Mark Pocan

Mark Pocan is a Democratic politician and small business owner who has served as the U.S. Representative for Wisconsin's 2nd congressional district since 2013. Born and raised in Kenosha, Wisconsin, Pocan earned a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1986. Shortly after graduation, he opened a union printing shop, Budget Signs & Specialties, which he continues to operate. His political career began at the local level with three terms on the Dane County Board of Supervisors from 1991 to 1996. In 1998, Pocan was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly, succeeding Tammy Baldwin. He served 14 years in the state legislature, focusing on the state budget and education funding, including a tenure as co-chair of the Joint Finance Committee. In 2012, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives to once again succeed Tammy Baldwin after her election to the U.S. Senate. Throughout his time in Congress, Pocan has emerged as a prominent leader of the party's progressive wing, serving as a former co-chair and current Chair Emeritus of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. He is also a co-chair of the Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus and a co-founder of the Labor Caucus.

Mark Pocan's policy platform is rooted in progressive economic and social justice. He is a steadfast advocate for 'Medicare for All' and has consistently co-sponsored single-payer healthcare legislation while also supporting the expansion of the Affordable Care Act. On economic issues, he supports raising the federal minimum wage, strengthening labor unions, and increasing taxes on corporations and high-income earners to fund public services. His environmental stance includes a commitment to clean energy investment and reducing the national carbon footprint to combat climate change. In foreign policy, Pocan often advocates for diplomatic solutions over military intervention and has proposed reallocating portions of the defense budget toward domestic priorities like education and infrastructure. Additionally, he is a leading voice for LGBTQ+ rights and has sponsored legislation to protect voting rights and ensure access to affordable higher education.