
Biography
Overview
Mark Pocan is a Democratic U.S. Representative from Wisconsin's 2nd congressional district (based in Madison), serving since 2013. He is co-chair of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus and chair emeritus of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. Before his election to Congress, Pocan served in the Wisconsin State Assembly from 1999 to 2013, representing the 78th district and succeeding Tammy Baldwin in both positions. He is openly gay and is among the few U.S. representatives who do not identify with any religion.
Career
In the Wisconsin Assembly, Pocan earned a reputation as a progressive voice on corrections reform, budget issues, education funding, and opposing privatization. In Congress, he has championed Medicare protections, defense spending reduction, and LGBTQ+ rights. He co-chaired the Congressional Progressive Caucus and authored legislation to dismantle ICE, ban corporate mergers in agriculture, and impose moratoriums on certain business consolidations. He has opposed U.S. military involvement in Yemen and Syria and has been vocal on Palestinian rights issues.
Prior political experience
Pocan was first elected to Congress in 2012, winning the Democratic primary with 72% of the vote and defeating Republican Chad Lee 68%–32% in the general election. His district is heavily Democratic. Prior to Congress, he served in the Wisconsin State Assembly starting in 1998, winning his initial race with 93% of the vote (facing only an independent opponent). He was reelected in 2000 with 81% against his only Republican challenger, then ran unopposed from 2002 to 2010.
Biographical material adapted from the Wikipedia article (retrieved April 29, 2026), available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Ideology
Liberal–Conservative (DW-NOMINATE dim 1)
Secondary axis (DW-NOMINATE dim 2)(?)
Campaigns targeting Mark Pocan
No active campaigns target Mark Pocan right now.
Start a campaign targeting Mark PocanOfficeholding history
| Term | Seat | Term dates | Termination | Predecessor | Successor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7th | U.S. House WI-2 | 2025–present | In progress | Mark Pocan | — |
| 6th | U.S. House WI-2 | 2023–2025 | Term ended | Mark Pocan | Mark Pocan |
| 5th | U.S. House WI-2 | 2021–2023 | Term ended | Mark Pocan | Mark Pocan |
| 4th | U.S. House WI-2 | 2019–2021 | Term ended | Mark Pocan | Mark Pocan |
| 3rd | U.S. House WI-2 | 2017–2019 | Term ended | Mark Pocan | Mark Pocan |
| 2nd | U.S. House WI-2 | 2015–2017 | Term ended | Mark Pocan | Mark Pocan |
| 1st | U.S. House WI-2 | 2013–2015 | Term ended | Tammy Baldwin | Mark Pocan |
Committee assignments
- Financial Services and General GovernmentHouse· 2025–present
- Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related AgenciesHouse· 2025–present
- House· 2025–present
Current term legislation
Bills sponsored this term10
- H.R. 7803
Save Medicare Act
Mar 4, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 7555
Audit the Pentagon Act of 2026
Feb 12, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 7189
PrEP Access Act
Jan 21, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 6114
To prohibit funds made available to the Department of Health and Human Services by previous Appropriations Acts from being used for any activity that makes Medicare Advantage the default under the Medicare program.
Nov 18, 2025IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 6110
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to require Medicare Advantage plans to automatically reconsider determinations denying coverage.
Nov 18, 2025IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 6115
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to maintain a website for Medicare beneficiaries to search for providers participating in MA plans and traditional Medicare.
Nov 18, 2025IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 6112
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish certain requirements with respect to the average monthly cost to provide coverage to an enrollee under Medicare Advantage plans.
Nov 18, 2025IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 6108
To amend title XI of the Social Security Act to require the Secretary to exclude certain individuals and entities who commit fraud from participation in any Federal health care program.
Nov 18, 2025IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 6111
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to require any advertisement of a Medicare Advantage plan to include information related to the rates of prior authorization denials under such plan.
Nov 18, 2025IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 6113
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to impose limitations on contracts with Medicare Advantage organizations offering multiple Medicare Advantage plans under the Medicare program.
Nov 18, 2025IN_COMMITTEE
Bills cosponsored this term10
- H.R. 8397
To protect Moms and babies against climate change, and for other purposes.
Apr 21, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 8377
Stop Deadly Denials Act of 2026
Apr 20, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 8275
Commission on Presidential Capacity to Discharge the Powers and Duties of the Office Act
Apr 14, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 8103
To prohibit the use of funds to use military force in or against Cuba, and for other purposes.
Mar 26, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 8002
To require coverage of incarcerated workers under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, and for other purposes.
Mar 19, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 7977
To provide relief from high energy bills, and for other purposes.
Mar 18, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 7973
Momnibus Act
Mar 18, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 7940
SAFE Pathways Act
Mar 16, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 7917
Fair Wages for Home Care Workers Act
Mar 12, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 7853
PrEP Access and Coverage Act of 2026
Mar 5, 2026IN_COMMITTEE
Elections
| Year | Seat | Result | Vote share | Field |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | U.S. House WI-2 | Pending | 70.05% |
|