Paul Wieland

For the English film and television director, see Paul Weiland.

Paul Wieland
Member of the Missouri Senate
from the 22nd district
In office
January 7, 2015 – January 4, 2023
Succeeded byMary Elizabeth Coleman
Member of the Missouri House of Representatives
from the 112th district
In office
January 5, 2011 – January 7, 2015
Personal details
Born (1962-12-24) December 24, 1962 (age 61)
Jefferson County, Missouri
Political partyRepublican
SpouseTerri
Children3
ResidenceImperial, Missouri

Paul Joseph Wieland (born December 24, 1962) is an American businessman and politician from the state of Missouri. A member of the Republican Party, Wieland represented the 22nd District in the Missouri State Senate starting on January 7, 2015. He left office on January 4, 2023 due to term limits.

Early life

Wieland was raised in Jefferson County, Missouri. He graduated from St. Pius X High School in Festus, Missouri. Wieland worked in his family's auto parts business, and then opened his own small businesses.

Political career

During the Jefferson County, Missouri, General Municipal Election, Paul Wieland was a contender, and was elected to join the Jefferson County Health Center Board of Trustees April 3, 2007.[1]

Missouri House of Representatives

On November 2, 2010, Paul Wieland was elected during the Jefferson County, Missouri, General Election for state representative for District 102. Wieland won as a Republican, defeating the Democratic candidate Jeff Roorda, as well as the Constitution Party candidate Richard Blowers.

On November 6, 2012, Paul Wieland was elected during the Jefferson County, Missouri, General Election running for state representative of District 112. Wieland, won as a Republican, defeating Democratic candidate Daniel E. James.

Missouri Senate

On November 4, 2014, Paul Wieland was elected during the Jefferson County, Missouri, General Election running for state senator for the twenty-second district. Wieland, won as a Republican, defeating Democratic candidate Jeff Roorda.[2]

Opposition to contraception

In August 2013, Wieland and his wife filed a lawsuit against the United States Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of the Treasury, and the Department of Labor, saying that in applying for health insurance as a government employee, he was not given the chance to opt out of coverage for contraceptives and abortifacients because of a provision in the Affordable Care Act.[3] He lost the case in District Court in October 2013, but appealed the decision to the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit based on the Burwell v. Hobby Lobby decision by the United States Supreme Court.[4] and in July 2016 won their appeal on the basis of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.[5]

In 2021, Wieland proposed legislation that would prohibit Medicaid coverage for certain forms of contraception which, in his view, would destroy fetal life.[6]

Personal life

Wieland and his wife, Terri, live in Imperial, Missouri, and have three daughters.[7] Paul and Terri own the Wieland Insurance Group.[7] He is a devout Catholic.[3]

References

  1. ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20141129060752/http://www.jeffcomo.org/uploads/County%20Clerk/Elections/Election%20Results/2007%20April%20General%20Municipal%20Election%20Summary.pdf. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 29, 2014. Retrieved November 19, 2014. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  2. ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20141129060752/http://www.jeffcomo.org/uploads/County%20Clerk/Elections/Election%20Results/2007%20April%20General%20Municipal%20Election%20Summary.pdf. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 29, 2014. Retrieved November 19, 2014. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  3. ^ a b "Wieland sues federal government because of civil liberty concerns over the Affordable Care Act - The Missouri Times". The Missouri Times. August 15, 2013. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
  4. ^ "Missouri lawmaker challenges Affordable Care Act's birth control mandate". Kansas City Star. September 19, 2014.
  5. ^ Lieb, David (July 23, 2016). "Court: Birth control mandate violates religious rights". AP News. Jefferson City, Mo. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
  6. ^ Benevento, Jack Suntrup, Maria (May 13, 2021). "Last-minute push for election changes underway in Missouri Senate". STLtoday.com. Retrieved May 13, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  7. ^ a b "Paul Wieland Announces Candidacy for State Senate 22 in Jefferson County - Lifestyle - Fenton-High Ridge, Missouri Patch". Fenton-high Ridge, Missouri Patch. April 20, 2013. Retrieved September 19, 2014.