House career and Senate campaign
Wheat was the youngest member of the United States House of Representatives ever to be appointed to the Rules Committee,and was also the first African-American to represent a district with a non-liberal white majority. He was also a member of the United States House Select Committee on Children,Youth,and Families. [6]
In 1992,Wheat drew four opponents in the Democratic primary election. He was perceived to be vulnerable due to the House banking scandal and his having been one of the House members who had made overdrafts. Wheat survived the primary and defeated Republican Edward “Gomer”Moody,who was a well-known Missouri businessman. Wheat won the general election,which also included two third-party candidates,with 59% of the vote. [2]
After United States Senator John Danforth said he would not run for re-election in 1994,Wheat chose to leave the House and instead run for Danforth's seat. The Senate race was closely watched nationally because Wheat was perceived as a candidate who could win crossover votes,as the House district he represented was 70 percent white. [2] Wheat lost the general election to former governor John Ashcroft. Karen McCarthy was elected to succeed him in the House.
Post-congressional career
After his Senate race,Wheat was chosen as vice president of Public Policy and Government Relations at CARE. He served as deputy campaign manager and director of constituent outreach of President Bill Clinton's re-election campaign in 1996. [7] In 1997,Wheat formed the lobbying group Wheat Government Relations.
Wheat joined the national law firm and lobbying practice Polsinelli in 2013,as the firm's Public Policy practice chair. [8]
In 2021,Wheat helped found Wheat Shroyer Government Relations,a public service-oriented lobbying firm,where he currently serves as Chairman. [9]
Wheat currently serves on the board of directors at CARE.
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