Openly gay Wisconsin state
Representative Mark Pocan is considering a run for Congress.
According
to The
Capital Times, Pocan has been approached about running for
Wisconsin Representative Tammy Baldwin's congressional seat, should
she choose to seek another office.
Baldwin is among a handful of lawmakers
considering a run to succeed Wisconsin Senator Herb Kohl, who
announced last month that he would not seek a fifth term in 2012.
Sources close to Baldwin have said she
is “very likely” to run for the seat.
The paper is reporting that the Gay &
Lesbian Victory Fund, a group devoted to promoting openly gay elected
officials, has inquired about Pocan's interest in vying for the seat.
Pocan said the group is “very
enthusiastically” promoting his interest in Baldwin's seat.
“I am seriously considering a run for
her congressional seat,” he told the paper. “But it's all in
Tammy's hands. She starts the domino effect.”
Baldwin is among the four openly gay
lawmakers serving in the House. Also gay are David
Cicilline of Rhode Island, Barney Frank of Massachusetts and
Jared Polis of Colorado.
Baldwin is a perennial favorite among
her constituents – she won 63% percent of the vote on November 2 –
but remains untested in a statewide election.