Charles Phillip Wheeler Jr. (born April 13, 1978) is an American attorney and politician serving as a member of the Kentucky Senate from the 31st district. Wheeler came into office during a Special Election on March 5, 2019, defeating Democrat Darrell Pugh. He assumed office on March 19, 2019. Wheeler was re-elected for a full term with 72.8% of the vote on November 3, 2020, defeating Democratic challenger Glenn Martin Hammond.

Phillip Wheeler
Wheeler in 2019
Member of the Kentucky Senate
from the 31st district
Assumed office
March 19, 2019
Preceded byRay Jones
Personal details
Born (1978-04-13) April 13, 1978 (age 46)
Pikeville, Kentucky, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
EducationTransylvania University (BA)
University of Kentucky (JD)

Early life and education

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Wheeler was born in Pikeville, Kentucky in 1978. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and German from Transylvania University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Kentucky College of Law. Wheeler was a Fulbright scholar in Regensburg, Germany from 2000 and 2001.[1]

Career

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Outside of politics, Wheeler works as a lawyer at Wheeler & Baker, PLLC in Pikeville, KY. As a lawyer, Wheeler has represented former coal miners who suffer from black lung disease.[2] He was elected to the Kentucky Senate in a March 2019 special election, succeeding Ray Jones.[3] He also serves as vice chair of the House Economic Development, Tourism and Labor Committee.[4]

References

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  1. ^ "Phillip Wheeler". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2022-01-17.
  2. ^ "Kentucky Lawmakers Limit Black Lung Claims Reviews Despite Epidemic". NPR.org. Retrieved 2022-01-17.
  3. ^ "First Day For New Kentucky Senator Was Last Day Of Session". WKMS. 2019-04-01. Retrieved 2022-01-17.
  4. ^ "Phillip Wheeler's Biography". legislature.ky.gov. Retrieved 2022-01-17.