Jim Wheeler

This article is about the Nevada politician. For the gay high school student who committed suicide, see Jim in Bold.

Floyd James Wheeler (born November 8, 1953) is an American businessman and politician from the state of Nevada. A member of the Republican Party, Wheeler served in the Nevada Assembly, representing the 39th district.

Jim Wheeler
Minority Leader of the Nevada Assembly
In office February 6, 2017 – June 4, 2019
Preceded by	Irene Bustamante Adams
Succeeded by	Robin Titus
Member of the Nevada Assembly from the 39th district
In office November 7, 2012 – November 9, 2022
Preceded by	Kelly Kite
Succeeded by	Ken Gray
Personal details
Born	Floyd James Wheeler (1953-11-08) November 8, 1953 (age 71) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Children	3
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Air Force
Years of service	1975–1977

Early career

Wheeler was the chief executive officer of Powerdyne Automotive Products.^[1]

Nevada assembly

Wheeler first ran for the Nevada Assembly in 2010, seeking to replace James Settelmeyer, who was not running for reelection.^[1] However, Kelly Kite won the election.

Wheeler was first elected in 2012, defeating Kelly Kite.^[2]

Tenure

Assembly Bill 86 was a bill that would have reduced the minimum age to gamble from 21 to 18. Wheeler supported the bill.^[3] However, the bill died in the senate.^[4]

Minority leader (2017 - 2019)

Wheeler served as a minority leader from 2017 until his resignation in 2019. He was replaced by assemblywoman Robin L. Titus.^[5] Wheeler won re-election back to the 39th district.

Criticism

In September 2013, Kelly Kite, a former Assembly member who was defeated by Wheeler in the 2012 election, filed an ethics complaint against Wheeler, stating that he did not live in the 39th district.^[6][7] Kite later filed another complaint against Wheeler in September 2013 for failing to disclose a lien.^[2]

In October 2013 the state Democratic Party on Monday released a YouTube video filmed in August in which Wheeler told constituents that he would vote to reinstitute slavery if his constituents wanted him to. On October 29, Wheeler apologized, saying, "If my comments were taken with offense by anyone, I sincerely apologize. I intended the statement as an extreme example of something unacceptable, and hope that’s how it’s taken."^[8][9]