Mark Pocan: Difference between revisions
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On [[November 24]], [[2006]], Pocan and his long-term partner, Philip Frank, were legally married in [[Toronto]], [[Ontario]].<ref name="conklin">{{citation |title=Gay Legislator's Marriage Is About Being A Couple |periodical=[[Wisconsin State Journal]] |url=http://www.madison.com/archives/read.php?ref=/wsj/2006/12/13/0612130002.php |date=[[December 13]], [[2006]] |first=Melanie |last=Conklin |accessdate=2008-03-12 }}</ref> The marriage is not legally recognized in Wisconsin. |
On [[November 24]], [[2006]], Pocan and his long-term partner, Philip Frank, were legally married in [[Toronto]], [[Ontario]].<ref name="conklin">{{citation |title=Gay Legislator's Marriage Is About Being A Couple |periodical=[[Wisconsin State Journal]] |url=http://www.madison.com/archives/read.php?ref=/wsj/2006/12/13/0612130002.php |date=[[December 13]], [[2006]] |first=Melanie |last=Conklin |accessdate=2008-03-12 }}</ref> The marriage is not legally recognized in Wisconsin. |
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Mark Pocan's brother William Pocan serves as a Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge <ref> http://www.wislawjournal.com/archive/2006/0719/pocan.html </ref> |
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==Recognition== |
==Recognition== |
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Revision as of 23:22, 3 October 2009
Mark Pocan | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 78th district | |
| Assumed office January 1999 | |
| Preceded by | Tammy Baldwin |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 14, 1964 Kenosha, Wisconsin |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Domestic partner | Philip Frank |
| Residence | Madison, Wisconsin |
| Alma mater | University of Wisconsin, Madison |
| Occupation | business owner |
| Website | MarkPocan.net |
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.
Early life and career
Pocan attended Mary D. Bradford High School in Kenosha. He attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison, earning a bachelor’s degree in 1986.
Political career
In 1991, Pocan was elected to the first of three terms on the Dane County 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 2008 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 the Assembly Chair of the Joint Committee on Finance, and serves on the Joint Legislative Council and the Joint Committee on Audit within the Assembly.
Other organizations
Pocan identifies as a progressive Democrat, and is a member of a number of organizations, including Wisconsin Citizens Action, the American Civil Liberties Union, Action 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.[1]
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,[1] 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.[2] The marriage is not legally recognized in Wisconsin.
Mark Pocan's brother William Pocan serves as a Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge [3]
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
References
- ^ a b Weier, Anita (October 28, 2004), "UW Student Challenges Rep. Pocan", The Capital Times, retrieved 2008-03-12
{{citation}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Conklin, Melanie (December 13, 2006), "Gay Legislator's Marriage Is About Being A Couple", Wisconsin State Journal, retrieved 2008-03-12
{{citation}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ http://www.wislawjournal.com/archive/2006/0719/pocan.html
External links
- Wisconsin Assembly - Representative Mark Pocan official government website
- Mark Pocan official campaign website
- Profile at Vote Smart
- Follow the Money - Mark Pocan
- Campaign 2008 campaign contributions at Wisconsin Democracy Campaign