Mark DeSaulnier

Mark DeSaulnier
Name	Mark DeSaulnier
Caption	Official portrait, 2016
State	California
District	10th
Term start	January 3, 2015
Predecessor	Ellen Tauscher
Party	Democratic
Alma mater	College of the Holy Cross (BA)
Birth date	31 March 1952
Birth place	Lowell, Massachusetts, U.S.

Mark DeSaulnier is an American politician serving as the U.S. Representative for California's 10th congressional district since 2015. A member of the Democratic Party, his district encompasses much of Contra Costa County, including cities like Concord, Martinez, and Richmond. Prior to his election to Congress, he served in local and state government, including as a County Supervisor and in the California State Legislature.

Early life and education

Mark DeSaulnier was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, and attended local schools before enrolling at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1974. His early career was not in politics but in the restaurant business, where he owned and operated several establishments in the San Francisco Bay Area, including the popular T.G.I. Friday's franchise in Concord. This entrepreneurial experience later informed his perspectives on small business and labor issues.

Early career

DeSaulnier's entry into public service began at the local level in Contra Costa County. He was elected to the Concord City Council and later served as the city's Mayor. In 1994, he won a seat on the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors, where he focused on issues like land use planning, transportation, and environmental protection. His work on the Metropolitan Transportation Commission and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District established his expertise in regional governance. In 2006, he was elected to the California State Assembly, representing the 11th district, and in 2008, he moved to the California State Senate for the 7th district.

U.S. House of Representatives

Following the retirement of Representative Ellen Tauscher, DeSaulnier was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 2014. He serves on several influential committees, including the Committee on Education and Labor and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. As a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, he has been a vocal advocate for infrastructure investment, notably authoring provisions in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. He also serves on the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress and has been active in efforts related to parliamentary reform and ethics in government.

Political positions

DeSaulnier is considered a progressive Democrat with a legislative focus on workers' rights, environmental justice, and healthcare reform. He is a co-sponsor of Medicare for All legislation and the Green New Deal resolution. He has introduced bills to strengthen collective bargaining rights, increase the federal minimum wage, and protect the San Francisco Bay through restoration projects. On foreign policy, he supports a robust alliance with NATO and has been critical of actions by Russia and China. He voted to impeach President Donald Trump during both the first and second impeachment trials.

Electoral history

DeSaulnier won his initial election to the House in 2014 with over 70% of the vote and has been re-elected comfortably in subsequent cycles, including the 2016, 2018, 2020, and 2022 elections. His district, California's 10th congressional district, is considered a Democratic stronghold, as evidenced by its performance in presidential elections for candidates like Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Joe Biden. He typically faces only nominal opposition in the top-two primary system used in California.

Personal life

DeSaulnier is divorced and has three sons. He is a longtime resident of Concord and is an avid runner, having completed multiple marathons. In early 2020, he was diagnosed with pneumonia which was later confirmed as COVID-19, making him one of the first members of Congress to contract the virus; he was treated at George Washington University Hospital and recovered. He has been open about this health challenge and his subsequent advocacy for public health funding and pandemic preparedness.

Category:1952 births Category:Living people Category:Members of the United States House of Representatives from California Category:California Democrats