Alan Wheat '72 to Work With Former House Colleagues

A native-born Texan, Wheat graduated from Grinnell College in 1972 with a Bachelor of Arts in economics. Following college, he worked as an economist for the Department of Housing and Urban Development in Kansas City, Mo., and later accepted a position with the Mid-America Regional Council.

After three years, he became an aide to the Jackson County executive in Missouri. Wheat decided to pursue a political career after learning the ins and outs of a state-level office. By 1977, he had successfully secured a spot in the Missouri House, where he served three terms.

When then-Rep. Richard Bolling announced his retirement in 1982, Wheat and six other Democrats announced their bids for the open seat. Wheat, the only African-American candidate, won that election and five more. During his service, his district remained an overwhelmingly white one, and he became well versed in reaching out to a range of political interests.