Eric Sorensen

Democrat Representative of Illinois's 17th district

Congresses Served

House Terms

March 18, 1976 (48 years old)

Birthday

American meteorologist and politician
Serving as the U.S. representative since 2023
First openly gay member of Congress from Illinois
Graduated from Boylan Catholic High School
Holds a degree in communications and meteorology from Northern Illinois University
Began his career as a meteorologist in Texas before moving back to Illinois
Worked as chief meteorologist for WREX in Rockford and senior meteorologist for WQAD in Moline
Became a fellow of the Society for Environmental Journalists in 2018
Retired from television in 2021 to work in communications before running for Congress
Declared candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives in 2022 and won the general election
Voted against lifting COVID-19 vaccine mandates for healthcare workers and ending the COVID-19 national emergency
Voted against directing the removal of U.S. troops from Syria within 180 days
Holds committee assignments on the Committee on Agriculture and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
Co-chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus and member of the Heartland Caucus and New Democrat Coalition
Lives with his partner in Moline, Illinois