Newest Iowa House member Ross Wilburn on his work, inspiration

State Representative Ross Wilburn took the oath of office on September 6 to represent Iowa House district 46, covering part of Ames in Story County. Republicans did not field a candidate against him in the August 6 special election to fill the seat vacated by Story County Supervisor Lisa Heddens.

In a September 6 telephone interview, Wilburn said he hasn’t been assigned to committees yet and probably will not know those assignments until November. He’s interested in many aspects of the legislature’s work, including human services (he has a master’s degree in social work), local government or transportation (he’s a former Iowa City mayor and city council member), and veterans’ affairs (he served in the Army National Guard). Education is also a high priority for Wilburn and of great importance to his constituents. Iowa State University is the dominant employer and community presence in Ames. Wilburn is diversity officer and associate director for community economic development at ISU Extension and Outreach.

Wilburn told me he’s looking forward to returning to public service and getting to work for constituents. The issues that came up most often during his conversations with voters this summer were mental health care, Medicaid privatization, public employee collective bargaining rights, and adequate funding for K-12 as well as higher education.

During his swearing-in ceremony, Wilburn recalled that when he first decided to run for city council, he was visiting the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC and was near the marker where Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his “I Have a Dream” speech.

Reflecting today on the Iowa legislators who came before him, Wilburn recalled the example set by Willie Stevenson Glanton. The second African-American woman admitted to the Iowa bar, Glanton was the first woman to serve as assistant Polk County attorney and in 1964 (the year of Wilburn’s birth) became the first African-American woman elected to the Iowa House. Wilburn had the opportunity to meet Glanton during his time on Iowa City’s council and was inspired by her.

The Iowa House now has a full complement of 100 members again: 53 Republicans and 47 Democrats. Wilburn is one of five African Americans serving in the chamber, along with fellow Democrats Ako Abdul-Samad, Ruth Ann Gaines, Ras Smith, and Phyllis Thede. This year’s House Democratic caucus was the first in Iowa legislative history to have a majority of women, but Andy McKean’s party switch in April, Heddens’ retirement, and Wilburn’s election shifts the balance back to 24 men and 23 women. (Ten women and 43 men are part of the Iowa House Republican caucus.)

September 6 news release:

Des Moines, Iowa – Ross Wilburn of Ames was officially sworn in to the Iowa House of Representatives by fellow Ames State Representative Beth Wessel-Kroeschell on Friday afternoon in a special ceremony at the State Capitol.

“I’m honored and humbled to be the next State Representative from Story County. I’ve spent the last two months knocking doors and listening to the people of District 46. I’m excited to get started to continue reaching out and listening to my constituents this fall until session begins in January,” said Rep. Wilburn.

A longtime social worker, Wilburn has dedicated his life to service. Upon graduating high school, Wilburn joined up with the Iowa Army National Guard and would work one weekend a month while in college. Wilburn currently serves as a diversity officer and associate director for community economic development at Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. In 2018, Wilburn ran for the Democratic Nomination for governor on a platform of strengthening mental health care resources across Iowa. Wilburn has also served as a city council member and mayor of Iowa City.

“I’m going to work together with my colleagues on issues important to the people of Story County, including accessible healthcare; great public schools; affordable higher education; and creating good-paying green jobs that help both families and our environment,” added Wilburn.

Wilburn was elected during a special election that was held in August, following the resignation of Story County Supervisor Lisa Heddens. House District 46 includes north Ames and the western parts of Story County.

“I’m looking forward to serving our community in a new capacity. Before session begins in January, I’ll continue meeting more people in my district and learning about their issues and priorities,” said Rep. Wilburn.

The 2019 Iowa Legislature convenes on Monday, January 13, 2020.


Top image: State Representative Beth Wessel-Kroeschell of Ames swears in her newest colleague, Ross Wilburn, on September 6. Photo provided by the Iowa House Democrats.

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Laura Belin

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