Ben Gruber
Democratic · WI
A Wisconsin conservation warden who has also worked as a volunteer EMT, firefighter, paramedic and police officer. Priorities: lowering everyday costs for working families and rebuilding rural communities and their public schools.
Where Ben Gruber stands, based on their records
Supports
Labor Rights (3 records)
Track record
Track record — Labor Rights
Labor Rights · 3 support
As union president, filed a complaint on 2023-12-11 accusing the Department of Natural Resources of unfair labor practices. On 2026-03-16 the state labor relations commission ruled the department illegally retaliated against him and two union stewards for their union work, and ordered a disciplinary letter removed from his file.
March 16, 2026Supports Labor Rights
Source: werc.wi.gov
Became president of Conservation Wardens Local 1215, the state game wardens' union, in March 2023. By October 2023 he had helped grow its membership from fewer than 10 to nearly 50 and spoke out about warden pay and turnover.
October 14, 2023Supports Labor Rights
Source: patrickdurkinoutdoors.com
Was fired as a state conservation warden recruit on 2020-06-05 after he raised concerns about an instructor's sexist and abusive language toward a female classmate. He hired a lawyer and sued the Department of Natural Resources, which reinstated him in September 2020 under a settlement.
June 5, 2020Supports Labor Rights
Source: patrickdurkinoutdoors.com
Track record — General
General · 3 records
Received the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO labor federation's endorsement for the 2026 fall election in Assembly District 51.
September 21, 2026
Source: wisaflcio.org
Received the Faith in Place Action Fund's endorsement for Assembly District 51 in the 2026 election.
September 17, 2026
Source: faithinplaceaction.org
Received a state lifesaving honor on 2025-01-10 for helping a village of Arena police officer revive an Iowa County woman who had no pulse in October 2023, using CPR and a defibrillator.
January 10, 2025
Source: dnr.wisconsin.gov
Past race Ben Gruber ran in:
- Representative to the Assembly District 51 · November 3, 2026 · Assembly District 51; Wisconsin