(Orange City, IA) Skyler Wheeler, the Republican candidate in Iowa House District 4, received key endorsements from several Iowa House Republicans on Thursday. In one of the state’s largest primary turnouts Wheeler received 2,120 votes in order to win the district’s competitive three-way primary with 44.5% of the vote. One of his primary opponents, Jeff VanDerWerff, has decided to run as an independent in order to challenge Wheeler in the general election.
State Representative Linda Upmeyer (R-Clear Lake), who serves as Speaker of the Iowa House, expressed her support for Wheeler in a released statement by the campaign.
“Skyler is a principled conservative who will be a great addition to the House Republican Majority,” Upmeyer said. “I look forward to working with him in Des Moines.”
State Representative Steven Holt (R-Denison) also enthusiastically endorsed Wheeler. Holt, a former Marine, is vice-chair of the House Public Safety Committee. “Skyler’s conservative, commonsense values and principled positions on the issues are exactly what we need in Des Moines to move Iowa forward,” Holt said. “I look forward to working with Skyler, who I know District 4 and I can trust to be a key ally in the fight for our founding values.”
Wheeler has also received the endorsement of State Representatives John Wills (R-Spirit Lake), Jake Highfill (R-Johnston) and Matt Windschitl (R-Missouri Valley). Highfill chairs the International Relations Committee while Windschitl serves as the Speaker Pro Tempore of the Iowa House. Wills serves as an assistant majority leader in the Iowa House.
“These are pretty significant nods of approval from some of the best of the best in Des Moines working on behalf of conservatism,” Wheeler said. “It is an honor to have their support and encouragement during the campaign. I cannot wait to start working on behalf of District 4 and conservative values in Des Moines.”
Today’s endorsements join an already significant list of supporters for Wheeler. That list includes Clarice Alons, Rep. John Kooiker, Iowa Right to Life, The FAMiLY Leader and Iowa Eagle Forum. Wheeler also received perfect scores from the NRA and Iowa Gun Owners.