Huelskamp to lead Heartland Institute, a think tank

Former Rep. Tim Huelskamp has a new job: leading an Illinois-based think tank that advocates for limited government.

The Heartland Institute said Thursday it has chosen Huelskamp as its next president.

In a statement, Huelskamp called Heartland “one of the preeminent free-market think tanks in the world.”

“Since I have already been successful in driving innovative policies at both the state and federal level, I am confident that I can lead Heartland toward even greater success in promoting the cause of freedom in every state, and now in Washington, DC.,” Huelskamp said.

The organization’s current president, Joseph Bast, said Huelskamp combines the characteristics of a “scholar, elected official, and small businessman” that made him ideal to lead the group.

Huelskamp served in Congress from 2011 until 2017, representing Kansas’ First District. He lost the Republican primary last August to Roger Marshall, a physician who went on to win the seat.

In Congress, he was known for clashing at times with Republican leadership and was a leader of the House Tea Party Caucus.

This story was originally published June 29, 2017 at 11:18 AM with the headline "Huelskamp to lead Heartland Institute, a think tank."