Wilson Withdraws Bid For Approps Seat

Republican Rep. Joe Wilson of South Carolina has withdrawn his name from consideration for a seat on the powerful House Appropriations Committee in order to support Oklahoma Rep. Tom Cole's bid for the slot.

Cole, who chairs the House Republicans' campaign committee, has waged an aggressive bid to fill the seat Mississippi Rep. Roger Wicker will vacate when he joins the Senate.

"Obviously, he's interested in a seat on the Appropriations Committee," Wilson spokesman Ryan Murphy said. "But at this time, he's supporting Congressman Cole."

Wilson will aggressively pursue one of the four seats that should open up on the Appropriations panel in the 110th Congress, Murphy said.