Alan Dupree Wheat (born October 16, 1951) is an American economist, lobbyist, and politician who served six terms in the U.S. House of Representatives from the state of Missouri from 1983 to 1995.

[1][2] When Congressman Richard Bolling retired at the 1982 House of Representatives election,[3] Wheat won the Democratic primary by only 1,004 votes (11%).

Wheat survived the primary and defeated Republican Edward “Gomer” Moody, who was a well-known Missouri businessman.

The Senate race was closely watched nationally because Wheat was perceived as a candidate who could win crossover votes, as the House district he represented was 70 percent white.

After his Senate race, Wheat was chosen as vice president of Public Policy and Government Relations at CARE.