Voter Guide: Josh Wheeler (R)

Party:
Republican

• Website: https://www.wheelerforidaho.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joshwheelerforidaho
• Instagram: @joshwheelerforidaho

Q: Tell us about your background, including your education, career experience, public service, and any previous political involvement. What experiences have best prepared you to serve in the Legislature?

I was raised in Ammon, Idaho, and earned a degree in Construction Management from BYU and an MBA from Idaho State University. I’m president and co-owner of Wheeler Electric, a third-generation family business serving eastern Idaho.

My public service began on the Ammon City Council, followed by my election to the Idaho House in 2022. I currently serve as Vice Chair of the House Business Committee and on the Health and Welfare and Local Government committees.

Managing a business, creating jobs, and balancing budgets have given me a practical perspective on government. My experience in local and state government has reinforced my belief that good policy starts with listening, exercising fiscal discipline, and respecting local decision-making.

Q: If elected, what would be your highest legislative priority, and what specific policies or actions would you pursue to address it?

My highest priority is making life more affordable for Idaho families, with particular emphasis on healthcare costs.

I’ve spent considerable time examining insurance practices that increase costs and create obstacles for patients and providers. I intend to continue pursuing reforms to prior authorization, insurance transparency, and Medicaid administration.

We need greater accountability for how healthcare dollars are spent, fewer unnecessary administrative burdens, and a system that rewards efficient, quality care. These reforms can help improve healthcare access while protecting families and taxpayers from continually rising costs.

Q: Many families are concerned about rising costs of fuel, housing, groceries, health care, and other essentials. What role should government play in addressing inflation and improving economic opportunities, and what specific steps would you support?

State government has limited ability to control national inflation, but it can avoid making the problem worse.

We should reduce unnecessary regulations that increase housing and business costs, pursue responsible tax relief, and ensure government lives within its means.

I also support expanding career and technical education, apprenticeships, and workforce development opportunities that help Idahoans earn better wages without necessarily accumulating significant student debt.

Ultimately, the best economic policy creates opportunities for families to prosper through their own efforts, rather than making them increasingly dependent on government assistance.

Q: Immigration remains a major issue at both the state and federal levels. What is your position on immigration policy, and what role, if any, should state government play in addressing immigration-related concerns?

I believe a secure border and consistent enforcement of immigration laws are essential responsibilities of the federal government.

At the same time, our country has benefited tremendously from legal immigration, and industries throughout Idaho depend upon workers who come here lawfully.

Idaho should cooperate appropriately with federal immigration authorities, enforce laws within its jurisdiction, and ensure employers have clear, workable expectations.

We should uphold the rule of law while recognizing that meaningful immigration reform ultimately requires federal action. State policies should prioritize public safety without creating unnecessary costs or duplicating federal responsibilities.

Q: Access, affordability, and workforce shortages continue to challenge the health care system. What do you see as the biggest health care issues facing residents, and what solutions would you advocate for?

Healthcare affordability and access are closely connected. Rising insurance premiums, administrative costs, and reimbursement challenges are making it increasingly difficult for rural providers to remain viable.

I’ve worked on legislation to reduce unnecessary prior authorization requirements, including a bill passed in 2026 that incentivizes experienced healthcare professionals to train new providers in rural communities.

I believe we need continued insurance reform, better transparency around healthcare costs, and policies that encourage providers to practice in underserved communities.

We must also examine Medicaid spending carefully, looking for opportunities to improve efficiency without jeopardizing access to essential care.

Q: As lawmakers consider state budget priorities, what level of funding do you believe public schools should receive? What factors shape your position, and what outcomes would you hope to achieve?

Public education is one of our state’s most important responsibilities, and it deserves dependable funding that prioritizes student achievement.

Rather than focusing exclusively on a particular dollar amount, I believe we should modernize Idaho’s school funding formula to better reflect how education is delivered today, including digital learning opportunities and the unique needs of rural districts.

I support directing more resources toward classroom instruction, giving local school boards greater flexibility, and reducing unnecessary administrative requirements.

Our success should ultimately be measured by student outcomes, parental satisfaction, and how effectively we prepare young Idahoans for employment, further education, and productive lives.

Q: Looking at the most recent legislative session, what do you think lawmakers got right, what did they get wrong, and what changes would you advocate if elected?

The 2026 Legislature faced difficult budget decisions, and I believe we were right to prioritize a balanced budget while protecting essential services and investments in education and infrastructure.

I’m also pleased we passed legislation I helped advance to encourage experienced healthcare providers to train the next generation of medical professionals in rural Idaho.

Where we fell short was in addressing some longer-term structural problems. We made insufficient progress modernizing school funding and advancing broader health insurance reforms.

I’d like to see future sessions place greater emphasis on measurable results, thoughtful program evaluations, and resolving persistent problems rather than simply managing them year after year.

Q: What is one issue that has not received enough attention during this campaign, and why do you believe voters should care about it?

One issue that deserves greater attention is the growing burden tourism places on small communities.

Teton and Bear Lake counties are wonderful examples of communities that welcome visitors and benefit economically from tourism. However, those visitors also create significant demands on roads, emergency medical services, law enforcement, and other infrastructure.

I’ve advocated for giving tourism-impacted communities better access to the revenues generated by visitors, allowing them to address those costs without continually turning to local property taxpayers.

It’s a matter of fairness, and one where relatively modest changes in state policy could make a meaningful difference for our rural communities.