Bernie Horn has worked on real-world politics and public policy for the past 30 years as a lawyer, legislative assistant, lobbyist, political consultant and policy director.  For the past six years he has been the Senior Director for Policy and Communication at the Center for Policy Alternatives (CPA), a progressive think tank in Washington, D.C. His latest CPA publications are the Progressive Platform for the States 2006, a 272-page candidate briefing book covering 115 state issues, the Progressive Agenda for the States 2006, a 300-page book that lays out 50 of the most innovative solutions being debated and enacted in the states, and Progressive Policy Models for the States 2006, a 298-page handbook containing 123 model bills.

From 1990 to 2000, Horn was President of Strategic Campaign Initiatives, Inc. (SCI), a political consulting firm that helped elect and reelect hundreds of federal, state and local officials. SCI also helped win issue advocacy campaigns for gun control, tobacco taxes, and health care, and against casino gambling and restrictions on abortion. SCI's primary business was creating direct persuasion mail for progressive candidates. The firm also produced radio ads, sold voter lists, and conducted polls. 

Between 1988 and 1994, he served as Federal & State Legislative Director, Legislative Counsel, State Legislative Director, and Director of Strategic Planning and Policy for Handgun Control, Inc. (now called the Brady Campaign). He served as one of the chief lobbyists for the Brady Bill, drafted and lobbied for the federal ban on semiautomatic assault weapons, and conceived the federal ban on handgun sales to minors. He has also served as campaign manager and issues director for two congressional campaigns. He lives in Washington, DC.