14 Facts About Alan Wheat

Alan Dupree Wheat was born on October 16,1951 and is an American economist, lobbyist, and politician who served six terms in the US House of Representatives from the state of Missouri from 1983 to 1995.

Alan Wheat's father was James Wheat, an officer and civil engineer in the US Air Force.

When Congressman Richard Bolling retired at the 1982 House of Representatives election, Alan Wheat won the Democratic primary by only 1,004 votes.

Alan Wheat was the youngest member of the United States House of Representatives ever to be appointed to the Rules Committee, and was the first African-American to represent a district with a non-liberal white majority.

Alan Wheat was a member of the United States House Select Committee on Children, Youth, and Families.

In 1992, Alan Wheat drew four opponents in the Democratic primary election.

Alan Wheat was perceived to be vulnerable due to the House banking scandal and his having been one of the House members who had made overdrafts.

The Senate race was closely watched nationally because Alan Wheat was perceived as a candidate who could win crossover votes, as the House district he represented was 70 percent white.

Alan Wheat lost the general election to former governor John Ashcroft.

Alan Wheat served as deputy campaign manager and director of constituent outreach of President Bill Clinton's re-election campaign in 1996.

In 1997, Alan Wheat formed the lobbying group Alan Wheat Government Relations.

Alan Wheat joined the national law firm and lobbying practice Polsinelli in 2013, as the firm's Public Policy practice chair.

In 2021, Alan Wheat helped found Alan Wheat Shroyer Government Relations, a public service-oriented lobbying firm, where he currently serves as Chairman.

Alan Wheat currently serves on the board of directors at CARE.