Mark Pocan
Encyclopedia
Mark Pocan is a Democratic Party
member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
, first elected to represent the 78th district in 1998. He represents parts of downtown Madison
and his district includes the Wisconsin State Capitol
. In September 2011, Pocan announced that he would seek election to replace Democratic U.S. Representative Tammy Baldwin
as the next member of Congress from Wisconsin's 2nd congressional district.
in Kenosha
. He attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison
, earning a bachelor’s degree in 1986.
Board of Supervisors
. He left the board in 1996.
In 1998, Tammy Baldwin
, then a state representative from the 78th district, mounted a successful bid for Congress. Pocan ran to succeed her in the state legislature and won a three-way Democratic
primary with 54% of the vote. He faced no Republican
opponent in the general election and defeated an independent, polling 15,828 votes (93%) to his opponent's 1,251 (7%). He has been re-elected biennially ever since, including in 2010 when he faced no opposition.
During his time as a state legislator, Pocan has consistently earned a reputation for moving the Wisconsin political debate to the left. One of the most outspoken progressive members of the state assembly, Pocan has focused on difficult issues including corrections reform, the state budget, education funding, and fighting privatization schemes.
Pocan is currently serves on the Assembly Committee on Urban and Local Affairs, the Assembly Committee on Colleges and Universities, and the Joint Survey Committee on Retirement Systems.
Democrat
, and is a member of a number of organizations, including Wisconsin Citizens Action, the American Civil Liberties Union
, Fair Wisconsin and Midwest Progressive Elected Officials Network.
He is a member of the AFL-CIO
, which he joined as a small business owner. Pocan owns and still operates a small specialty printing company, Budget Signs & Specialties.
Pocan is notable for being the only openly gay member of the state assembly and is one of only two gay members of the Wisconsin State Legislature, alongside Sen. Tim Carpenter
(D-Milwaukee
).
He has been an active participant in the ongoing debate regarding same-sex marriage in Wisconsin, though the state has approved a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.
On November 24, 2006, Pocan and his long-term partner, Philip Frank, were legally married in Toronto
, Ontario
. The marriage is not legally recognized in Wisconsin.
Mark Pocan's brother William Pocan serves as a circuit court judge in Milwaukee County.
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
Wisconsin State Assembly
The Wisconsin State Assembly is the lower house of the Wisconsin Legislature. Together with the smaller Wisconsin Senate, the two constitute the legislative branch of the U.S. state of Wisconsin....
, first elected to represent the 78th district in 1998. He represents parts of downtown Madison
Madison, Wisconsin
Madison is the capital of the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Dane County. It is also home to the University of Wisconsin–Madison....
and his district includes the Wisconsin State Capitol
Wisconsin State Capitol
The Wisconsin State Capitol, in Madison, Wisconsin, houses both chambers of the Wisconsin legislature along with the Wisconsin Supreme Court and the Office of the Governor. Completed during 1917, the building is the fifth to serve as the Wisconsin capitol since the first territorial legislature...
. In September 2011, Pocan announced that he would seek election to replace Democratic U.S. Representative Tammy Baldwin
Tammy Baldwin
Tammy Suzanne Green Baldwin is the U.S. Representative for Wisconsin's 2nd congressional district, serving since 1999. She is a member of the Democratic Party. In September 2011, Baldwin announced she would be a candidate in the 2012 U.S...
as the next member of Congress from Wisconsin's 2nd congressional district.
Early life and career
Pocan attended Mary D. Bradford High SchoolMary D. Bradford High School
Bradford High School is a high school that serves students in grades 9 to 12 located in Kenosha, Wisconsin. It is the primary high school for students on the north side of the city.-History:...
in Kenosha
Kenosha, Wisconsin
Kenosha is a city and the county seat of Kenosha County in the State of Wisconsin in United States. With a population of 99,218 as of May 2011, Kenosha is the fourth-largest city in Wisconsin. Kenosha is also the fourth-largest city on the western shore of Lake Michigan, following Chicago,...
. He attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison
University of Wisconsin–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
, earning a bachelor’s degree in 1986.
Political career
In 1991, Pocan was elected to the first of three terms on the Dane CountyDane County, Wisconsin
As of the census of 2000, there were 426,526 people, 173,484 households, and 100,794 families residing in the county. The population density was 355 people per square mile . There were 180,398 housing units at an average density of 150 per square mile...
Board of Supervisors
County board of supervisors
The Board of Supervisors is the body that supervises the operation of county government in all counties in Arizona, California, Iowa, Mississippi, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Sussex County, New Jersey as well as a handful of counties in New York...
. He left the board in 1996.
In 1998, Tammy Baldwin
Tammy Baldwin
Tammy Suzanne Green Baldwin is the U.S. Representative for Wisconsin's 2nd congressional district, serving since 1999. She is a member of the Democratic Party. In September 2011, Baldwin announced she would be a candidate in the 2012 U.S...
, then a state representative from the 78th district, mounted a successful bid for Congress. Pocan ran to succeed her in the state legislature and won a three-way Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
primary with 54% of the vote. He faced no Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
opponent in the general election and defeated an independent, polling 15,828 votes (93%) to his opponent's 1,251 (7%). He has been re-elected biennially ever since, including in 2010 when he faced no opposition.
During his time as a state legislator, Pocan has consistently earned a reputation for moving the Wisconsin political debate to the left. One of the most outspoken progressive members of the state assembly, Pocan has focused on difficult issues including corrections reform, the state budget, education funding, and fighting privatization schemes.
Pocan is currently serves on the Assembly Committee on Urban and Local Affairs, the Assembly Committee on Colleges and Universities, and the Joint Survey Committee on Retirement Systems.
Other organizations
Pocan identifies as a progressiveProgressivism
Progressivism is an umbrella term for a political ideology advocating or favoring social, political, and economic reform or changes. Progressivism is often viewed by some conservatives, constitutionalists, and libertarians to be in opposition to conservative or reactionary ideologies.The...
Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
, and is a member of a number of organizations, including Wisconsin Citizens Action, the American Civil Liberties Union
American Civil Liberties Union
The American Civil Liberties Union is a U.S. non-profit organization whose stated mission is "to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every person in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States." It works through litigation, legislation, and...
, Fair Wisconsin and Midwest Progressive Elected Officials Network.
He is a member of the AFL-CIO
AFL-CIO
The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, commonly AFL–CIO, is a national trade union center, the largest federation of unions in the United States, made up of 56 national and international unions, together representing more than 11 million workers...
, which he joined as a small business owner. Pocan owns and still operates a small specialty printing company, Budget Signs & Specialties.
Personal life
Pocan was born and raised in Kenosha, Wisconsin. He attended Harvey Elementary, Washington Junior High, and graduated from Mary D. Bradford High School in 1982.Pocan is notable for being the only openly gay member of the state assembly and is one of only two gay members of the Wisconsin State Legislature, alongside Sen. Tim Carpenter
Tim Carpenter
Timothy W. "Tim" Carpenter is a Democratic member of the Wisconsin Senate, representing the 3rd District since 2003. He earlier served in the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing the 20th District from 1985 through 2003.-Early life, education and career:...
(D-Milwaukee
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee is the largest city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, the 28th most populous city in the United States and 39th most populous region in the United States. It is the county seat of Milwaukee County and is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. According to 2010 census data, the...
).
He has been an active participant in the ongoing debate regarding same-sex marriage in Wisconsin, though the state has approved a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.
On November 24, 2006, Pocan and his long-term partner, Philip Frank, were legally married in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
. The marriage is not legally recognized in Wisconsin.
Mark Pocan's brother William Pocan serves as a circuit court judge in Milwaukee County.
Recognition
Pocan has received the following recognition while in office:- Environmental Decade award
- ACLU Special Recognition award
- Outreach Man of the Year
- Teachers State Employee Council Representative of the Year
External links
- Wisconsin Assembly - Representative Mark Pocan official page of the Wisconsin Legislature website
- Mark Pocan personal website