Openly gay Mark Pocan on Tuesday won
the Democratic primary for Wisconsin's 2nd Congressional
District, formerly represented by Rep. Tammy Baldwin.
Pocan soundly defeated three rivals,
including fellow state Rep. Kelda Helen Roys, his main opponent. He
will go on to face Republican Chad Lee in the fall.
Pocan, who turned 48 on Tuesday, was
greeted with birthday wishes as he approached the podium last night
for his victory speech.
He thanked his supporters and told them
he understood that he has “big shoes to fill” representing the
district.
“This is the seat of Fighting Bob La
Follette. This is the seat of Bob Kastenmeier. And this is the seat
of Tammy Baldwin,” he said.
The district, which includes Madison,
runs heavily Democratic and Pocan is considered a shoe-in to replace
Baldwin, who is vying for a seat in the U.S. Senate.
(Related: Tammy
Baldwin endorsed by lesbian super PAC.)
Pocan has the endorsement of the Gay &
Lesbian Victory Fund, a group dedicated to supporting openly gay
candidates for elected office.
“Mark Pocan is an outstanding public
servant who will be a strong and authentic voice for LGBT Americans
in Congress,” Chuck Wolfe, CEO of the Victory Fund, told gay weekly
the Washington
Blade. “It's fitting that as Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin
fights to win a historic victory in the Senate, Mark Pocan will
follow in her footsteps as one of the most powerful voices for LGBT
equality in America.”