Mark Pocan

Mark Pocan is an American politician and member of the Democratic Party who has been serving as the U.S. Representative for Wisconsin's 2nd congressional district since 2013, succeeding Tammy Baldwin, who was elected to the U.S. Senate. Pocan's congressional district includes the cities of Madison and Middleton, as well as the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He is a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and has been endorsed by organizations such as the Sierra Club, Planned Parenthood, and the AFL-CIO.

● Early Life and Education

Mark Pocan was born in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and grew up in Kenosha County, Wisconsin. He graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School and later attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he earned a degree in journalism from the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Journalism & Mass Communication. During his time at the university, Pocan was involved in various student organizations, including the University of Wisconsin–Madison Student Government, and was a member of the Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity. After college, Pocan worked as a small business owner, operating a printing company called Budget Signs & Specialties in Madison, Wisconsin, which was a member of the Madison Chamber of Commerce.

● Career

Before being elected to Congress, Pocan served in the Wisconsin State Assembly from 1999 to 2013, representing the 78th Assembly District, which includes parts of Dane County. During his time in the state assembly, Pocan was a member of the Assembly Committee on Education and the Assembly Committee on Labor, and was a strong supporter of labor unions, including the Wisconsin Education Association Council and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters and was a member of the National Conference of State Legislatures.

● U.S. House of Representatives

Pocan was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2012, winning the Democratic primary with the support of organizations such as the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and the Progressive Change Campaign Committee. He went on to defeat his Republican opponent, Chad Lee, in the general election, and was sworn into office on January 3, 2013. In Congress, Pocan has served on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce and the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and has been a member of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus and the Congressional Cannabis Caucus. He has also been endorsed by organizations such as the Human Rights Campaign, the National Organization for Women, and the NAACP.

● Political Positions

Pocan is known for his progressive politics and has been a strong supporter of issues such as single-payer healthcare, climate change mitigation, and LGBT rights. He has also been a vocal critic of income inequality and has supported legislation such as the Raise the Wage Act and the Paycheck Fairness Act. Pocan has been a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and has worked with other progressive lawmakers, including Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, and Keith Ellison, to advance progressive policies. He has also been a strong supporter of organized labor and has worked with organizations such as the AFL-CIO and the Service Employees International Union to promote workers' rights.

● Personal Life

Pocan is LGBT and has been married to his husband, Philip Frank, since 2006. The couple has been involved in various LGBT advocacy organizations, including the Human Rights Campaign and the Trevor Project. Pocan has also been a strong supporter of arts and culture in his district, and has worked to promote the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art and the Wisconsin Union Theater. He is a member of the Congressional Arts Caucus and has supported legislation such as the Arts Require Timely Service Act. Pocan has also been recognized for his work on behalf of small businesses and has received awards from organizations such as the National Small Business Association and the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council.