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Skyler Wheeler (born April 24, 1993) is an American politician. A member of the Republican Party, he has served as member of the Iowa House of Representatives, representing the 4th district since 2017.

Skyler Wheeler
Wheeler in 2021
Member of the Iowa House of Representatives
from the 4th district
Assumed office
January 9, 2017
Preceded byJohn Kooiker
Personal details
Born (1993-04-24) April 24, 1993 (age 31)[1]
Centralia, Washington, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseJess
Residence(s)Hull, Iowa, U.S.
Alma materGrays Harbor College
Northwestern College
Websitelegis.iowa.gov/...

Wheeler finished first in a field of three candidates during a 2016 party primary.[2] He was subsequently elected in a general election later that year to replace retiring Republican representative John Kooiker.[3][4] He defeated independent candidate Jeff VanDerWerff in the general election, who had lost the Republican primary earlier that year.[5] In his bid for a second term in 2018, Wheeler ran unopposed.[6]

In the 2020 general election, Wheeler defeated Democratic Party candidate Björn Johnson.[7][8]

In a 2022 primary, Wheeler defeated Dordt University student Kendal Zylstra, winning 52% of the vote. Wheeler was initially based in Orange City and declared a bid in District 3, but instead chose to move to Hull, in District 4.[9][10]

College career

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Wheeler graduated from Grays Harbor College, where he played baseball. Wheeler broke the all-time hits record and received a full athletic scholarship to Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa. [11] At Northwestern, Wheeler broke the school's single-season RBI and double records, while batting a career .362 with 114 RBI's. Wheeler led the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) in RBI (66) in 2014 and hits (76) in 2015. [12] Though Wheeler received interest from several independent professional baseball leagues, he decided instead to pursue a run for the Iowa House of Representatives. [13]  

Iowa House of Representatives

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Wheeler currently serves as the Chair of the House Education Committee. Wheeler also serves on the Judiciary Committee, Public Safety Committee, Education Appropriations Subcommittee, and School Finance Formula Review Committee. At age 23, Wheeler was the youngest elected member of the Iowa General Assembly in 2016.[14]

Electoral history

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Election Political result Candidate Party Votes %
Iowa House of Representatives primary elections, 2016 [15]
District 4
Turnout: 4,767
Republican Skyler WheelerRepublican2,12044.47%
Kevin Van Otterloo Republican1,42729.93%
Jeffrey VanDerWerff Republican1,21925.57%
Write-In Republican10.02%
Iowa House of Representatives elections, 2016 [16]
District 4
Turnout: 15,663
Republican hold Skyler WheelerRepublican9,81562.66%
Jeffrey VanDerWerff Independent5,83837.27%
Write-In 100.06%
Iowa House of Representatives primary elections, 2022 [17]
District 4
Turnout: 4,620
Republican Skyler WheelerRepublican2,41852.34%
Kendal Zylstra Republican2,19947.60%
Write-In Republican30.06%

References

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  1. ^ "Representative Skyler Wheeler". Iowa House Republicans. Retrieved January 25, 2017.
  2. ^ Hayworth, Bret (May 25, 2016). "3 Sioux County Republicans aim to advance out of primary". Sioux City Journal. Retrieved June 20, 2016.
  3. ^ Richardson, Ian (June 7, 2016). "Skyler Wheeler, 23, wins Iowa House District 4 GOP race". Sioux City Journal. Retrieved January 25, 2017.
  4. ^ Boisjolie, Alex (November 9, 2016). "Republicans sweep Northwest Iowa House, Senate races". Sioux City Journal. Retrieved January 25, 2017.
  5. ^ Boisjolie, Alex (October 22, 2016). "Wheeler, VanDerWerff vie for Sioux County House seat". Sioux City Journal. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
  6. ^ Butz, Dolly (November 7, 2018). "UPDATED: Smith ousts Bertrand, all other area GOP incumbents win re-election". Sioux City Journal. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
  7. ^ Paulson, Randy (November 1, 2020). "Wheeler, Johnson run for Iowa House seat". N'West Iowa Review. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
  8. ^ Hansen, Lydia (November 3, 2020). "State Rep. Wheeler secures third term". N'West Iowa Review. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
  9. ^ Helton, Elijah (June 14, 2022). "Dieken, Evans, Wheeler win primaries". Northwest Iowa Review. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
  10. ^ Helton, Elijah (May 28, 2022). "Dordt Student Running for Iowa House". Northwest Iowa Review. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
  11. ^ "Skyler Wheeler - NWAC Baseball - player". Pointstreak Sports Technologies.
  12. ^ "DakStats WebSync". dakstats.com.
  13. ^ "NW Alum runs for state house". October 30, 2015.
  14. ^ "State Representative".
  15. ^ "2016 Primary Election Canvass Summary" (PDF). Iowa Secretary of State. p. 75. Retrieved January 25, 2017.
  16. ^ "2016 General Election Canvass Summary" (PDF). Iowa Secretary of State. p. 68. Retrieved January 25, 2017.
  17. ^ "2022 Primary Election Canvass Summary" (PDF). Iowa Secretary of State. p. 1. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
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Iowa House of Representatives
Preceded by 4th District
2017 – present
Succeeded by