Bruce Colburn

Hi, I’m Bruce.

I have lived an entire career of organizing, fighting for the rights of others, and prioritizing organized labor and union workers.

From 2004 to 2017, I had the privilege of serving as the Executive Vice President for Health Care Reform for SEIU (Service Employees International Union). During this time, I collaborated closely with the Obama administration on pivotal healthcare reform initiatives, a role that allowed me to contribute significantly to the improvement of our nation's healthcare system.

As deputy director of field services for AFL-CIO (1996-2004), I was responsible for the management of assigned field campaigns, year-round field activities, and field staff, determining campaign field strategy and goals for specific campaigns during the Clinton years, and also assisted the development of union members and voter contact plans for electoral, legislative and organizing support campaigns.

One of the most rewarding experiences in my career was my time as a Milwaukee County bus driver. It was during this period that I recognized the need for change and decided to take action. I ran for the position of our union president, and guess what? I won!

I served as president of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 998 from 1990 to 1994 (and later as a consultant for the union’s international organization), organizing the community fight for Milwaukee County Transit worker's contract negotiations and working for a payment increase and fair contracts for paraprofessionals.

These days, I spend most of my time working with Souls to the Polls, a nonprofit that I helped build from the ground up.

From 2013 to 2023, I worked as Executive Director of Souls to the Polls MKE, working to build stronger, safer, and more supportive communities, especially in uniting Milwaukee faith leaders and their congregations to strengthen the voting power of the Black community.

In my spare time, I love swimming and spending time with my wife Jeannine, my son Jason, my family, and our dog Tamber.

I will leave you with this thought:

As someone who has dedicated his life to advocating for the rights of others, I can't stress enough the importance of exercising your right to vote. It's a powerful tool that can bring about significant change. So, my advice to you is simple-always make sure you cast your vote!