Mark Takano

Democrat Representative of California's 39th district

202-225-2305

@RepMarkTakano

takano.house.gov

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December 10, 1960 (64 years old)

Birthday

Has served in the United States House of Representatives since 2013
Became the first gay person of Asian descent in Congress
Family was interned during World War II
Graduated as class valedictorian from La Sierra High School
Holds a B.A. in government from Harvard University and an MFA in creative writing from the University of California, Riverside
Taught British literature in public schools for 23 years
Initially a member of the Republican Party, switched to the Democratic Party in college
Elected to the Riverside Community College Board of Trustees in 1990
Ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. House of Representatives in 1992 and 1994 before winning in 2012
Serves on the Committee on Education and the Workforce and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, where he is the Ranking Member
Co-chairs the Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus and the Congressional Energy Storage Caucus
Acted as the Ranking Member of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee temporarily in 2016 and became the chair after the 2018 elections
Criticized Congress for its inaction on gun control following the 2015 San Bernardino attack
Endorsed Bernie Sanders in the 2020 presidential primary before supporting Joe Biden
Supports transgender rights and opposed the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act
Has a 100% rating from NARAL Pro-Choice America for his abortion-related voting record and opposed the overturning of Roe v. Wade
Supported both impeachments of Donald Trump