“I’ve always had an interest in politics,” says Brad Wheeler, a recently admitted attorney and ardent local activist in San Antonio. “I grew up in a home littered with stacks of National Review magazines in the 1980s. But as a pastor, the counsel was always to avoid politics. I had no issue addressing political issues with the gospel, but wasn’t politically involved with endorsing a party or a candidate while I served as a pastor.”
Fortunately, that avoidance did not last forever. In 2013, Wheeler decided it was time to start engaging beyond passive observation.
“Wendy Davis is the person who helped me get involved in politics,” says Wheeler. But, not in the way you might think. “When her ‘Stand with Texas Women’ burnt orange bus came to Sunset Station in San Antonio in 2013, I went down to the event to observe and to meet up with any pro-life organizations that were present. At the event, I met Patrick Von Dohlen of the San Antonio Family Association, George Rodriguez of Raging Elephant’s Radio, and local politician Weston Martinez.”
From there, Wheeler went on to volunteer with the San Antonio Family Association, where he is still very active.
“Because of these relationships, I have been able to have a role in protesting the non-discrimination ordinance, and have been active in both the legal and communication efforts of opposing the regional Planned Parenthood surgical abortion center being built at 2140 Babcock in San Antonio.”
Through his associations, Wheeler has been able to leverage his Masters Degree in Communications to help with websites, press releases, social-media management, and developing messaging strategies. In the 2014 primary, Wheeler volunteered in a communications capacity with State Sen. Donna Campbell’s campaign.
Of particular note is Wheeler’s involvement in opposing Planned Parenthood’s illegally zoned surgical abortion facility. This issue holds a great deal of personal importance to Wheeler, who tragically buried one of his identical twin daughters, Xaris, shortly after delivery. “While the doctors were fighting to save Xaris, less than a block away, doctors were legally taking the lives of children who were the same age, the same gestation…The only distinction was that Xaris was wanted, and the other children were not.”
The way Wheeler sees it, the problems we see in governance all stem from the failure to recognize fundamental human rights and the proper role of government in regards to securing those rights, not violating them:
“Abortion, welfare, intrusive government…these concepts all stem from a devaluing of humanity and a dismissal of human rights,” says Wheeler. “I want to see a renewed respect for human life and dignity. In this [current] system, people are objects to be managed, and not individuals to be free…to live, to choose, to work, to care for themselves,” Wheeler emphasized. “The same devaluing of humans and human choice results in all over regulation of our lives from texting laws to laws about filming the police. When we begin to understand humanity rightly, then our politics and government will truly promote human life and dignity.”
Indeed, America is unique in that our legal system fundamentally recognizes natural rights as sacred, and that the government’s authority to secure them is limited as to avoid their perversion. But our rights won’t be protected unless citizens actively participate in the governing process, and elect officials who truly understand the duty Texans entrust to them. Wheeler endeavors to continue to play his part in resorting a society that places the rights of Texans, first.
