Mark Pocan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mark Pocan
Official portrait, 2017
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Wisconsin's 2nd district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 2013
Preceded by	Tammy Baldwin
Co-Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus
In office May 23, 2017 – January 3, 2021
Preceded by	Keith Ellison
Succeeded by	Pramila Jayapal (Chair)
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 78th district
In office January 3, 1999 – January 3, 2013
Preceded by	Tammy Baldwin
Succeeded by	Brett Hulsey
Personal details
Born	Mark William Pocan (1964-08-14) August 14, 1964 (age 60) Kenosha, Wisconsin, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Philip Frank ​ (m. 2006)​
Relatives	William S. Pocan (brother)
Education	University of Wisconsin, Madison (BA)

Mark William Pocan (born August 14, 1964) is an American politician and businessman. He currently serves as a U.S. representative for Wisconsin's 2nd congressional district. He has held this position since 2013. This district includes the state capital, Madison.

As a member of the Democratic Party, Pocan is a leader in Congress. He is a co-chair of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus. He is also a past chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. Before joining the U.S. House, he was a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly. He served there from 1999 to 2013. He took over that role from Tammy Baldwin, whom he also replaced in the U.S. House.

Early Life and Education

Mark Pocan grew up in Kenosha, Wisconsin. He went to Harvey Elementary School and Washington Junior High School. In 1982, he graduated from Mary D. Bradford High School. He was even elected senior class president.

After high school, he attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison. In 1986, he earned a bachelor's degree in journalism.

Early Career

Soon after college, Mark Pocan started his own small business. It was a printing company called Budget Signs & Specialties. He still owns and runs this business today. He is also a member of the AFL–CIO, which is a large group of labor unions.

While at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Pocan was active in College Democrats. This led him to be elected to the Dane County Board of Supervisors in 1991. He represented the downtown Madison community for three terms, leaving the board in 1996.

Wisconsin Assembly

Mark Pocan at a school event in 2012

Becoming a State Representative

In 1998, Mark Pocan's friend, Tammy Baldwin, left her seat in the Wisconsin State Assembly. She ran for Congress instead. Pocan decided to run for her old seat in western Madison. He won the primary election with 54% of the vote. He then won the general election with 93% of the vote. He was reelected in 2000 with 81% of the vote. From 2002 to 2010, he ran unopposed and won easily.

His Work in the Assembly

As a state legislator, Pocan became known for his progressive ideas. He focused on important issues. These included improving the justice system and managing the state budget. He also worked on funding for education. He fought against plans to privatize public services.

For six years, Pocan was part of the Joint Finance Committee. This committee deals with state money. He also helped lead the Assembly Democrats. In 2008, he helped Democrats win back the majority in the Assembly. This was the first time in 14 years.

Assembly Committees

• Committee on Urban and Local Affairs
• Committee on Colleges and Universities
• Joint Survey Committee on Retirement Systems
• Joint Finance Committee

U.S. House of Representatives

Becoming a U.S. Representative

In 2012, Tammy Baldwin left her congressional seat to run for the U.S. Senate. Mark Pocan decided to run for her open seat in Wisconsin's 2nd congressional district. He won the Democratic primary with 72% of the vote. He won every county in the district. On November 6, 2012, Pocan won the general election. He defeated Republican Chad Lee with 68% of the vote.

His Work in Congress

In 2023, Pocan was one of many Democrats who voted to remove U.S. troops from Syria. He also voted against a bill called the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023.

In April 2024, after aid workers were harmed in World Central Kitchen drone strikes, Pocan and other lawmakers wrote to President Joe Biden. They asked him to rethink sending weapons to the Israeli military. In July 2024, Pocan also called for Joe Biden to withdraw from the 2024 United States presidential election.

House Committees

• Committee on Appropriations
  • Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies
  • Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government
  • Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies
• Committee on Education and Labor
  • Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Investment

Caucus Memberships

A caucus is a group of lawmakers who share common interests.

• Congressional Progressive Caucus
• Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus (Co-chair)
• Veterinary Medicine Caucus
• Congressional Animal Protection Caucus
• Defense Spending Reduction Caucus
• Medicare for All Caucus
• Blue Collar Caucus
• Congressional Freethought Caucus
• Congressional Caucus for the Equal Rights Amendment
• Paper and Packaging Caucus
• Congressional Coalition on Adoption

Political Activism

Mark Pocan at an event in July 2018

Mark Pocan identifies as a progressive Democrat. This means he supports ideas that aim to improve society and protect people's rights. He is a member of groups like Wisconsin Citizens Action and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). The ACLU works to protect individual rights and freedoms.

Pocan also joined the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). This is a conservative group that creates model laws. He used his membership to learn about their goals and who supported them. He wrote articles about his experiences with ALEC for The Progressive magazine.

In September 2018, Pocan supported a law to stop U.S. involvement in the Saudi-led intervention in Yemen. He said the war was causing a terrible humanitarian crisis. He believed the U.S. should not support actions that harm innocent people. In April 2019, he and other lawmakers asked President Trump to sign a resolution to end U.S. military support in Yemen.

Pocan also believes in decreasing U.S. military spending. He argued that money spent on military companies could be used for other important things. These include ending the COVID-19 pandemic and helping small businesses.

In July 2019, Pocan voted against a House resolution that opposed the Global Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) Movement against Israel. On December 18, 2019, Pocan voted for both articles of impeachment against President Trump. In January 2020, Pocan supported Senator Bernie Sanders for president.

In May 2021, Pocan helped create a resolution to stop the sale of weapons to Israel. This happened after the Biden administration approved the sale. In July 2024, Pocan chose not to attend Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech to Congress. This was a protest against the Gaza-Israel conflict.

Personal Life

Mark Pocan is openly gay. He became active in the Madison LGBT community after a difficult experience. He was the only openly gay member of the state Assembly after Tammy Baldwin went to Congress.

On November 24, 2006, Pocan and his long-term partner, Philip Frank, were legally married in Toronto, Ontario.

Mark Pocan's brother, William S. Pocan, is a judge in Milwaukee County. Mark Pocan is also one of the few U.S. representatives who does not identify with any religion.

Awards and Honors

Mark Pocan has received several awards for his work:

• Fair Wisconsin Statewide Leader Award (2009)
• Professional Firefighters of Wisconsin Legislator of the Year (2008)
• Wisconsin Library Association’s Public Policy Award (2008)
• Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters Honor Roll (2008)
• Wisconsin Aids Fund award (2007)
• Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters Conservation Champion (2006)
• Wisconsin Counties Association Outstanding Legislator Award (2006 & 2008)
• Clean Wisconsin Clean 16 Award (2004, 2002 & 2000)
• ACLU Special Recognition Award (2001)
• Wisconsin Federation of Teachers State Employees Council Representative of the Year (2003 & 2002)
• Outreach Man of the Year (1999)

Electoral History

U.S. House of Representatives (2012–present)

See also

• List of LGBT members of the United States Congress

Images for kids

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  Official portrait, 2017

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  Mark Pocan at a school event in 2012

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  Mark Pocan at an event in July 2018