Assembly hopeful says it's time regular people became involved

A 56-year-old former chief executive officer says he knows firsthand how the economy can affect individual fortunes.

Johnson Lane resident Jim Wheeler said he is seeking the Assembly District 39 seat being vacated by James Settelmeyer.

Former county commissioner Kelly Kite is also seeking the seat.

The Republican said he founded Powerdyne Automotive Products in 1990 in Southern California and built it into a multimillion dollar operation by the time he sold it at the end of 2005.

"The people who bought it from me kind of broke the place," he said. "Then my retirement went out the window, and we are starting over."

Wheeler moved to Carson Valley in 2007, where he lives on Stewart Avenue with his wife of 32 years, Debbie. He has been working for Carson City Toyota as a sales representative.

"I've never been without a job since I was 14 years old," he said. "But I checked with my employer here and they're great people."

Wheeler said he believes the average person needs to become involved in politics.

"This was kind of an opportunity," he said of Settelmeyer's decision to run for the state senate. "I felt we were so close politically, we were darn near a carbon copy."

Wheeler said he didn't realize Kite was seeking the seat when he announced.

"He could be a great assemblyman," he said. "There are things in his record that I would change, but that's true of a lot of people. But I don't think you'll find anyone anywhere who has the passion for this job that I would have."

As a businessman, Wheeler said he felt that the challenges facing the next Legislature come down to common sense.

"It's common sense that you have a certain amount of money, and you can't spend more than you have," he said. "You need to take what money you have and invest it in the places where you get the biggest return. And that's jobs. We'll never get full economic recovery in this state until we get the job situation under control."

He said Nevadans have the benefit of living in a great state with lots of natural resources.

"Nevada is blessed with an inordinate amount of natural energy," he said. "If you think about it, revenues come overwhelmingly from tourism and gambling. We can't put the burden on those people forever. Let's use what we have, our energy, and our spirit. Nevada is the freest state in the freest country in the world and we've got some opportunities."

Wheeler said he has a health care plan he thinks will work, but he's not ready to unveil it yet.

Wheeler's Web site is www.jimwheeler.us. Assembly District 39 includes all of Douglas County and reaches north along the Lake to include Incline Village.