Wisconsin Warden Ben Gruber Runs for State Assembly to Aid Families

Wisconsin Conservation Warden Turns Political Candidate to Champion Working Families

Ben Gruber’s role as a conservation warden in Wisconsin transcends mere employment; it embodies a dedication to public service. Tasked with protecting the rural landscapes and communities of Southwest Wisconsin, Gruber's duties extend beyond typical law enforcement. "Unlike traditional law enforcement, my role as a conservation warden is to catch polluters and poachers, and protect our natural resources," Gruber shared. "We also do a lot of law enforcement work and provide rescue services within our state park system."

Strengthening Community Through Public Services

Gruber’s work in community law enforcement provides insight into the pressing issues faced by families, particularly the struggle with affordability. "Everybody’s fighting tooth and nail," he observed. "It's really difficult to watch working families struggle to put food on the table and gas in the car while we see billionaires continue to profit off of the work that everyday people are doing."

Motivated by these challenges, Gruber is running for the state assembly to focus on making life more affordable for families and reinforcing essential public services. "One of the biggest challenges we face is properly funding our communities and our public schools," he stated. "That is something that I believe we need to fix. There are solutions available."

Impact of Public Safety Cuts

Having experienced the repercussions of reduced essential services, Gruber recounted a life-saving incident in 2024, where he performed CPR on a woman for over 20 minutes until help arrived. The incident highlighted the critical need for adequate emergency services, as the village's police department was later closed due to budget constraints. "We received our awards the very night that our village board had to close our police department because they had to choose between water to flush the toilets and public safety," Gruber recalled. The closure has since increased the burden on remaining officers and heightened community vulnerability.

An Advocate for Workers' Rights

As a former president of AFSCME Local 1215 and a current executive board member of AFSCME Council 32, Gruber has witnessed the power of collective worker action. "As a union leader, my job is to fight for the people in my union," he explained. "And as a state legislator, my job will be to fight for the people in my district and people across the state."

Gruber is actively pursuing stronger union rights, serving as a lead plaintiff in a court case to overturn Act 10. If elected, he promises to be a formidable advocate for workers and families neglected by the state government. "That really is why I'm running, because I've been there. I've been the person who showed up when your grandma fell. I've been there to deliver your babies. I've come to your kids’ funerals after I was there and tried to save them," he said. "I have shown up my entire life to serve."

Public safety professionals are increasingly aligning with AFSCME to enhance workplace conditions, secure better wages, and ensure a safer environment. To learn more and get involved, visit the AFSCME Public Safety website.