politics081199.html |title = A Question of Conscience |work = Willamette Week |date = August 11, 1999 |access-date = September 13, 2006 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070929092234/http://www.wweek.com/html/politics081199.html |archive-date = September 29, 2007 |df = mdy-all Wu spent his first two years in the U.S. in Latham, New York, where his family were the only Asian Americans in town. |author=Nishioka, Joyce |author2=Janet Dang |url=http://www.asianweek.com/071599/feature_davidwu.html |title=David Wu in the House! |work=Asian Week |date=July 15, 1999 |access-date=September 13, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060318034106/http://www.asianweek.com/071599/feature_davidwu.html |archive-date=March 18, 2006 |df=mdy

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. 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. In 1988, he co-founded the law firm of Cohen & Wu. 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. Redistricting after the 2000 census made the 1st considerably more Democratic, notably by pushing the district further into Portland. The 1st had long included the portion of Portland in Washington County, but the new map pushed it into Multnomah County, taking in almost all of the city west of the Williamette River.

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

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a9/David_Wu_in_2004.jpg" caption="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. 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. He authored legislation to promote research and product development by small businesses using a portion of federal research grants. 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. 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. The two largest employers in his Congressional District, Nike and Intel, strongly supported granting MFN status to China. He favored closing the detention center at Guantanamo Bay, citing rule of law concerns.

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. He viewed student interest in space as a way to promote STEM education, and founded a space camp scholarship program for underprivileged children. 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. He expanded the Fort Clatsop National Memorial in 2002 and incorporated it into an expanded park in 2004.

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. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi called for an ethics investigation into the allegations. Wu initially indicated that he would not resign but would also not seek reelection in 2012. Several days later, however, Wu announced he would resign following resolution of the 2011 US debt ceiling crisis. 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.

Committee assignments

Post-Congress

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3a/Swearing_in_of_David_Wu.jpg" caption="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.

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).

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.

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. Previously living in Portland, Oregon, Wu lives in the Washington D.C. area with his son, Matt Wu, and daughter.

Electoral history

| title = 2004 US House of Representatives, Oregon's 1st congressional district{{cite web | title = Official Results | November 2, 2004 | url = http://records.sos.state.or.us/ORSOSWebDrawer/Recordhtml/6873503 | website = Oregon Secretary of State | access-date = October 30, 2023 | archive-date = September 10, 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230910004416/http://records.sos.state.or.us/ORSOSWebDrawer/Recordhtml/6873503 | url-status = live }}}} | candidate = David Wu | party = Democratic Party (United States) | votes = 203,771 | percentage = 57.5}} | candidate = Goli Ameri | party = Republican Party (United States) | votes = 135,164 | percentage = 38.1}} | candidate = Dean Wolf | party = Constitution Party (United States) | votes = 13,882 | percentage = 3.9}} | votes = 1,521 | percentage = 0.4}} | votes = 354,338 | percentage = 100%}}

| title = 2006 US House of Representatives, Oregon's 1st congressional district{{cite web | title = Official Results | November 7, 2006 | url = http://records.sos.state.or.us/ORSOSWebDrawer/Recordhtml/6873552 | website = Oregon Secretary of State | access-date = October 30, 2023 | archive-date = September 10, 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230910004315/http://records.sos.state.or.us/ORSOSWebDrawer/Recordhtml/6873552 | url-status = live }}}} | candidate = David Wu | party = Democratic Party (United States) | votes = 169,409 | percentage = 62.8}} | candidate = Derrick Kitts | party = Republican Party (United States) | votes = 90,904 | percentage = 33.7}} | candidate = Drake Davis | party = Libertarian Party (United States) | votes = 4,497 | percentage = 1.7}} | candidate = Dean Wolf | party = Constitution Party (United States) | votes = 4,370 | percentage = 1.6}} | votes = 447 | percentage = 0.2}} | votes = 269,627 | percentage = 100%}}

| title = 2008 US House of Representatives, Oregon's 1st congressional district{{cite web | title = Official Results | November 4, 2008 | url = http://records.sos.state.or.us/ORSOSWebDrawer/Recordhtml/6873598 | website = Oregon Secretary of State | access-date = October 30, 2023 | archive-date = September 10, 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230910004214/http://records.sos.state.or.us/ORSOSWebDrawer/Recordhtml/6873598 | url-status = live }}}} | candidate = David Wu | party = Democratic Party (United States) | votes = 237,567 | percentage = 71.5}} | candidate = Joel Haugen | party = Independent (United States) | votes = 58,279 | percentage = 17.5}} | candidate = Scott Semrau | party = Constitution Party (United States) | votes = 14,172 | percentage = 4.3}} | candidate = H Joe Tabor | party = Libertarian Party (United States) | votes = 10,992 | percentage = 3.3}} | candidate = Chris Henry | party = Pacific Green Party | votes = 7,128 | percentage = 2.1}} | votes = 4,110 | percentage = 1.2}} | votes = 332,248 | percentage = 100%}}

| title = 2010 US House of Representatives, Oregon's 1st congressional district{{cite web | title = Official Results November 2, 2010 | url = http://records.sos.state.or.us/ORSOSWebDrawer/Recordhtml/6873642 | website = Oregon Secretary of State | access-date = October 30, 2023 | archive-date = August 31, 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230831080329/http://records.sos.state.or.us/ORSOSWebDrawer/Recordhtml/6873642 | url-status = live }}}} | candidate = David Wu | party = Democratic Party (United States) | votes = 160,357 | percentage = 54.7}} | candidate = Rob Cornilles | party = Republican Party (United States) | votes = 122,858 | percentage = 41.9}} | candidate = Don LaMunyon | party = Constitution Party (United States) | votes = 3,855 | percentage = 1.3}} | candidate = Chris Henry | party = Pacific Green Party | votes = 2,955 | percentage = 1.0}} | candidate = H Joe Tabor | party = Libertarian Party (United States) | votes = 2,492 | percentage = 0.9}} | votes = 392 | percentage = 0.1}} | votes = 292,909 | percentage = 100%}}

References

References

  1. "David Wu". The Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies.
  2. Shear, Michael D.. (July 26, 2011). "Wu to Resign From Congress <!--". The New York Times.
  3. Chisholm, Kari. (July 25, 2011). "If Wu resigns, what happens? (corrected and updated)". BlueOregon.
  4. Nocera, Kate. (July 16, 2014). "The Strange Case Of The Congressman Who Resigned And Never Left". [[BuzzFeed]].
  5. Ilustre, Jennie L.. (May 1, 2008). "US Rep. David Wu, Pride of Oregon". Asian Fortune News.
  6. [http://www.nationaljournal.com/pubs/almanac/2008/people/or/rep_or01.htm www.NationalJournal.com] {{webarchive. link. (September 7, 2015)
  7. "Timeline: The Rise And Fall Of An Oregon Congressman".
  8. [http://www.fec.gov/pubrec/fe2000/orh.htm 2000 U.S. House of Representatives Results.] {{Webarchive. link. (August 20, 2008 U.S. Federal Election Commission. Retrieved April 7, 2008.)
  9. (November 3, 1998). "Representative David Wu (OR)". Project Vote Smart.
  10. (September 16, 2013). "New Hope for H.I.V. Vaccine". The New York Times.
  11. (April 15, 2008). "H.R. 5789-SBIR/STTR Reauthorization Act 110th Congress (2007-2008)".
  12. (April 17, 2010). "China Press Weekly starts Portland edition amid controversies".
  13. "Testimony for U.S.-China Economy and Security Review Commission". United States Government Publishing Office.
  14. "American Threats and U.S.–China Negotiations over Most-Favored- Nation Status and Market Access".
  15. "H Amdt 197 - Guantanamo Transfer Plan - Key Vote".
  16. (March 8, 2010). "David Wu and space-geeks of Congress fight Obama's NASA plan".
  17. (May 17, 2011). "Wu awards space camp scholarships". The Oregonian.
  18. (October 30, 2004). "H.R. 3819, Public Law 108-387".
  19. "H.R. 2643, Public Law 107-221".
  20. Pope, Charles. (July 22, 2011). "Sources: Young woman accuses Oregon Rep. David Wu of aggressive, unwanted sexual encounter". The Oregonian.
  21. Reeve, Elspeth. (July 26, 2011). "It's Not Just the 18-Year-Old: A List of Disturbing Stuff David Wu's Done". [[The Atlantic]].
  22. Brady, Jessica. (July 24, 2011). "Pelosi Seeks Ethics Investigation of Wu". Roll Call Politics.
  23. (July 24, 2011). "Defiant Wu will not resign". Politico.
  24. (August 4, 2011). "David Wu resigns from House amid scandal". TheHill.
  25. (October 12, 2004). "Allegation of assault on woman in 1970s in college shadow U.S. Rep. David Wu". The Oregonian.
  26. Pengfei, Zhang. (June 15, 2014). "Former U.S. congressman: Diaoyu Islands part of China".
  27. (December 28, 2009). "Congressman Wu files for separation from wife". [[The Oregonian]].
  28. (2009). "Congressional Pictorial Directory, One Hundred Eleventh Congress". Government Printing Office.

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