Bruce Wilson (Democratic booster)

Bruce H. Wilson (March 18, 1943 – December 15, 2015) was a booster, fund-raiser and activist with the Boone County Democratic Party in Boone County, Missouri. He lived in Columbia with his wife, Nancy Wilson.

Wilson was born in New Bloomfield, Missouri in 1943.[1] He was alternately referred to in the local media as a "longtime Democratic activist",[2] a "local Democratic booster,"[3] a "behind-the-scenes Democratic booster,"[4] and a "major Democratic benefactor."[5] The Columbia Tribune quoted former Democratic Central Committee chair Charles Christy as saying, "He raises more money for Democrats than anyone."[5]

Wilson was active in the Boone County Democratic Party for much of his life. He represented Missouri's Ninth Congressional District as a delegate for Hillary Clinton at the 2008 Missouri Democratic Convention,[6] hosted a steak dinner that raised $14,000 for Dwayne Carey's campaign for Boone County Sheriff,[7] managed Donna Crockett's 1995 campaign to represent the Third Ward on Columbia city council,[8] and served as campaign coordinator for Bernie Lensmeyer’s 1996 campaign to represent the Fifth Ward on the same council.[9] Former Boone County prosecutor Kevin Crane referred to Wilson as "the secret weapon" of his successful 1994 campaign for the office.[8] More recently, Wilson advised Stephen Webber's successful 2008 campaign for the Missouri House of Representatives in the 23rd District.

Wilson was also a prominent figure in the local Columbia community. He was the three-time winning bidder of the Grand Champion Boone County ham, auctioned every year at the Boone County Fair, winning the ham in 2004,[10] 2006,[11] and 2007.[12] On all three occasions, he has donated the ham to another member of the community.[12] In 2003, he and his wife served as Grand Marshals in the Boone County Fair parade.[13] He was chairman of the fair's horse show in 2003[14] and served as a sponsor of the 2007 Columbia Balloon Invitational[15] as well as a member of Boone County's "Yes for Better Sewers" committee[16]

Wilson died on December 15, 2015, at the age of 72.[17] He is not related to former Missouri Governor Roger B. Wilson.

References

Notes

  1. ↑ "Bruce Wilson, 1943-2015". Columbia Tribune. December 16, 2015. Retrieved 2015-12-23.
  2. ↑ Ganey, Terry (January 4, 2007). "Showtime for McCaskill". Columbia Tribune (http://www.columbiatribune.com). Retrieved 2008-07-11.
  3. ↑ Sternadori, Migela (July 17, 2003). "Parade route finalized for Boone County Fair". Columbia Tribune (http://www.columbiatribune.com). Retrieved 2008-07-11.
  4. ↑ Shields, Pirette J., and Tim Higgins (August 9, 2000). "Elkin, Miller prevail, look to November". Columbia Tribune. Retrieved 2008-07-11.
  5. 1 2 Mazurak, George (October 16, 1994). "Tribune Online Elections". Columbia Tribune. Retrieved 2008-07-11.
  6. ↑ "Convention 2008". Missouri Democratic Party (http://www.missouridems.org). Archived from the original on 2008-07-09. Retrieved 2008-07-11.
  7. ↑ Sullivan, John (July 18, 2004). "Sheriff’s contest attracting donors’ interest". Columbia Tribune. Retrieved 2008-07-11.
  8. 1 2 Wright, Leslie (January 30, 1995). "Tribune Online News Story". Columbia Tribune. Retrieved 2008-07-11.
  9. ↑ Wright, Leslie (February 2, 1996). "Tribune Online News Story". Columbia Tribune. Retrieved 2008-07-11.
  10. ↑ Meyer, Joe (July 25, 2004). "Prize-winning ham sets record for highest bid". Columbia Tribune. Retrieved 2008-07-11.
  11. ↑ Rosenbaum, Jason (July 30, 2006). "Politics side dish at breakfast". Columbia Tribune. Retrieved 2008-07-11.
  12. 1 2 Rosenbaum, Jason (July 29, 2007). "The taste of country". Columbia Tribune. Archived from the original on December 23, 2007. Retrieved 2008-07-11.
  13. ↑ Sternadori, Migela (July 22, 2003). "'Poised' early-riser crowned fair queen". Columbia Tribune. Retrieved 2008-07-11.
  14. ↑ Sternadori, Migela (July 17, 2003). "Parade route finalized for Boone County fair". Columbia Tribune. Retrieved 2008-07-11.
  15. ↑ "Special thanks to our sponsors". Columbia Tribune. August 22, 2007. Retrieved 2008-07-11.
  16. ↑ Moyers, Scott (September 25, 1997). "Tribune Online News Story". Columbia Tribune. Retrieved 2008-07-11.
  17. ↑ Jackson Jr., Jodie (December 16, 2015). "Democratic, community stalwart Bruce Wilson dies". Columbia Tribune. Retrieved 2015-12-17.
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