David Wu Biography Quotes 1 Report mistakes

Early Life and Immigration

David Wu was born in 1955 in Taiwan and immigrated to the United States as a child with his family. The move placed him on a path that blended immigrant experience with civic ambition, and he would later become the first Taiwanese American elected to the U.S. Congress. Growing up in the United States, he navigated the dual realities of adapting to a new country while maintaining ties to his heritage, an experience that informed both his political perspective and his approach to representation.

Education

Wu pursued science and the law in his formal education. He earned a degree in biology from Stanford University and then went on to Yale Law School, where he received his law degree. The combination of a scientific foundation and legal training became a hallmark of his later public work, preparing him to engage deeply with technology, research policy, and the legal frameworks that govern innovation and commerce.

Legal Career and Community Ties

After law school, Wu settled in Oregon, where he established his legal career in the Portland metropolitan area. He worked closely with emerging and established companies in the region sometimes known as the Silicon Forest, counseling technology and manufacturing clients. His work connected him to entrepreneurs, engineers, and civic leaders across Washington County and neighboring communities. Those relationships helped him develop a pragmatic, industry-aware view of public policy and seeded the networks that would support his future campaigns.

Entry into Politics

Wu entered electoral politics in the late 1990s, seeking to represent Oregon's 1st congressional district as long-serving Representative Elizabeth Furse prepared to retire. With support from local Democratic leaders and grassroots volunteers, he won the 1998 election to succeed Furse. The general election that year pitted him against Republican candidate Molly Bordonaro, and Wu prevailed in a district that was competitive but trending toward center-left candidates in suburban Portland.

U.S. House of Representatives
Wu took office in January 1999 and would be reelected several times. He served alongside other members of the Oregon delegation such as Earl Blumenauer and Peter DeFazio in the House, and worked with Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and, at different times, Gordon Smith and Jeff Merkley. In Washington, he gravitated toward committees that aligned with his background and district needs, including the House Committee on Science and Technology and the Committee on Education and Labor. When Democrats held the House majority, he chaired the Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation, where he focused on research policy, standards, and the health of the innovation ecosystem.

Policy Focus

Wu's portfolio reflected the priorities of a technology-intensive district. He advocated for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education; supported funding for basic research; and pressed for policies that helped manufacturers and high-tech employers compete. He emphasized workforce development and the importance of strong partnerships between universities, laboratories, and private industry. On foreign policy, he was critical of the decision to invade Iraq and voted against authorizing the war, aligning with many Democratic colleagues who challenged the war's premises during the George W. Bush administration. He also paid attention to consumer protection, privacy, and the implications of emerging technologies, topics often explored in hearings he helped convene or attend.

Elections and Political Relationships

The political terrain of Oregon's 1st district was dynamic, and Wu faced a series of well-funded challengers. In 2004 he defeated Republican Goli Ameri, a race that drew national attention. He won again in 2006 against Derrick Kitts and in 2010 against Rob Cornilles. Throughout these campaigns he worked closely with Oregon Democrats and national party figures, cooperating at various times with House leaders including Nancy Pelosi when Democrats were in the majority and working across the aisle in committee settings under Republican Speakers such as Dennis Hastert and later John Boehner. His relationships within the Oregon delegation were generally collaborative, particularly on regional economic issues and infrastructure needs.

Controversies

Even as he built seniority, Wu's career was complicated by personal and ethical controversies. During the 2004 campaign, decades-old allegations about his conduct in college resurfaced; he issued a public statement acknowledging what he called inappropriate behavior as a young man and asked voters for understanding. Late in 2010 and early 2011, stories emerged about turmoil within his congressional office. Several staff members departed amid concerns about his judgment and well-being, and an unusual photograph he sent to staff drew further scrutiny. In 2011, an allegation surfaced involving an unwanted sexual encounter with the daughter of a donor. The report prompted calls from Democratic leaders in the House for an ethics investigation. With pressure mounting from within his party, including from Nancy Pelosi and other senior Democrats, Wu announced that he would resign.

Resignation and Aftermath

Wu left Congress in 2011, ending more than a decade of service that bridged the late Clinton years, the George W. Bush era, and the first term of Barack Obama. His departure triggered a special election in which fellow Democrat Suzanne Bonamici won the seat, keeping the district under Democratic control. After leaving office, Wu kept a lower public profile. He remained connected to the region he had long represented, but he largely stepped away from the national spotlight that had accompanied his years in Washington.

Legacy

David Wu's career is remembered for milestones and contradictions. As the first Taiwanese American in Congress, he expanded the diversity of national representation and offered a visible example to immigrant communities about civic participation at the highest level. His committee work, especially on science and technology, aligned with the economic fabric of his district and contributed to bipartisan conversations about research, standards, and innovation policy. At the same time, the controversies that culminated in his resignation cast a long shadow over his achievements and reshaped public perceptions of his tenure.

For many Oregonians, Wu's story sits at the intersection of personal ambition, community representation, and accountability. Colleagues such as Elizabeth Furse, whose retirement opened the way for his first campaign, and Suzanne Bonamici, who succeeded him, frame the arc of his time in office. Within the broader Oregon delegation, he worked alongside figures like Earl Blumenauer, Peter DeFazio, Ron Wyden, Gordon Smith, and Jeff Merkley during a period of shifting political currents and rapid technological change. His legacy thus reflects both the promise and the challenges of public service in an era when personal conduct and public trust are inseparable from policy accomplishments.