Current Role:
U.S. Representative for Wisconsin’s 2nd congressional district (2013–present)

Previous roles:
Member, Wisconsin State Assembly, 78th district (1999–2013)
Member, Dane County Board of Supervisors (1991–1996)

Education:
B.A., Journalism, University of Wisconsin–Madison (1986)

Background:
Born 1964, Kenosha, Wisconsin. Raised in Kenosha; graduated Mary D. Bradford High School (1982). Openly gay; married Philip Frank in 2006 in Toronto. Survived a violent anti-gay attack after college, fueling later activism.

Career:
Founded and owns Budget Signs & Specialties, a printing company. AFL-CIO member. Early political engagement as student and County Supervisor.

Political positions:
Democratic Party; identifies as a progressive. Advocates for LGBTQ rights, labor protections, corrections reform, decreased military spending, humane immigration, and public education. Chair of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus; Chair Emeritus, Congressional Progressive Caucus.

Legislative achievements:
Sponsored American Jobs Act and Compassionate Care for Rape Victims Act in Wisconsin. Led efforts for electronic voting machine paper trails, collective bargaining protections, and domestic partner rights. In Congress, sponsored legislation on voting rights, education, clean energy, and closing corporate tax loopholes. Introduced bills to dismantle ICE, reduce military spending, and restrict U.S. arms sales abroad.

Controversies:
In 2025, criticized for a social media post comparing White House staff to Nazis, which was condemned as antisemitic by the administration. Publicly called for President Biden’s withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race. Noted for protest actions regarding U.S. policy on Israel and Gaza.

Mark Pocan is the U.S. Representative for Wisconsin’s 2nd district, serving since 2013 and known for his progressive leadership. Born in Kenosha in 1964, Pocan previously served in the Wisconsin State Assembly and as a Dane County Supervisor. An openly gay advocate, he champions LGBTQ rights, labor, immigration reform, and reduced military spending. Pocan has sponsored significant legislation on jobs and healthcare, and led Democratic efforts on education funding and collective bargaining. In 2024–2025, he was vocal on U.S. policy toward Israel and called for President Biden to withdraw from the presidential race.