34 Facts About Mark Schauer

Mark Hamilton Schauer was born on October 2,1961 and is an American politician who served as a US representative for from 2009 to 2011.

Mark Schauer was the Democratic nominee for governor of Michigan in the 2014 election.

Mark Schauer's mother, Myra, was a registered nurse, and his father, Robert Schauer, was a high school science teacher.

Mark Schauer was valedictorian of his class at Howell High School.

Mark Schauer earned a master's degree in political science from Michigan State University in 1997.

Mark Schauer began his career in program development for the Community Action Agency in Battle Creek.

Shortly afterwards, the director left for another position and Mark Schauer was selected to run the CAA, which then consisted of 200 employees, had a 21-member board of directors and offered a broad range of programs for the poor, including home weatherization, a foster grandparent program, food assistance and the local Head Start Program for children.

Mark Schauer was a founding board member of Battle Creek Habitat for Humanity in 1988 and was honored for fifteen years of service by being named the "2003 Public Official of the Year" by Habitat for Humanity of Michigan.

Mark Schauer has been actively involved in the supporting the Food Bank of South Central Michigan and the Urban League of Battle Creek.

Mark Schauer serves on the board of directors of the Kids 'N' Stuff Children's Museum in Albion.

In 1993, Mark Schauer ran for a seat on the Battle Creek City Commission and lost by 200 votes.

In 1996, Mark Schauer ran for the 62nd district of the Michigan House of Representatives.

Mark Schauer served as the Assistant Democratic Leader from 1999 to 2000.

In 2002, Mark Schauer ran for the 19th district of the Michigan Senate.

Mark Schauer served as the Senate Minority Whip from 2003 to 2006.

Mark Schauer became the Senate Minority Leader after the 2006 elections.

Mark Schauer was considered a top contender for the Democratic nomination and his announcement resulted in David Nacht, who had raised $160K in the first quarter, to drop out of the race.

Mark Schauer won four of the district's seven counties: Calhoun, Washtenaw, Eaton, and Jackson.

Mark Schauer is the second Democrat to represent this district since World War I; the district had been numbered as the 2nd District prior to the 1990s round of redistricting.

Mark Schauer was endorsed by Michigan's largest newspaper, the Detroit Free Press.

Mark Schauer supported the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, earning him praise from the US Chamber of Commerce, and pledged "vigorous oversight" of how funds were used.

Mark Schauer voted against the Federal Reserve Transparency Act to audit the Federal Reserve System.

In July 2011, Mark Schauer declined to seek a third rematch with Walberg in the 2012 elections.

Mark Schauer ruled out running against Republican Justin Amash in the 3rd congressional district after redistricting moved his house into that district.

On December 11,2012, Mark Schauer was one of an estimated 12,500 demonstrators at the Michigan State Capitol protesting the proposed Right-to-work legislation.

Senate Minority Leader Gretchen Whitmer, who had removed herself from consideration in January, stated in April 2013 that she expected Mark Schauer to be nominated unopposed.

Mark Schauer brings the energy and passion that Democrats will rally around, and he brings the know-how and policy expertise that Michigan needs.

Mark Schauer lost to incumbent Governor Rick Snyder on November 4,2014.

In November 2013, Mark Schauer proposed increasing Michigan's minimum wage from $7.40 per hour to $9.25 per hour over three years, and then indexing future minimum wage increases to inflation.

Mark Schauer appeared on the floor of the Senate arm-in-arm with Republican Majority Leader Randy Richardville, congratulating Richardville and highlighting the similarities between his original proposal and the legislation that had just been passed.

Mark Schauer has objected to what he calls "a massive $1.8 billion tax cut to businesses," referencing the 2011 elimination of the Michigan Business Tax.

When Michigan's bans on same-sex marriage and adoption by same-sex couples were overturned in DeBoer v Snyder, Schauer issued a statement supporting the ruling and encouraged Snyder and Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette to not appeal the decision.

Four Michigan counties issued 323 marriage licenses to same-sex couples after the ruling but before an appeals court stayed on the decision, and Mark Schauer has encouraged the state of Michigan to recognize those marriages.

Mark Schauer's running mate for lieutenant governor, Oakland County Clerk Lisa Brown, is one of the county clerks who issued marriage licenses to same-sex couples prior to the appeal.