Representative Ross Wilburn

Ross Wilburn is an American politician and social worker who is currently serving as a member of the Iowa House of Representatives from the 50th district. He was elected in November 2018 and assumed office in January 2019.

Born in Galesburg, Illinois, Wilburn was raised in Ames, Iowa. After graduating from high school, he joined the Iowa Army National Guard. He earned a Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work from the University of Iowa.

From 1997 to 2000, Wilburn was the graduate program director of the School of Social Work Quad Cities Center at the University of Iowa. From 2000 to 2007, he worked as the executive director of the Crisis Center of Johnson County. From 2008 to 2014, he served as the director of equity at the Iowa City Community School District.

Wilburn was elected to the Iowa City Council in 2006 and served for 12 years, including for one term as mayor of Iowa City. He was a candidate for the 2018 Iowa gubernatorial election, placing last in the Democratic primary. He was later elected to the Iowa House of Representatives in November 2018 and assumed office in 2019. He serves as the ranking member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee.

In January 2021, Wilburn became the chair of the Iowa Democratic Party. His tenure as the chair of the Iowa Democratic Party was from January 23, 2021, to January 29, 2023. He was succeeded by Rita Hart.

Wilburn’s career experience includes working as an associate director and community economic development and diversity officer with the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Office, the director of equity and an administrator with the Iowa City Community School District, the executive director of The Crisis Center of Johnson County, Iowa, and the graduate program director of the University of Iowa School of Social Work Quad Cities Center.

Wilburn has served as a city councilman and mayor of Iowa City, Iowa. He has also served on the House Appropriations Committee, House Judiciary Committee, House State Government Committee, and House Veterans Affairs Committee.