Mark Wheatley

Mark Archuleta Wheatley is a former Democratic member of the Utah State House of Representatives, representing the 35th District from 2005 to 2024. He lives in Murray, Utah, with his wife Josie.

Education He earned a bachelor's degree from Westminster College in Salt Lake City. However, Valdez lost to Republican Brian Shiozawa 56.8% to 43.2%.

During the 2016 general session, he served on the Business, Economic Development, and Labor Appropriations Subcommittee, the Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee, the House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee and the House Judiciary Committee. In the 2022 general session, Wheatley served on the Administrative Rules Review Committee, the Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee, the House Business and Labor Committee, the House Ethics Committee, and the House Judiciary Committee.

Political Positions and Significant Legislation

In 2022, Rep. Wheatley sponsored a bill "that would have required that vehicles pass a muffler inspection as a prerequisite for registration." The bill failed to pass on the House floor by a 35–39 vote.

In 2018, Rep. Wheatley sponsored a bill that would prevent the Attorney General and other high-level elected officials in Utah from campaign fundraising during the legislative session. In defending his bill, Wheatley said that "We don't want the Capitol to be a place where people come up and raise funds, especially when we're in session and doing the people's work." The bill passed unanimously in the Legislature and was signed by the Governor into law.

In 2017, Rep. Wheatley sponsored a bill that "would allow employees with discrimination claims to seek civil lawsuits and action through the state court system, and not rely solely on the Utah Antidiscrimination and Labor Division." The bill was held in committee unanimously.

In 2018, Rep. Wheatley wrote an opinion editorial praising Rep. Rob Bishop for supporting reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund, saying that "the only 'special interest' the Land and Water Conservation Fund serves is that of everyday Utahns."

Elections 2014 Wheatley was unopposed in the Democratic convention and won the general election against Republican Eileen Lentz and Libertarian Chelsea Travis with 3,202 votes (63.7%). 2012 Wheatley was unopposed in the Democratic convention and won the general election against Republican Casey Fitts and Libertarian Chelsea Travis with 4,780 votes (53.8%).

Wheatley passed one of the three bills he introduced, giving him a 33.3% passage rate. He did not floor sponsor any legislation during 2016. His wife, Josie Valdez, was the 2008 Utah Democratic lieutenant gubernatorial nominee, and she also served as the vice chair of the Utah Democratic Party from 2012 until 2015.