Josh Wheeler

Josh Wheeler: Idaho Republican Incumbent for House District 35B

Josh Wheeler is a Republican member of the Idaho House of Representatives seeking re-election to represent District 35Bin the May 19, 2026 primary. Wheeler lives in Ammon and first took office in December 2022. District 35 covers portions of Bonneville and Bannock counties, along with Teton, Caribou, and Bear Lake counties in southeastern Idaho.

Background

Wheeler was born and raised in Ammon, Idaho. He graduated from Hillcrest High School, then earned a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from Brigham Young University in 2001. He later completed an M.B.A. from Idaho State University in 2015. His career has included work as a project engineer with Layton Construction. He is currently one of three third-generation owners of Wheeler Electric, a family-owned electrical contracting business based in eastern Idaho, as noted on his official Idaho Legislature member profile. Wheeler previously served on the Ammon City Council before running for the legislature. His wife, Dr. Laramie Wheeler, is a practicing physician.

Political Career

Wheeler entered the legislature in 2022 by defeating incumbent Chad Christensen in the Republican primary, then winning the November general election. In 2024, he defeated Brett Skidmore in the Republican primary and Maggie Shaw in the general election. He is now seeking a third term.

Wheeler currently serves on the Commerce and Human Resources, Environment, Energy and Technology, and Health and Welfare committees, according to his Idaho Legislature member profile.

In the 2023 session, Wheeler supported the Idaho Launch Grant Program, legislation directing state funds toward technical training in workforce-demand fields. In 2025, he was associated with House Bill 418, an appropriation directing additional funding to the Division of Career Technical Education. He co-sponsored Senate Bill 1087, which requires healthcare providers to furnish one free copy of medical records in certain Social Security claims contexts. He publicly expressed disappointment at the failure of House Bill 443, a measure designed to incentivize private investment in career and technical education, according to his Wikipedia profile.

Policy Positions

On taxes and spending, Wheeler has emphasized fiscal restraint at the state level. In his 2024 East Idaho News candidate profile, he described having supported “historic tax cuts, including property tax reform” during his first term. He stated that Idaho must respond to federal fiscal trends “by cutting unnecessary spending and lowering taxes.”

On education, Wheeler has consistently opposed measures that would redirect funding away from public schools. His campaign website states that he does not “support policies that dismantle our Idaho public education system” and that he supports increased educator compensation. Career and technical education is a documented legislative focus, reflected in his bill activity during both the 2023 and 2025 sessions.

On healthcare, Wheeler opposed House Bill 138 in 2025, a measure that would have curtailed Medicaid expansion by imposing enrollment caps and work requirements. He argued the change would disproportionately harm rural health systems. In his 2024 East Idaho News response, he noted that Idaho lost a significant share of its OB/GYN physicians following passage of the state’s abortion restrictions, and that physician shortages posed a serious concern for rural communities.

On local control, Wheeler has consistently framed his legislative philosophy around limiting state legislative reach over municipalities. His campaign website states that “the most effective and efficient government is the government that is the closest to the people.”

Political Alignment

Wheeler appears aligned with Traditional Conservative Republican positioning. His voting record on education, Medicaid, and local control diverges from the Idaho Freedom Foundation’s preferred positions, and he has recorded a 22% score on the IFF Freedom Index as reported by the Freedom Index tracker. No documented ties to the Idaho Freedom Foundation, Idaho Freedom Caucus, or Citizens Alliance of Idaho have been identified. His endorsement from U.S. Representative Mike Simpson, a longtime Idaho Republican, is consistent with this classification. Wheeler’s support for public school funding and opposition to Medicaid restrictions that would affect rural hospital systems reflect a governing conservatism oriented around small business, local control, and rural infrastructure rather than activist movement priorities.

Campaign and Endorsements

U.S. Representative Mike Simpson endorsed Wheeler, stating on Wheeler’s campaign endorsements page that Wheeler “has proven himself to be an effective lawmaker and leader who studies the issues and votes with a conservative conscience.” Ammon Mayor Sean Coletti also endorsed Wheeler. Ballotpedia has not identified additional endorsements for the 2026 race, and Wheeler had not completed Ballotpedia’s 2026 Candidate Connection survey as of the publication of this profile.

FAQ

Who is Josh Wheeler, Idaho? Josh Wheeler is a Republican member of the Idaho House of Representatives from Ammon, Idaho. He was first elected in 2022 and is seeking his third term in 2026. He co-owns Wheeler Electric, a family electrical contracting business in eastern Idaho.

What district does Josh Wheeler represent? Wheeler represents House District 35B, covering portions of Bonneville and Bannock counties along with Teton, Caribou, and Bear Lake counties in southeastern Idaho.

Is Josh Wheeler an incumbent? Yes. Wheeler was first elected in 2022 and re-elected in 2024. He is running for re-election in the May 19, 2026 Republican primary.

What committees does Josh Wheeler serve on? Wheeler serves on the Commerce and Human Resources, Environment, Energy and Technology, and Health and Welfare committees in the Idaho House.

What has Josh Wheeler sponsored in the Idaho Legislature? Wheeler’s documented legislative activity includes support for the Idaho Launch Grant Program, co-sponsorship of Senate Bill 1087 on medical records access, and association with House Bill 418 directing additional funding to career and technical education. He opposed House Bill 138, which would have curtailed Medicaid expansion in Idaho.

Profile published by IdahoVoters.com. Last updated April 2026. This profile will be updated as additional information becomes available.