The oldest member of the legislature is preparing to leave the state senate in a few weeks….but he’s not ready to leave public life. It’s been more than 40 years since Doctor Charles Wheeler of Kansas City entered public life. Jackson County coroner, a member of the county administrative court, eight years as mayor of Kansas City…then, after 20 years out of office, he was elected to the state senate four years ago at the age of 76. He lost a primary election for county executive in August…instead of running for a second senate term. He returns to private life in January, but maybe not for long. He says he might run for Kansas City council. He says he wants to show people that those of advanced age are sometimes better able to contribute than younger people can. He says he’d follow the example of John Adams,who went back to the House of Representatives after serving as President and enjoyed 17 years there. And he won’t dismiss running for a second senate term sometime. Wheeler says he’s an unusual person with experience at the county, city and state level, and he wants to share that knowledge. Wheeler says any young person should think of going into politics….because they’ll be able to rise as far as their talents will take them.
