FRANKFORT — State Sen. Phillip Wheeler (R-Pikeville) officially filed his papers Dec. 19 in the Office of the Secretary of State at the Capitol to seek reelection in 2024 to another four-year term representing the 31st Senate District, which is comprised of Elliott, Johnson, Lawrence, Martin and Pike counties.

Wheeler took office in 2019 after winning a special election and was reelected to his first full term in 2020, garnering just over 72% of votes cast in the district.

In the most recent reports to the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance, Senator Wheeler’s campaign fund registered nearly $215,000 in contributions from a wide array of donors including attorneys, physicians, executives, small business owners, organized labor, educators, retirees, and those in the energy sector. 

“I am deeply humbled yet greatly encouraged by the amount of support my campaign has received from such a variety of people and organizations as we launch our efforts for 2024,” Wheeler said.

“It is a great honor to represent the people of the 31st Senate District, and I have fought hard on their behalf in Frankfort for the last five years. We have made great strides, but there is much work that remains to be done to make Eastern Kentucky great again,” he said. 

Wheeler pointed to numerous areas where his legislative work has been successful including education, transportation, tourism and economic development.

“Working with our local community leaders and people from all walks of life, we have made a difference in every county of the district, without exception,” said Wheeler.

Sen. Wheeler is vice chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee as well as the Senate Economic Development, Tourism and Labor Committee. He also serves on the Senate Transportation, Natural Resources & Energy, and State & Local Government Committees in addition to other special and interim committee assignments. Sen. Wheeler resides in Pikeville, with his wife, Crystal and their son, Weston.