Mark Born

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Mark Born
Assembly Co-Chair of the Wisconsin Legislature's Joint Finance Committee
Assumed office
January 4, 2021
Preceded byJohn Nygren
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
Assumed office
January 6, 2025
Preceded byWilliam Penterman
Constituency37th district
In office
January 7, 2013 – January 6, 2025
Preceded byJeff Fitzgerald
Succeeded byAlex Dallman
Constituency39th district
Personal details
Born (1976-04-14) April 14, 1976 (age 49)
PartyRepublican
SpouseLiberty Ann Bell
Children1
Residence(s)Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
Alma materGustavus Adolphus College (BA)
OccupationCorrections officer, politician
Website

Mark Louis Born (born April 14, 1976) is an American Republican politician and former law enforcement officer from Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. He is a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing Wisconsin's 37th Assembly district since 2025; he previously represented the 39th Assembly district from 2013 to 2025. He is the Assembly co-chair of the Wisconsin Legislature's powerful budget-writing Joint Finance Committee, since 2021. Earlier in his career, he also served four years on the Beaver Dam city council (2005–2009), and was chairman of the Republican Party of Dodge County, Wisconsin (2002–2008).

Early life and career

[edit]

Mark Born was born, raised, and has lived most of his life in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. As a child, he became active with the church community and youth ministry. He graduated from Beaver Dam High School in 1994, and went on to attend Gustavus Adolphus College, in St. Peter, Minnesota, where he earned his bachelor's degree in political science and history in 1998.[1]

After college, Born returned to Beaver Dam and was employed with the Dodge County sheriff's department; he also served as a police auxiliary until 2004.[2] He took professional development courses at the Wisconsin State Patrol Academy, and was promoted to serve in corrections division administration in 2000.

Political career

[edit]

Born became active in politics with the Republican Party of Wisconsin when he was only a teenager, volunteering for the campaign of state representative Robert Goetsch in 1992.[3] By 2002 he was county chairman of the Republican Party of Dodge County, Wisconsin.[4] That year, he also served as a campaign coordinator for the gubernatorial campaign of Scott McCallum.[5]

McCallum lost the election, but the following spring, Born announced he would run for Beaver Dam city council.[6][7] At the April general election, Born was defeated by just 1 vote, receiving 140 votes to Bonnie Arndt's 141.[8] Shortly after the election, however, he was appointed to the city police and fire commission.[9] Two years later, Arndt announced she would not run for re-election to the council; Born ran again and this time won the election.[10][11] He was re-elected in 2007.[12] For much of his time on the city council, he was chairman of the city council's finance committee.

In December 2007, Born announced he would run for mayor of Beaver Dam in 2008, after the incumbent mayor, Jack Hanke, declined to run.[13] He was opposed in the election by city engineering coordinator Tom Kennedy.[14] Kennedy prevailed in a close election, receiving 52% of the vote.[15] Later that year, Born announced he would not run for re-election to the city council.[16]

After leaving office, Born was active in the 2010 gubernatorial election supporting Scott Walker. After Walker's victory, Born announced that he would run for Wisconsin State Assembly in 2012, in the 39th Assembly district seat being vacated by Jeff Fitzgerald.[17] Born faced two opponents for the Republican primary in the heavily Republican district, former Mayville mayor Tracy Heron and veteran Don Lechner. The candidates were largely aligned on the issues, advocating for less regulation, less spending, and less taxation, but Born had significant institutional support and rose to the top; he won the primary with 50% of the vote.[18][19] He went on to win the general election, receiving 60% of the vote over Democrat Jim Grigg.[20] Born was easily re-elected five times in the safe Republican district.

In his early years in the Assembly, Born was chairman of the Assembly Committee on Public Benefit Reform, but in the 2017 term he earned a coveted seat on the Legislature's powerful budget-writing Joint Finance Committee and the influential Rules Committee. After the 2020 election, he was named Assembly co-chair of the Joint Finance Committee.[21]

In 2024, the Legislature adopted a new redistricting act, which significantly affected districts lines in Dodge County. Beaver Dam shifted from the 39th district into the 37th district. Under the new map, Born faced a primary challenge from perennial candidate Steve Rydzewski, but won the primary and went on to win his 7th term in the Assembly.[22]

Personal life and family

[edit]

Born is a son of Allen and Sheri Born; his family has resided in the Beaver Dam area for four generations.[23]

Mark Born married Liberty Ann Bell. They still reside in Beaver Dam and have one child.[24]

Electoral history

[edit]

Beaver Dam city council (2003, 2005, 2007)

[edit]
YearElectionDateElectedDefeatedTotalPlurality
2003General[8]Apr. 1Bonnie ArndtNonpartisan14147.32%Mark BornNon.14046.98%2981
Dominic ConfortiNon.175.70%
2005General[11]Apr. 5Mark BornNonpartisan19075.40%Dominic ConfortiNon.6224.60%252128
2007General[12]Apr. 3Mark Born (inc)Nonpartisan26277.74%Mark DehnNon.7522.26%337187

Beaver Dam mayor (2008)

[edit]
YearElectionDateElectedDefeatedTotalPlurality
2008General[15]Apr. 1Tom KennedyNonpartisan1,78952.07%Mark BornNon.1,64747.93%3,436142

Wisconsin Assembly, 39th district (2012–2022)

[edit]
YearElectionDateElectedDefeatedTotalPlurality
2012Primary[19]Aug. 14Mark L. BornRepublican4,02350.53%Don LechnerRep.2,38129.90%7,9621,642
Tracy A. HeronRep.1,55419.52%
General[20]Nov. 6Mark L. BornRepublican17,46560.36%Jim GriggDem.11,44639.56%28,9336,019
2014General[25]Nov. 4Mark L. Born (inc)Republican16,79373.74%Richard BennettDem.5,97726.25%22,77210,816
2016General[26]Nov. 8Mark L. Born (inc)Republican19,02867.42%Jim ZahnDem.9,19232.57%28,2229,836
2018General[27]Nov. 6Mark L. Born (inc)Republican15,94063.38%Elisha BarudinDem.9,21036.62%25,1506,730
2020General[28]Nov. 3Mark L. Born (inc)Republican22,08568.73%Izzy Hassey NevarezDem.10,04931.27%32,13412,036
2022General[29]Nov. 8Mark L. Born (inc)Republican20,28497.64%Steve Rydzewski (write-in)Rep.4121.98%20,775

Wisconsin Assembly, 37th district (2024–present)

[edit]
YearElectionDateElectedDefeatedTotalPlurality
2024Primary[30]Aug. 13Mark L. BornRepublican4,70169.45%Steve RydzewskiRep.2,06830.55%6,7692,633
General[22]Nov. 5Mark L. BornRepublican20,97768.57%LaToya BatesDem.9,60831.41%30,58911,369

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Representative Mark Born". Wisconsin Legislature. 2025. Retrieved June 29, 2025.
  2. ^ "BD police auxiliary put in more hours in 1999". Beaver Dam Daily Citizen. April 13, 2000. p. 2. Retrieved June 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ Giese, Tom (November 3, 2004). "Party chairman's work isn't finished". Beaver Dam Daily Citizen. p. 1. Retrieved June 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "Lieutenant governor to speak at Republican party dinner". Beaver Dam Daily Citizen. January 29, 2002. p. 12. Retrieved June 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "McCallum announces Dodge County campaign coordinator". Beaver Dam Daily Citizen. April 10, 2002. p. 4. Retrieved June 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "No spring primary planned". Beaver Dam Daily Citizen. January 7, 2003. p. 1. Retrieved June 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "Mark Born". Beaver Dam Daily Citizen. March 25, 2003. p. 10. Retrieved June 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ a b "Ethanol, school referenda rejected". Beaver Dam Daily Citizen. April 2, 2003. p. 1. Retrieved June 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "Rezoning for hospital, condos draws questions". Beaver Dam Daily Citizen. April 20, 2004. p. 2. Retrieved June 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ Thomas, Ken (December 10, 2004). "Two will not seek office". Beaver Dam Daily Citizen. p. 1. Retrieved June 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ a b "Voters oust city veteran". Beaver Dam Daily Citizen. April 6, 2005. p. 1. Retrieved June 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ a b Baulch, Dan (April 4, 2007). "New and old". Beaver Dam Daily Citizen. p. 1. Retrieved June 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ Baulch, Dan (December 5, 2007). "Alderman throws hat in mayoral ring". Beaver Dam Daily Citizen. p. 1. Retrieved June 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ Baulch, Dan (March 19, 2008). "Kennedy, Born vie for mayor". Beaver Dam Daily Citizen. p. 1. Retrieved June 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ^ a b "Kennedy over Born". Beaver Dam Daily Citizen. April 2, 2008. p. 1. Retrieved June 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ "Born won't seek re-election". Beaver Dam Daily Citizen. December 16, 2008. p. 1. Retrieved June 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ^ Mann, Sarah (February 10, 2012). "Born to run—for Assembly". West Bend Daily News. p. 3. Retrieved June 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. ^ "GOP candidates for 39th District face off". West Bend Daily News. August 1, 2012. p. 3. Retrieved June 30, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. ^ a b Canvass Results for 2012 Partisan Primary - 8/14/2012 (Report). Wisconsin Government Accountability Board. August 28, 2012. p. 34. Retrieved June 30, 2025 – via Wisconsin Historical Society.
  20. ^ a b Canvass Results for 2012 Presidential and General Election - 11/6/2012 (Report). Wisconsin Government Accountability Board. December 26, 2012. p. 17. Retrieved June 30, 2025 – via Wisconsin Historical Society.
  21. ^ "Born picked for powerful post". Beaver Dam Daily Citizen. December 3, 2020. p. A1. Retrieved June 30, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  22. ^ a b County by County Report - 2024 General Election (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. November 27, 2024. p. 37. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  23. ^ "Candidate For Assembly District 39 - Mark L. Born". WisconsinVote.org. Archived from the original on November 13, 2012. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  24. ^ "Meet Mark". State Rep. Mark Born. Retrieved June 29, 2025.
  25. ^ Canvass Results for 2014 General Election - 11/4/2014 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Government Accountability Board. November 26, 2014. pp. 17–18. Retrieved June 30, 2025 – via Wisconsin Elections Commission.
  26. ^ Canvass Results for 2016 General Election - 11/8/2016 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. December 22, 2016. pp. 17–18. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  27. ^ Canvass Results for 2018 General Election - 11/6/2018 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. February 22, 2019. p. 19. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  28. ^ Canvass Results for 2020 General Election - 11/3/2020 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. November 18, 2020. p. 17. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  29. ^ Canvass Results for 2022 General Election - 11/8/2022 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. November 30, 2022. p. 17. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  30. ^ County by County Report - 2024 Partisan Primary (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. August 26, 2024. p. 136. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
[edit]

    Mark Born
    Assembly Co-Chair of the Wisconsin Legislature's Joint Finance Committee
    Assumed office
    January 4, 2021
    Preceded byJohn Nygren
    Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
    Assumed office
    January 6, 2025
    Preceded byWilliam Penterman
    Constituency37th district
    In office
    January 7, 2013 – January 6, 2025
    Preceded byJeff Fitzgerald
    Succeeded byAlex Dallman
    Constituency39th district
    Personal details
    Born (1976-04-14) April 14, 1976 (age 49)
    PartyRepublican
    SpouseLiberty Ann Bell
    Children1
    Residence(s)Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
    Alma materGustavus Adolphus College (BA)
    OccupationCorrections officer, politician
    Website
    • Official website
    • Campaign website

    Mark Louis Born (born April 14, 1976) is an American Republican politician and former law enforcement officer from Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. He is a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing Wisconsin's 37th Assembly district since 2025; he previously represented the 39th Assembly district from 2013 to 2025. He is the Assembly co-chair of the Wisconsin Legislature's powerful budget-writing Joint Finance Committee, since 2021. Earlier in his career, he also served four years on the Beaver Dam city council (2005–2009), and was chairman of the Republican Party of Dodge County, Wisconsin (2002–2008).

    Early life and career

    Mark Born was born, raised, and has lived most of his life in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. As a child, he became active with the church community and youth ministry. He graduated from Beaver Dam High School in 1994, and went on to attend Gustavus Adolphus College, in St. Peter, Minnesota, where he earned his bachelor's degree in political science and history in 1998.[1]

    After college, Born returned to Beaver Dam and was employed with the Dodge County sheriff's department; he also served as a police auxiliary until 2004.[2] He took professional development courses at the Wisconsin State Patrol Academy, and was promoted to serve in corrections division administration in 2000.

    Political career

    Born became active in politics with the Republican Party of Wisconsin when he was only a teenager, volunteering for the campaign of state representative Robert Goetsch in 1992.[3] By 2002 he was county chairman of the Republican Party of Dodge County, Wisconsin.[4] That year, he also served as a campaign coordinator for the gubernatorial campaign of Scott McCallum.[5]

    McCallum lost the election, but the following spring, Born announced he would run for Beaver Dam city council.[6][7] At the April general election, Born was defeated by just 1 vote, receiving 140 votes to Bonnie Arndt's 141.[8] Shortly after the election, however, he was appointed to the city police and fire commission.[9] Two years later, Arndt announced she would not run for re-election to the council; Born ran again and this time won the election.[10][11] He was re-elected in 2007.[12] For much of his time on the city council, he was chairman of the city council's finance committee.

    In December 2007, Born announced he would run for mayor of Beaver Dam in 2008, after the incumbent mayor, Jack Hanke, declined to run.[13] He was opposed in the election by city engineering coordinator Tom Kennedy.[14] Kennedy prevailed in a close election, receiving 52% of the vote.[15] Later that year, Born announced he would not run for re-election to the city council.[16]

    After leaving office, Born was active in the 2010 gubernatorial election supporting Scott Walker. After Walker's victory, Born announced that he would run for Wisconsin State Assembly in 2012, in the 39th Assembly district seat being vacated by Jeff Fitzgerald.[17] Born faced two opponents for the Republican primary in the heavily Republican district, former Mayville mayor Tracy Heron and veteran Don Lechner. The candidates were largely aligned on the issues, advocating for less regulation, less spending, and less taxation, but Born had significant institutional support and rose to the top; he won the primary with 50% of the vote.[18][19] He went on to win the general election, receiving 60% of the vote over Democrat Jim Grigg.[20] Born was easily re-elected five times in the safe Republican district.

    In his early years in the Assembly, Born was chairman of the Assembly Committee on Public Benefit Reform, but in the 2017 term he earned a coveted seat on the Legislature's powerful budget-writing Joint Finance Committee and the influential Rules Committee. After the 2020 election, he was named Assembly co-chair of the Joint Finance Committee.[21]

    In 2024, the Legislature adopted a new redistricting act, which significantly affected districts lines in Dodge County. Beaver Dam shifted from the 39th district into the 37th district. Under the new map, Born faced a primary challenge from perennial candidate Steve Rydzewski, but won the primary and went on to win his 7th term in the Assembly.[22]

    Personal life and family

    Born is a son of Allen and Sheri Born; his family has resided in the Beaver Dam area for four generations.[23]

    Mark Born married Liberty Ann Bell. They still reside in Beaver Dam and have one child.[24]

    Electoral history

    Beaver Dam city council (2003, 2005, 2007)

    YearElectionDateElectedDefeatedTotalPlurality
    2003General[8]Apr. 1Bonnie ArndtNonpartisan14147.32%Mark BornNon.14046.98%2981
    Dominic ConfortiNon.175.70%
    2005General[11]Apr. 5Mark BornNonpartisan19075.40%Dominic ConfortiNon.6224.60%252128
    2007General[12]Apr. 3Mark Born (inc)Nonpartisan26277.74%Mark DehnNon.7522.26%337187

    Beaver Dam mayor (2008)

    YearElectionDateElectedDefeatedTotalPlurality
    2008General[15]Apr. 1Tom KennedyNonpartisan1,78952.07%Mark BornNon.1,64747.93%3,436142

    Wisconsin Assembly, 39th district (2012–2022)

    YearElectionDateElectedDefeatedTotalPlurality
    2012Primary[19]Aug. 14Mark L. BornRepublican4,02350.53%Don LechnerRep.2,38129.90%7,9621,642
    Tracy A. HeronRep.1,55419.52%
    General[20]Nov. 6Mark L. BornRepublican17,46560.36%Jim GriggDem.11,44639.56%28,9336,019
    2014General[25]Nov. 4Mark L. Born (inc)Republican16,79373.74%Richard BennettDem.5,97726.25%22,77210,816
    2016General[26]Nov. 8Mark L. Born (inc)Republican19,02867.42%Jim ZahnDem.9,19232.57%28,2229,836
    2018General[27]Nov. 6Mark L. Born (inc)Republican15,94063.38%Elisha BarudinDem.9,21036.62%25,1506,730
    2020General[28]Nov. 3Mark L. Born (inc)Republican22,08568.73%Izzy Hassey NevarezDem.10,04931.27%32,13412,036
    2022General[29]Nov. 8Mark L. Born (inc)Republican20,28497.64%Steve Rydzewski (write-in)Rep.4121.98%20,775

    Wisconsin Assembly, 37th district (2024–present)

    YearElectionDateElectedDefeatedTotalPlurality
    2024Primary[30]Aug. 13Mark L. BornRepublican4,70169.45%Steve RydzewskiRep.2,06830.55%6,7692,633
    General[22]Nov. 5Mark L. BornRepublican20,97768.57%LaToya BatesDem.9,60831.41%30,58911,369

    References

    1. ^ "Representative Mark Born". Wisconsin Legislature. 2025. Retrieved June 29, 2025.
    2. ^ "BD police auxiliary put in more hours in 1999". Beaver Dam Daily Citizen. April 13, 2000. p. 2. Retrieved June 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
    3. ^ Giese, Tom (November 3, 2004). "Party chairman's work isn't finished". Beaver Dam Daily Citizen. p. 1. Retrieved June 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
    4. ^ "Lieutenant governor to speak at Republican party dinner". Beaver Dam Daily Citizen. January 29, 2002. p. 12. Retrieved June 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
    5. ^ "McCallum announces Dodge County campaign coordinator". Beaver Dam Daily Citizen. April 10, 2002. p. 4. Retrieved June 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
    6. ^ "No spring primary planned". Beaver Dam Daily Citizen. January 7, 2003. p. 1. Retrieved June 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
    7. ^ "Mark Born". Beaver Dam Daily Citizen. March 25, 2003. p. 10. Retrieved June 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
    8. ^ a b "Ethanol, school referenda rejected". Beaver Dam Daily Citizen. April 2, 2003. p. 1. Retrieved June 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
    9. ^ "Rezoning for hospital, condos draws questions". Beaver Dam Daily Citizen. April 20, 2004. p. 2. Retrieved June 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
    10. ^ Thomas, Ken (December 10, 2004). "Two will not seek office". Beaver Dam Daily Citizen. p. 1. Retrieved June 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
    11. ^ a b "Voters oust city veteran". Beaver Dam Daily Citizen. April 6, 2005. p. 1. Retrieved June 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
    12. ^ a b Baulch, Dan (April 4, 2007). "New and old". Beaver Dam Daily Citizen. p. 1. Retrieved June 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
    13. ^ Baulch, Dan (December 5, 2007). "Alderman throws hat in mayoral ring". Beaver Dam Daily Citizen. p. 1. Retrieved June 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
    14. ^ Baulch, Dan (March 19, 2008). "Kennedy, Born vie for mayor". Beaver Dam Daily Citizen. p. 1. Retrieved June 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
    15. ^ a b "Kennedy over Born". Beaver Dam Daily Citizen. April 2, 2008. p. 1. Retrieved June 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
    16. ^ "Born won't seek re-election". Beaver Dam Daily Citizen. December 16, 2008. p. 1. Retrieved June 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
    17. ^ Mann, Sarah (February 10, 2012). "Born to run—for Assembly". West Bend Daily News. p. 3. Retrieved June 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
    18. ^ "GOP candidates for 39th District face off". West Bend Daily News. August 1, 2012. p. 3. Retrieved June 30, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
    19. ^ a b Canvass Results for 2012 Partisan Primary - 8/14/2012 (Report). Wisconsin Government Accountability Board. August 28, 2012. p. 34. Retrieved June 30, 2025 – via Wisconsin Historical Society.
    20. ^ a b Canvass Results for 2012 Presidential and General Election - 11/6/2012 (Report). Wisconsin Government Accountability Board. December 26, 2012. p. 17. Retrieved June 30, 2025 – via Wisconsin Historical Society.
    21. ^ "Born picked for powerful post". Beaver Dam Daily Citizen. December 3, 2020. p. A1. Retrieved June 30, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
    22. ^ a b County by County Report - 2024 General Election (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. November 27, 2024. p. 37. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
    23. ^ "Candidate For Assembly District 39 - Mark L. Born". WisconsinVote.org. Archived from the original on November 13, 2012. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
    24. ^ "Meet Mark". State Rep. Mark Born. Retrieved June 29, 2025.
    25. ^ Canvass Results for 2014 General Election - 11/4/2014 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Government Accountability Board. November 26, 2014. pp. 17–18. Retrieved June 30, 2025 – via Wisconsin Elections Commission.
    26. ^ Canvass Results for 2016 General Election - 11/8/2016 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. December 22, 2016. pp. 17–18. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
    27. ^ Canvass Results for 2018 General Election - 11/6/2018 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. February 22, 2019. p. 19. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
    28. ^ Canvass Results for 2020 General Election - 11/3/2020 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. November 18, 2020. p. 17. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
    29. ^ Canvass Results for 2022 General Election - 11/8/2022 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. November 30, 2022. p. 17. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
    30. ^ County by County Report - 2024 Partisan Primary (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. August 26, 2024. p. 136. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
    • Official website
    • Campaign website
    • Profile at Vote Smart
    • Mark Born at Ballotpedia
    • Map of Wisconsin's 37th Assembly district
    Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mark_Born&oldid=1298166953"