On this date in 2017, as well as in 2018, “Crazy/Stupid Republican of the Day” published its first profile of Jim Wheeler, a four-term member of the Nevada State Assembly who represents District 39, and was first elected in 2012. Wheeler’s district leans just a wee bit conservative, to say the least, so much so that no Democrat to this point has bothered running to challenge him for his seat. It was back during his first term in August of 2013 at a town hall where Wheeler was touting his dedication to catering to the whims of his constituents, and someone asked him if he would vote for slavery if they wanted… and Wheeler said YES HE WOULD. (This is one of those easy trick questions you should probably still say “HELL NO!” to, Jim.) And, like many a Republican that we’ve covered at CSGOPOTD caught literally on tape making racist statements, Jim Wheeler insisted he was just being “taken out of context”. Well, in context, his remarks were revolting enough that he earned the criticism of even higher-ranking Republicans like Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval and Sen. Dean Heller. It was shocking enough that he even made the Colbert Report for it, where Stephen Colbert suggested that his constituents should all hypothetically suggest Wheeler punch himself in the balls, and he’d do it, because that’s how he works.
That controversy barely had time to die down, however, before Wheeler again made the papers, this time on allegations that his financial disclosure forms prior to running for office were inaccurate, and failed to mention a tax lien he owed in Michigan, as well as a challenge to his residency within his district. To the former, Wheeler plead ignorance to the rules, and then amended the report. For a while, Wheeler was also blogging his deep thoughts on politics, and you can kind of see how he’s deeply partisan when he discusses gun control and those who support it like this:
”The current administration’s position is ‘facts be damned’, thereby misleading the American people about actual facts and statistics dealing with violent crime in America. Facts are something that most Liberals really hate. Facts tend to get in the way of the well-orchestrated sound bites that liberal politicians put out to the media which is, nine times out of ten, too busy to check those facts. These non-factual sound bites are shouted from the rooftops and repeated over and over again until the unaware voter takes them as holy words.
On the other hand, as a business person, I like facts. I wouldn’t make a move in business without some hard facts. Let’s take a look at these pesky facts. We keep hearing that America is an extremely violent country…much more violent than our civilized European cousins who have enacted “sensible” gun controls – countries like Great Britain for instance. Really? I don’t think so.”
Without irony, ladies and gentlemen. But how about some hypocrisy for you? Back in May of 2013, Wheeler voted against Nevada’s SB 139, which would have made crimes committed based on the victim’s gender identity or expression a felony. Okay, so apparently Jim doesn’t like the idea of an assault on a transgendered citizen simply for that reason being a hate crime. But guess what he DOES qualify for a hate crime? When people attack police dogs, THAT is a hate crime. Think about that… he’s prioritizes police dogs over actual people. Wheeler also voted against AB 284, which would allow victims of domestic violence to terminate rental agreements and not fear any financial repercussions of fleeing their abusers. Apparently, the inconvenience of a landlord having to find a new tenant should take priority over a spouse being beaten by their husband or wife. At least in Jim Wheeler’s twisted mind. Wheeler also voted against the police being required to wear body cameras, and voted against automatic voter registration for anyone getting a driver’s license, because he hates the idea of democracy (because when more people vote, Republicans lose).
And, apparently the Nevada GOP have no interest in ever winning the minority vote again, because over the summer, they chose Jim Wheeler, a man who once stated his willingness to vote for slavery if that’s what his constituents wanted, to be the Minority Leader of the Nevada Assembly. Wheeler, going into 2018 also was endorsing Dennis Hof, the notorious reality-television pimp from the Bunny Ranch, as a state legislator.
If you needed any further example as to how far the Republican Party has fallen in terms of its principles, take a look at Jim Wheeler, and see its worst qualities.
One Year Ago, January 14th, 2018: Jim Wheeler (NV)… 2018 Update
Two Years Ago, January 14th, 2017: Jim Wheeler (NV)… Original Profile
Three Years Ago, January 14th, 2016: Dave Agema (MI)… 2016 Update
Four Years Ago, January 14th, 2015: Dave Agema (MI)…Original Profile