Voter Guide: Joshua Wheeler (R)

• Background politically and professional:
  • I was born and raised in Ammon, Idaho where I graduated from Hillcrest High School. After a two year mission to Brazil, I married my highschool sweetheart Laramie Linning. Laramie and I left our hometowns to study first in Provo. After graduation, we relocated to Phoenix, where my wife went to medical school and I went to work. Happily, we were able to return to southeast Idaho.
    
    Together we have raised 6 incredible children. Laramie has her own medical clinic in Ammon and I’m one of the owners of our family business Wheeler Electric.
    
    In 2018, our 10-year-old son, Han, suffered a debilitating brain injury from an undiagnosed tumor. After 6 months, we lost him. Through that entire trial, the people of this community rallied around us and lifted us in a way that nothing else could have.
    
    After Han was gone, I felt a deep drive to give back to the community.  I ran for Ammon City council in 2019. I treasured my experience with the city council. In 2021 as a family we decided I needed to run for State Representative. I have served two years now in that role, and learned much. It has reinforced my belief that our communities are stronger, more efficient and simply better when local governments make decisions for the very communities in which they live. Idaho values work best locally. 
    
• Career/Education:
  • I studied and completed a degree in construction management, at BYU Idaho. I worked for a few years for a General Contractor in the Phoenix area. In 2003, I returned to Idaho Falls to work with my family’s business, Wheeler Electric. I’ve worked there as an Estimator, a Project Manager, a Service Department Manager, and in 2021 took on the role of Company President. I’ve also earned an MBA from Idaho State University along the way.
    
• What issues do you feel are important and what would you do if elected: 
  • During my first legislative term, we made historic tax cuts, including property tax reform. Alongside Governor Little we cut red tape; promoting and protecting Idaho’s small businesses with strategic deregulation. As a small business owner I’ve seen firsthand the damage that the heavy hand of the government can cause.
    
    My time on the Ammon City Council taught me the importance of local control. It’s sad to see how quickly those in the legislature would usurp power that rightly belongs to the locally elected. I believe that the government closest to the people governs best.
    
    I opposed efforts to destroy our public education system and support opportunities to better compensate and retain our great educators. And when Idaho Launch came forward as a way to help our kids stay here after graduation and find high paying jobs in demand, I supported it.
    
    Representing District 35 has been a privilege and there is still so much work to do. There are opportunities to cut wasteful spending and lower taxes. We can continue to empower parents and ensure they have a say in their children’s education, and I  will continue to promote pro-family policies in our state’s capitol.
    
    I am running for re-election and asking the voters to let me finish the job we’ve started.My focus is on the problems to be solved.  If re-elected I will continue to work with leaders from across the state to ensure Idaho is in the best place to flourish.
    
• Website: https://www.wheelerforidaho.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joshwheelerforidaho
• Instagram: joshwheelerforidaho

Candidate profiles are being updated when information becomes available.