(Des Moines)– State Representative Ross Wilburn is the first black Iowan to lead the state Democratic party. The lawmaker from Ames was chosen from a field of four candidates by the Iowa Democratic Party State Central Committee.
He’s a native of Davenport and earned a degree from the University of Iowa. Wilburn also served in the Iowa Army National Guard and is a member of the Iowa Legislature’s Black Caucus.
He replaces outgoing chair Mark Smith who had announced last year he wouldn’t seek a second term.
Dickinson County Democratic party Chairman Brett Copeland was also nominated for the state chair position but withdrew from consideration after a brief speech.
