The oldest son of controversial congressman Joe Wilson ahd defended his father against a claim by former President Jimmy Carter that the congressman’s outburst during a speech by President Barack Obama was “based on racism.”

“I think it’s based on racism,” Carter said at a town hall at his presidential center in Atlanta Tuesday. “There is an inherent feeling among many in this country that an African-American should not be president.”

It’s a claim those close to Wilson vehemently deny.

“There is not a racist bone in my dad’s body,” said Alan Wilson, an Iraq veteran who is running for state attorney general in South Carolina. “He doesn’t even laugh at distasteful jokes. I won’t comment on former President Carter, because I don’t know President Carter. But I know my dad, and it’s just not in him.”

“It’s unfortunate people make that jump. People can disagree — and appropriately disagree — on issues of substance, but when they make the jump to race it’s absolutely ludicrous. My brothers and I were raised by our parents to respect everyone regardless of background or race.”