J. C. Watts

Watts was born in Eufaula in McIntosh County, Oklahoma{{cite dictionary|title=J. C. Watts, Jr.|dictionary=Biographical Directory of the United States Congress|url=http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=W000210|access-date=March 19, 2009}} to J. C. "Buddy" Watts Sr., and Helen Watts (d. 1992).{{cite news|last=Fulwood|first=Sam III|title=Republicans Cast Watts as Leader, Healer|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=February 22, 1999|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-feb-22-mn-10511-story.html|access-date=March 19, 2009}} His father was a Baptist minister, cattle trader,{{cite news|last=Schmitt|first=Eric|title=Public Lives; A Rising Republican Star, and Very Much His Own Man|newspaper=The New York Times|date=February 21, 2000|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9500E1DA1430F932A15751C0A9669C8B63|access-date=March 19, 2009}} the first black police officer in Eufaula,{{cite news|last=Seelye|first=Katharine Q.|title=G.O.P., After Fumbling in '96, Turns to Orator for Response|newspaper=The New York Times|date=February 5, 1997|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E03EFD61F3DF936A35751C0A961958260&pagewanted=all|access-date=March 19, 2009}} and a member of the Eufaula City Council.{{cite news|last=Rhoden|first=William C.|title=Sports of The Times; Watts Now Excels on a Different Field|newspaper=The New York Times|date=December 17, 2000|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9804E7D81439F934A25751C1A9669C8B63&pagewanted=all|access-date=March 19, 2009}} His mother was a homemaker.{{cite web|title=J. C. Watts Jr.|publisher=Office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives|url=http://baic.house.gov/member-profiles/profile.html?intID=50|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130215020114/http://baic.house.gov/member-profiles/profile.html?intID=50|archive-date=February 15, 2013}} Watts is the fifth of six children and grew up in a poor rural African-American neighborhood.{{cite news|last=Thomas|first=Jo|title=Rising Congressional Leader Experienced in Self-Defense|newspaper=The New York Times|date=November 16, 1998|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940CE6DA1131F935A25752C1A96E958260&pagewanted=all|access-date=March 19, 2009}} He was one of two black children who integrated the Jefferson Davis Elementary School in Eufaula and the first black quarterback at Eufaula High School.

While in high school, Watts fathered a daughter with a white woman, causing a scandal.{{cite news|last=Fineman|first=Howard|title=Four Eyes On The Prize|work=Newsweek|url=http://www.jessejacksonjr.org/issues/i090897116.html|date=November 8, 1997|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928040700/http://www.jessejacksonjr.org/issues/i090897116.html|archive-date=September 28, 2007}} Their families decided against an interracial marriage because of contemporary racial attitudes and Watts' family provided for the child until she could be adopted by Watts' uncle, Wade Watts, a Baptist minister, civil rights leader and head of the Oklahoma division of the NAACP.

He graduated from high school in 1976 and attended the University of Oklahoma on a football scholarship.{{cite news|last=Holmes|first=Steven A.|title=2 Black G.O.P. Lawmakers in House Differ Slightly on Affirmative Action|newspaper=The New York Times|date=August 6, 1995|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=990CE3DE1231F935A3575BC0A963958260&pagewanted=all|access-date=March 19, 2009}} In 1977, Watts married Frankie Jones, an African-American woman with whom he had fathered a second daughter during high school.

Watts began his college football career as the second-string quarterback and left college twice, but his father convinced him to return, and Watts became starting quarterback of the Sooners in 1979 and led them to consecutive Orange Bowl victories. Watts graduated from college in 1981 with a Bachelor of Arts in journalism. Watts was selected by the New York Jets of the National Football League in the eighth round of the 1981 NFL Draft. The Jets tried Watts at several positions and could not guarantee that he would play quarterback, so he opted to sign with the CFL's Ottawa Rough Riders. As Ottawa's quarterback, he helped the team reach the 1981 Grey Cup game, which they nearly won in an upset. Watts stayed with the Rough Riders from 1981 to 1985 and played a season for the Toronto Argonauts before retiring in 1986.

Watts returned to Oklahoma and became a youth minister in Del City and was ordained as a Baptist minister in 1993. He is a teetotaler. Watts opened a highway construction company and later cited discontent with government regulation of his business as reason to become a candidate for public office. Watts' family was affiliated with the Democratic Party and his father and uncle Wade Watts were active in the party, but it did not help Watts when he ran for public office and he changed his party affiliation in 1989, months before his first statewide race. Watts later stated he had first considered changing parties when, as a journalism student, he covered the 1980 U.S. Senate campaign of Republican Don Nickles. Watts' father and uncle continued to strongly oppose the Republican party, but supported him.{{cite magazine|last=Waldman|first=Amy|title=The GOP's Great Black Hope|magazine=The Washington Monthly|date=October 1996|url=http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2001/9610.waldman.html|access-date=May 16, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201135918/http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2001/9610.waldman.html|archive-date=December 1, 2008}} Watts won election to the Oklahoma Corporation Commission in November 1990 for a six-year term as the first African-American elected to statewide office in Oklahoma.{{cite news|last=Verhovek|first=Sam Howe|title=The 1994 Campaign: The Republicans; More Black Candidates Find Places on Republican Ballots|newspaper=The New York Times|date=October 7, 1994|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A07E3D8133DF934A35753C1A962958260&pagewanted=all|access-date=March 19, 2009}} He served as a member of the commission from 1990 to 1995 and as its chairman from 1993 to 1995.

File:JC. Watts.jpg

File:President George H. W. Bush with J.C. Watts and David Boren.jpg George H. W. Bush and David Boren in 1997]]

Watts ran for Congress in 1994 to succeed Dave McCurdy, who had announced his retirement from the House of Representatives to run for the Senate. He positioned himself as both a fiscal and social conservative, favoring the death penalty, school prayer, a balanced budget amendment and welfare reform, and opposing abortion, gay rights, and reduced defense spending. After a hard-fought primary campaign against state representative Ed Apple, Watts won 49 percent to Apple's 48 percent of the vote in August 1994, and 52 percent in the resulting run-off election in September 1994 with the support of Representative Jack Kemp and actor and National Rifle Association president Charlton Heston. Watts started his race against the Democratic nominee, David Perryman, a white lawyer from Chickasha, with a wide lead in several early polls and 92 percent name recognition in one poll. Watts hosted former President George H. W. Bush, U.S. Senator Bob Dole, and Minority Whip Newt Gingrich and focused on welfare reform and the necessity of capital formation and capital gains, as well as a reduction in the capital gains tax as beneficial for urban blacks. Some voters were expected to not vote for Watts because of race, but the editor of a local political newspaper argued Watts' established Christian conservative image and his popularity as a football player would help him win. On November 8, 1994, Watts was elected with 52 percent of the vote{{cite web|title=Election Statistics |publisher=Office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives |url=http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/index.html |access-date=March 19, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070725184700/http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/index.html |archive-date=July 25, 2007 }} as the first African-American Republican U.S. Representative from south of the Mason–Dixon line since Reconstruction.{{cite news|last=Kuharsky|first=Paul|title=Super Bowl XXIX; Former Football Stars Bring Game Plans to Capital|newspaper=The New York Times|date=January 28, 1995|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=990CE6DA103BF93BA15752C0A963958260|access-date=March 19, 2009}} He and Gary Franks of Connecticut were the only two African-American Republicans in the House. Oklahoma's Fourth District at the time was 90 percent white and had been represented by Democrats since 1922.

As Congressman, Watts was assigned to the Armed Services Committee and the Financial Services Committee. Watts emphasized moral absolutes and was considered in line with Republican Speaker Newt Gingrich's agenda, the Contract with America, and at the time was the only African-American who did not join the Congressional Black Caucus.{{cite news|last=Stout|first=David|title=The Republican Transition: Man in the News – Julius Caesar Watts Jr.; A Republican of Many Firsts and Yet a Team Player|newspaper=The New York Times|date=November 19, 1998|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D0DE0DD1430F93AA25752C1A96E958260|access-date=March 19, 2009}} He initially supported ending affirmative action, declaring inadequate education the main obstacle for racial equality, but subsequently opposed legislation banning the practice for the federal government. Watts focused on promoting his party, attending NAACP meetings and meeting with representatives from historically black colleges. In 1995, Watts was named national co-chairman for the presidential campaign of Republican Bob Dole.

Watts' 1996 reelection campaign featured state representative Ed Crocker as the Democratic candidate{{cite news|last=Holmes|first=Steven A.|title=The States and the Issues|newspaper=The New York Times|date=September 26, 1996|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A07EFDD173CF935A1575AC0A960958260|access-date=March 19, 2009}} in a negative campaign. Crocker questioned Watts' business dealings because of tax issues for a real estate company of which Watts was the principal owner, and whether he was paying child support for one of his daughters born out of wedlock. Crocker suggested Watts might use drugs or sanction their use because he declined to participate in a voluntary drug screening in the House of Representatives.{{cite news|last=Lewis|first=Neil A.|title=The States and the Issues|newspaper=The New York Times|date=October 8, 1996|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9807E3DE163EF93BA35753C1A960958260|access-date=March 19, 2009}} Watts denied the charge, took the test, and accused Crocker of draft dodging during the Vietnam War and later living at the "center of the West Coast drug culture." Watts was given a featured speaking role at the 1996 Republican National Convention and was re-elected with 58 percent of the vote in the 1996 U.S. House election.

Following the election, Watts switched from the Financial Services Committee to the House Transportation Committee. He was the only African-American Republican in the House and was chosen to deliver the Republican reply to President Bill Clinton's State of the Union address in February 1997, the youngest congressman and first African-American to do so. In his response, Watts focused on providing a positive vision of the Republican Party and advocated deficit and tax reduction and faith-based values. Watts had previously spoken to The Washington Times and created controversy by criticizing "race-hustling poverty pimps" as keeping African-Americans dependent on government. These remarks were viewed as critical of activist Jesse Jackson and Washington, D.C. mayor Marion Barry, and Jesse Jackson Jr. demanded a public apology. Watts stated he did not speak about Barry and Jackson but about "some of the leadership in the black community."

In his 1998 reelection campaign against Democrat Ben Odom, Watts faced accusations about debts, unpaid taxes and over actions in a federal bribery investigation in 1991, where he arranged to receive campaign contributions from a lobbyist for telephone companies that were investigated during Watts' membership on the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. Odom used portions of a transcript to try to discredit Watts, and the accusations were widely publicized in Oklahoma. Watts argued he had been exonerated from any criminal conduct and that his financial problems were a result of losses for Oklahoma oil and gas businesses during the 1980s. He was re-elected with 62 percent of the vote.

From 1995 until 1997, Watts was only one of two black Republicans in Congress (along with Gary Franks of Connecticut). From 1997 until 2003, Watts was the only black Republican Congressman. There would not be another until the elections of Tim Scott and Allen West in 2010.

In Congress, Watts had established himself as a "devoted conservative."{{cite news|last=Mitchell|first=Alison|title=Congress's Sole Black Republican Is Retiring|newspaper=The New York Times|date=July 2, 2002|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DEFD61631F931A35754C0A9649C8B63|access-date=March 19, 2009}} He had a lifetime 94 percent rating from the American Conservative Union{{cite web|url=http://acuratings.org/ratingsarchive/2002/2002House.htm|title=2002 U.S. House Ratings|publisher=American Conservative Union|access-date=March 18, 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080209140708/http://www.acuratings.org/ratingsarchive/2002/2002House.htm |archive-date = February 9, 2008}} Lifetime average is given. and a lifetime "liberal quotient" of 1 percent from Americans for Democratic Action,{{cite web|url=http://www.adaction.org/pages/publications/voting-records.php|title=Voting Records|publisher=Americans for Democratic Action|access-date=March 19, 2009}} Scores for years 1994 through 1997 were 0, 1998 as 10, and 1999 through 2002 were 0, with an average of 1.25 percent. and was regarded as a team player by Republicans. Watts was elected House Republican Conference Chair in 1998, replacing John Boehner,{{cite news|last=Seelye|first=Katharine Q.|title=The Republican Transition: The Overview; Mix of Old and New Is to Lead House G.O.P.|newspaper=The New York Times|date=November 19, 1998|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9907E6DC1430F93AA25752C1A96E958260|access-date=March 19, 2009}} after a vote of 121–93. Watts assumed the position in 1999 and was the first African-American Republican elected to a leadership post.

File:Paige-Prayer-2001-01-24.jpg (right) as Secretary of Education on January 24, 2001.]]

In his leadership position, Watts opposed government regulations and President Clinton's attempt to restore the ability of the Food and Drug Administration to regulate tobacco products.{{cite news|last=Clymer|first=Adam|title=Clinton Urges Giving F.D.A. Oversight Of Tobacco|newspaper=The New York Times|date=March 26, 2000|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F02EFDE103DF935A15750C0A9669C8B63|access-date=March 19, 2009}} He voted to impeach Bill Clinton, was appointed by Speaker Dennis Hastert to lead a group of House Republicans to investigate cybersecurity issues, and became a member of a presidential exploratory committee for George W. Bush.{{cite news|last=Berke|first=Richard L.|title=Bush Tests Presidential Run With a Flourish|newspaper=The New York Times|date=March 8, 1999|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9506E5D8133FF93BA35750C0A96F958260|access-date=March 19, 2009}} Watts argued for using tax reduction to improve education, job training and housing in poor urban and rural settings, and advocated letting religious institutions carry out the work. Watts worked to make his party more inclusive, promoted African trade, supported historically black colleges and universities, and was opposed to federal funding of embryonic stem cell research.{{cite news|last=Hall|first=Mimi|title=Stem-cell issue splits Republicans|newspaper=USA Today|date=July 9, 2001|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/july01/2001-07-06-stem.htm|access-date=March 19, 2009}}

To keep a majority of House seats in the 2000 election, Watts advised Republicans to moderate their language and criticized the party for creating the perception it favored a view of "family values that excluded single mothers." Watts opposed the Confederate battle flag flying over the South Carolina State House and advised Republicans to go slowly on opposing racial quotas. By then, Watts had become involved in a contest with other members of the Republican House leadership, including Tom DeLay, over control of the party's message and nearly announced retirement in early February 2000, due to strains on his family, who remained in Oklahoma during his tenure in Washington, but changed his mind after consultations with constituents, Hastert, and his family. He ran, despite an earlier pledge to serve not more than three terms.{{cite news|title=Oklahoma GOP Rep. Watts to run again, despite earlier term limits pledge|publisher=CNN|date=January 31, 2000|url=http://archives.cnn.com/2000/ALLPOLITICS/stories/01/31/watts.run/|access-date=March 19, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100213201227/http://archives.cnn.com/2000/ALLPOLITICS/stories/01/31/watts.run/|archive-date=February 13, 2010}} Watts won re-nomination with 81 percent against James Odom{{cite web|title=Primary Election Results 8/22/00 |publisher=Oklahoma State Election Board |url=http://www.ok.gov/~elections/00prisum.html |access-date=March 19, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090202215241/http://ok.gov/~elections/00prisum.html |archive-date=February 2, 2009 }} and was re-elected by his largest margin yet against Democratic candidate Larry Weatherford.

After George W. Bush took office as president, Watts co-sponsored a bill to create tax incentives for charitable donations and allow religious charities to receive federal money for social programs,{{cite news|last=Becker|first=Elizabeth|title=Bill on Church Aid Proposes Tax Incentives for Giving|newspaper=The New York Times|date=March 18, 2001|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E01E5D8123DF93BA25750C0A9679C8B63|access-date=March 19, 2009}} and proposed several new tax reductions in addition to Bush's tax cut plan,{{cite news|last=Rosenbaum|first=David E.|title=Republicans, In New Tactic, Offer Increase In Tax Breaks|newspaper=The New York Times|date=March 15, 2001|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A0CE6DE163DF936A25750C0A9679C8B63|access-date=March 19, 2009}} targeting the estate tax and marriage penalty.{{cite news|last=Page|first=Susan|author2=Keen, Judy |title=Next chapter: Will Bush be able to govern?|newspaper=USA Today|date=December 13, 2000|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/vote2000/pres251.htm|access-date=March 19, 2009}} Watts was one of ten congressional leaders taken to an undisclosed location following the September 11 attacks.{{cite news|last=Raasch|first=Chuck|author2=Abrams, Doug |title=Top congressional leaders rushed to secure location|work=Gannett Company|publisher=USA Today|date=September 11, 2001|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2001/09/11/congress-leaders.htm|access-date=March 19, 2009}}

In 2002, Watts stated he would not seek reelection, citing a desire to spend more time with his family, but stated the decision was difficult because Rosa Parks asked him to stay.{{cite magazine|last=Waller|first=Douglas|title=10 Questions For J.C. Watts|magazine=Time|date=July 10, 2002|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,300629,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080821142417/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,300629,00.html|archive-date=August 21, 2008|access-date=March 19, 2009}} Republicans argued Watts complained about the party message and the cancellation of an artillery system in his district by the Bush Administration, which Watts denied. Watts supported the candidacy of Tom Cole, who won the election to fill his seat.{{cite news|last=Jenkins|first=Ron|title=Watts' Capitol visit stirs speculation|agency=Associated Press|publisher=The Edmond Sun|date=March 3, 2009|url=http://www.edmondsun.com/statenews/local_story_062140943.html|access-date=March 19, 2009|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130121212740/http://www.edmondsun.com/statenews/local_story_062140943.html|archive-date=January 21, 2013}}

File:Watts and Powell.jpeg on September 2, 2003]]

File:J. C. Watts by Gage Skidmore.jpg

After he left Congress, Watts was appointed by President Bush to be a member of the Board of Visitors to the United States Military Academy for a term expiring December 30, 2003.{{cite press release|title=President Bush Announced His Intention to Nominate|publisher=Office of the Press Secretary|date=January 9, 2003|url=https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2003/01/20030109-9.html|access-date=March 19, 2008}} Watts founded a lobbying and consulting firm, J. C. Watts Companies, in Washington, D.C., to represent corporations and political groups and focus on issues he championed in Congress.{{cite news|title=Politics and the Economy; Former Rep. Watts Opens Consulting Firm|newspaper=The New York Times|date=January 8, 2003|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9906E4D8123EF93BA35752C0A9659C8B63|access-date=March 19, 2009}} The John Deere Company hired Watts as lobbyist in 2006 and Watts later invested in a Deere dealership and sought financial support from United States agencies and others for a farm-related project in Senegal.{{cite news|last=Meier|first=Barry|title=Ex-Quarterback Thrives as Lobbyist|newspaper=The New York Times|date=November 11, 2006|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/11/business/11watts.html?&pagewanted=all|access-date=March 19, 2009}} Watts wrote an autobiography, wrote regular opinion columns for the Las Vegas Review-Journal,{{cite news|last=Watts|first=J. C.|title=We'll all pay for this massive spending plan|newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal|date=March 8, 2009|url=http://www.lvrj.com/opinion/40917957.html|access-date=March 19, 2009}} and joined the boards of several companies, including Dillard's,{{cite news|title=Dillard's, Inc. Announces Election of J.C. Watts, Jr. to Board of Directors|work=Business Wire|publisher=Dun & Bradstreet|date=March 4, 2003|url=http://www.allbusiness.com/government/elections-politics-politics-political-parties/5686689-1.html|access-date=March 19, 2009}} Terex,{{cite news|title=Terex Corporation Elects Former Congressman J.C. Watts, Jr. to Its Board|work=Business Wire|publisher=Dun & Bradstreet|date=January 8, 2003|url=http://www.allbusiness.com/government/elections-politics-politics-political-parties/5670502-1.html|access-date=March 19, 2009}} Clear Channel Communications,{{cite news|title=Terex Corporation Elects Former Congressman J.C. Watts, Jr. to Its Board|publisher=Business Wire|date=February 3, 2003|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Former+Congressman+J.C.+Watts+joins+Clear+Channel+Board%3B+Lowry+Mays...-a097180181|access-date=March 19, 2009}} and CSX Transportation,{{Citation needed|date=May 2011}} and served as chairman of GOPAC.{{cite news|title=GOPAC Chairman J.C. Watts, Jr. Travels to Mississippi for GOP Campaign Events on Tuesday, September 30|publisher=U.S. Newswire|date=September 23, 2003|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-13172512.html|access-date=March 19, 2009}}{{dead link|date=February 2019|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

Watts supported the Iraq War in 2003, stating: "America did not become the leader of the free world by looking the other way to heinous atrocities and unspeakable evils."{{cite news|last=Espo|first=David|title=Analysis: A vote with unforeseen consequences?|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=USA Today|date=October 1, 2008|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2008-10-01-484084648_x.htm|access-date=March 19, 2009}} He was later hired as a political commentator by CNN and following the 2006 House election, Watts argued the Republican Party had lost seats because it failed to address the needs of urban areas and did not offer a positive message. He stated: "We lost our way, pure and simple."{{cite news|last=Wolf|first=Richard|title=Republicans of '94 revolution reflect on '06|newspaper=USA Today|date=December 7, 2006|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2006-12-07-gop-1994-2006_x.htm|access-date=March 19, 2009}}

In 2008, Watts announced he was developing a cable news network with the help of Comcast, focusing on an African-American audience,{{cite news|last=Andrews|first=Helena|title=Watts launches African-American channel|publisher=Politico|date=July 17, 2008|url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0708/11806.html|access-date=March 19, 2009}} and that he considered voting for Barack Obama, criticizing the Republican party for failing in outreach to the African-American community.{{cite news|title=Black Republicans consider voting for Obama|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=USA Today|date=June 14, 2008|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-06-14-black-republicans_N.htm|access-date=March 19, 2009}} Reports showed he contributed to John McCain, but not to Obama.{{cite news|last=Jones|first=Del|title=Board diversity expands political spectrum|newspaper=USA Today|date=September 11, 2008|url=https://www.usatoday.com/money/companies/management/2008-08-19-politics-diversity-boards_N.htm|access-date=March 19, 2009}}

Watts considered running to succeed Brad Henry as Governor of Oklahoma in the 2010 gubernatorial election,{{cite news|last=McNutt|first=Michael|title=J.C. Watts vows to decide soon on run|newspaper=The Oklahoman|date=May 7, 2009|url=http://newsok.com/j.c.-watts-vows-to-decide-soon-on-run/article/3367303|access-date=May 18, 2009}} but declined in May 2009, citing his business and contractual obligations.{{cite news|last=Hoberock|first=Barbara|title=Watts will not run for governor|newspaper=Tulsa World|date=May 22, 2009|url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=16&articleid=20090522_298_0_OKLAHO92381|access-date=May 23, 2009}}

On April 7, 2015, Watts joined U.S. Senator Rand Paul on stage during Paul's announcement speech for U.S. president.{{cite news |last1=Killough |first1=Ashley |title=Rand Paul: 'I'm Putting Myself Forward as a Candidate for President' |url=http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/07/politics/rand-paul-president-2016/ |date=April 7, 2015 |publisher=CNN |access-date=April 10, 2015 |quote=The speakers included J.C. Watts, a former congressman who's African-American; state Sen. Ralph Alvarado, who's Hispanic; local pastor Jerry Stephenson, who's African American and a former Democrat; and University of Kentucky student Lauren Bosler.}}

For most of 2016, Watts served as the president and CEO of Feed the Children (FTC). The board of directors announced his appointment on January 21.{{Cite web |url=http://www.feedthechildren.org/press_release/feed-the-children-names-j-c-watts-new-president-and-ceo/ |title=Feed the Children names J.C. Watts new president and CEO |work=Feed the Children |access-date=May 16, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160525132858/http://www.feedthechildren.org/press_release/feed-the-children-names-j-c-watts-new-president-and-ceo/ |archive-date=May 25, 2016 |author=Feed the Children}} On November 15, the organization and Watts announced that he was no longer serving in those roles.{{Cite web |url=http://www.feedthechildren.org/press_release/leadership-change-at-feed-the-children/ |title=Leadership Change at Feed the Children |access-date=November 30, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161201081736/http://www.feedthechildren.org/press_release/leadership-change-at-feed-the-children/ |archive-date=December 1, 2016 }} The following April, Watts sued both FTC and its board of directors for wrongful termination. According to Watts, he was fired after uncovering rampant financial mismanagement at the charity and notifying the state's Attorney General Office of potentially illegal practices. Feed The Children denied there was any validity to Watts' claims and proceeded to file a counter-suit against him. The case was settled in 2019, after FTC agreed to drop their counter-suit and pay Watts $1 million to resolve all his claims against them.{{Cite news |title=Feed the Children settles lawsuit with former president |url=http://oklahoman.com/article/5636920/feed-the-children-settles-lawsuit |date=July 24, 2019 |newspaper=The Oklahoman |access-date=2 December 2020}}

In 2019 Watts began plans to start the Black News Channel,{{Cite web |url=https://www.adweek.com/tvspy/black-news-channel-will-launch-this-fall/214155/|title=Black News Channel Will Launch This Fall|work=TVSpy|date=April 26, 2019|access-date=June 6, 2019}} which launched on February 10, 2020, as a 24-hour news channel aimed at an African American audience.[https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2020/02/10/Former-lawmaker-cable-veteran-launch-24-hour-Black-News-Channel/4581581349608/ Former lawmaker, cable veteran launch 24-hour Black News Channel]. UPI, February 10, 2020. The channel went out of business in April 2022, in the face of lagging cable and satellite provider subscriptions and an unsuccessful 2021 revamp that added commentators at odds with Watts's views.{{cite web |last1=Battaglio |first1=Stephen |title=Shad Khan's Black News Channel is shutting down |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2022-03-25/black-news-channel-shad-kahn-shutting-down |website=Los Angeles Times |access-date=March 25, 2022 |date=March 25, 2022}}

• {{cite book|title=What Color is a Conservative? My Life and My Politics|last=Watts| first=J. C. Jr. |author2=Watson, Chriss |year=2002|publisher=HarperCollins |location=New York |isbn=0-06-093240-6 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SFPvP0pN720C}}

:{{small|Source:}}{{cite web |url=http://www.totalfootballstats.com/PlayerQB.asp?id=1205623 |title=J.C. Watts, qb |work=TotalFootballStats.com |access-date=February 16, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130319044937/http://totalfootballstats.com/PlayerQB.asp?id=1205623 |archive-date=March 19, 2013 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.cfl.ca/page/his_legends_watts |title=History >> CFL Legends >> J.C. Watts |author=Mullick, Rajeev |work=CFL.ca |access-date=February 16, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151014084319/http://www.cfl.ca/page/his_legends_watts |archive-date=October 14, 2015 }}

• List of African-American Republicans
• List of African-American United States representatives

{{reflist|30em}}

{{Commons category}}

{{wikiquote|J. C. Watts}}

• {{cite web|url=http://wattsconsultinggroup.com/|title=J. C. Watts Companies|publisher=Official Company Website}}
• {{cite web|url=http://jcwattsjrfoundation.org/|title=JCWattsFoundation.org|publisher=The J.C. & Frankie Watts Foundation}}
• {{cite web|url=http://webarchives.loc.gov/collections/lcwa0002/20021212012004/http://watts.house.gov/|title=Congressman J.C. Watts Jr.|publisher=Archived congressional website from the Library of Congress}}
• {{cite web|url=http://baic.house.gov/member-profiles/profile.html?intID=50|title=J. C. Watts Jr.|publisher=Office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives|access-date=March 19, 2009|archive-date=February 15, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130215020114/http://baic.house.gov/member-profiles/profile.html?intID=50|url-status=dead}}
• {{C-SPAN|18918}}
• {{CongLinks | congbio=W000210 | votesmart= | fec=H4OK04036 | congress= }}
• {{IMDb name|id=1728100|name=J.C. Watts}}

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