William "Bill" Wheat, Jr. is a Republican State Senator representing Louisiana Senate District 37, which includes Livingston, St. Tammany, and Tangipahoa parishes. A lifelong resident of Ponchatoula and Hammond, he is a veterinarian and business owner who was elected to the Senate in 2023 with 61% of the vote and previously served in the Louisiana House of Representatives from 2019 to 2023. Notable achievements include sponsoring bills for environmental protections like a moratorium on carbon capture projects in Lake Maurepas, supporting constitutional carry for concealed handguns, and earning a 100% pro-life voting record. He currently serves as Vice Chair of the Senate Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development Committee, with additional roles on Insurance, Revenue and Fiscal Affairs, Transportation, Highways and Public Works, and the Joint Legislative Committee on Capital Outlay.

Education and Political Experience

• Education: Graduated from Ponchatoula High School ; Bachelor's degree from Louisiana State University; Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from LSU School of Veterinary Medicine .
• Professional Background: Owner of Animal Care Center in Hammond and Pet Care Center in Ponchatoula ; Past President of Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association ; Chair of committee establishing Tangipahoa Parish Animal Control Facility.
• Political Experience:
  • Louisiana State Senate, District 37 .
  • Louisiana House of Representatives, District 73 , with committee roles in Appropriations, Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development, Natural Resources and Environment, Joint Medicaid Oversight, and Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget.
  • Key legislative efforts: 1983 Flood Settlement, North Oaks Hospital funding improvements, Southeastern Louisiana University capital outlay, teacher pay raises, independent pharmacy support, Ponchatoula Fire Station funding, and Hoover Rd. Roundabout.