1. Mark Allan Takano is an American politician and academic who has served in the United States House of Representatives since 2013, representing California's 41st congressional district from 2013 to 2023 and the 39th congressional district since 2023.
Mark Takano is Sansei, that is, the grandson of people born in Japan who immigrated to the United States.
Mark Takano attended La Sierra High School in the Alvord Unified School District, where he graduated as class valedictorian.
Mark Takano taught British literature in public schools for 23 years.
Mark Takano was a member of the Republican Party through college, then he became a member of the Democratic Party.
Mark Takano ran for the United States House of Representatives in California's 43rd congressional district.
In July 2011, Mark Takano announced he would run for the House in the newly redrawn 41st congressional district, established in the redistricting following the 2010 United States census.
Mark Takano became the first openly gay non-white member of the House.
Mark Takano co-chairs the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus and is a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, the Congressional Arts Caucus, the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, the United States Congressional International Conservation Caucus, US-Japan Caucus, and the Advanced Energy Storage Caucus.
Mark Takano opposed the overturning of Roe v Wade, calling it "offensive and radical".
In March 2024, Mark Takano criticized Israel's actions in the Gaza war.
Mark Takano endorsed Bernie Sanders in the presidential primary election, saying Sanders "has a bold vision" and "can get things done".
The interview broached the topic of trans bathroom use, to which Mark Takano responded by defending his belief in transgender identities before abruptly exiting the interview.
On July 20,2024, Mark Takano called for Joe Biden to withdraw from the 2024 United States presidential election.