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Joe Watkins
Host at State of Independence, Former President & CEO Community Council Health Systems
Joe Watkins is a prominent media analyst, pastor, and political figure based in Philadelphia. He is best known as the host of Joe Watkins: State of Independence, a public affairs and interview program that airs on Lighthouse TV. The show, which began in July 2020, focuses on conservative and Christian discussions, emphasizing civility and decency in public discourse.123
Born in 1954, Watkins has a diverse background that includes serving as a former White House aide under President George H.W. Bush. He has also been involved in various political campaigns and served as a Republican candidate for lieutenant governor in Pennsylvania. In addition to his political career, he has held leadership roles in education and charity organizations, and he was the pastor of the Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, the oldest African American Lutheran church in Philadelphia.12
Watkins holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Pennsylvania and a Master's degree from the Princeton Theological Seminary. He is married to Stephanie Taylor Watkins and has three children.12
