Northwestern equips students to go out and achieve their goals. Some graduates get on the right track to their dreams more quickly than others. Skyler Wheeler, 2015 NW graduate, is running for the Iowa State Representative of District 4.
Wheeler graduated with a political science degree and played baseball for a few years starting on first base. He was also a member of the college Republicans on campus.
District 4 includes all of Sioux County besides the northeast part of the county including Boyden, Hospers and Matlock. Wheeler has developed a good relationship with John Kooiker.
Kooiker became representative after former Rep. Dwayne Alons’ death. Alons served on the Iowa Legislature for 15 years. Kooiker was looking for young conservatives who wanted to be involved with the state. After he announced he was not planning on running, Wheeler decided he wanted his name on the ballot.
One of the main reasons why Wheeler is running for the District 4 spot is because he is tired of seeing his future being thrown away by people making poor policy decisions. Wheeler thinks he will be a good candidate for the position because he is a young conservative.
“My biggest concern with the campaign is that I’m young but that is also my strength,” Wheeler said. “Because there are a lot of people who want to see young Christian conservatives step up in politics, especially with an older community. I also don’t have a Dutch last name, and that’s kind of a big deal around here.”
NW challenged Wheeler’s thought process and he is stronger and more aware of why he believes what he does and that will help him in his campaign.
“I came here thinking NW was going to fit hand in hand with my beliefs because it is a Christian college and I felt as though Christians believe one way in politics,” Wheeler said.
NW challenged Wheeler in ways he did not expect. Professors pushed him to investigate his stance on a lot of issues further strengthening his stances politically.
“I believe NW has helped because I have been challenged by professors that did not hold my beliefs and would play devil’s advocate with me,” Wheeler said. “I had to really study and look into why did they think this and what do I truly believe and how does this work with this issue.”
Discussing different opinions and view points helped strength Wheeler’s believes he truly stands for.
Wheeler loves Northwest Iowa and he realizes a lot of the young people who come to the area want to leave, but he wants to stay around and help improve the quality of life.
“I came to Orange City and I loved it,” Wheeler said. “I come from a place that is a little bit more dangerous and a lot more people. Orange City is a lot quieter, and it’s a good place to raise a family.”
The primary election will be June 7, 2016 and the general election will be held Nov. 8, 2016.
