Mark Takano

Early life, education, and academic career

Takano was born in 1960 in Riverside, California. He is Sansei, that is, the grandson of people born in Japan who immigrated to the United States. He attended La Sierra High School in the Alvord Unified School District, where he graduated as class valedictorian. In high school, he also participated in the Junior State of America, a national student-run organization centered around debate and civic engagement in young people, and was elected lieutenant governor of the Southern California State. He graduated from Harvard University with a B.A. in government in 1983 and from the University of California, Riverside with an MFA in creative writing for the performing arts in 2010.

Takano taught British literature in public schools for 23 years. While on the board, he shepherded a measure that gave college employees domestic partner benefits.

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

1992

Takano ran for the United States House of Representatives in California's 43rd congressional district. He won a seven-candidate Democratic primary with 29% of the vote. Republican Ken Calvert defeated Takano by 519 votes, 47%–46%.

1994

Takano defeated Raven Lopez Workman in the Democratic primary, 70%–30%. During the campaign, Republican State Assemblyman Ray Haynes outed Takano, calling him a "homosexual liberal". In the general election, Calvert defeated Takano, 55%–38%.

2012

In July 2011, 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. Five candidates ran for the open seat. In the June 2012 open primary, John Tavaglione, a Republican who sat on the Riverside County Board of Supervisors, ranked first with 45% of the votes. Takano ranked second with 37%. In the November general election, Takano defeated Tavaglione, 58%–42%. Takano became the first openly gay non-white member of the House.

Committee assignments

For the 118th Congress:

• Committee on Education and the Workforce
  • Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development
  • Subcommittee on Workforce Protections
• Committee on Veterans' Affairs (Ranking Member)

Caucus memberships

• Black Maternal Health Caucus{{cite web|title=Caucus Members
• Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus (co-chair)
• Congressional Progressive Caucus
• Medicare for All Caucus
• Congressional Energy Storage Caucus (co-chair) After Corrine Brown's indictment on July 8, 2016, she temporarily stepped down as ranking member of the Veterans Committee, leaving Takano as acting ranking member until the end of the 114th Congress. When the Democrats took the House majority after the 2018 elections, Takano became the chair of the committee.

Tenure

When Representative Bill Cassidy circulated a draft letter opposing an immigration reform bill in 2013, asking for signatures, Takano marked it up in red pen like a high school assignment and gave it an F, with comments like, "exaggeration – avoid hyperbole."

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, U.S.-Japan Caucus, and the Advanced Energy Storage Caucus.

For his tenure as the chairman of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee in the 116th Congress, Takano earned an "A" grade from the nonpartisan Lugar Center's Congressional Oversight Hearing Index.

Political positions

Abortion

As of 2022, Takano has a 100% rating from NARAL Pro-Choice America and an F grade from the Susan B. Anthony List for his abortion-related voting record. He opposed the overturning of Roe v. Wade, calling it "offensive and radical".

Donald Trump

Takano supported both impeachments of Donald Trump.

Gun control

Takano supports gun control efforts. In the wake of the 2015 San Bernardino attack, he criticized Congress for its inability to pass gun control laws, describing the shooting in San Bernardino as "the cost of inaction."

Foreign policy

In March 2024, Takano criticized Israel's actions in the Gaza war. He is in support of a two‑state solution.

Transgender rights

Takano is a supporter of transgender rights, and was against the passing of H.R. 734: Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act. Takano appeared in the film What is a Woman?, being interviewed by Matt Walsh. The interview broached the topic of trans bathroom use, to which Takano responded by defending his belief in transgender identities before abruptly exiting the interview. While exiting, he ignored Walsh's attempts to ask him what a woman is.

Following Trump's Executive Order 14183, imposing a ban on transgender people serving in the United States Armed Forces, Takano attended the retirement ceremony of transgender service members Colonel Bree Fram, Lieutenant Colonel Erin Krizek, Commander Blake Dremann, Sergeant First Class Cathrine Schmid, and Chief Petty Officer Jaida McGuire on January 8, 2026. He apologized to transgender service-members for their forced retirement and claimed the Trump administration chose to target transgender people "for no reason other than cruelty."

2020 presidential election

Takano endorsed Bernie Sanders in the presidential primary election, saying Sanders "has a bold vision" and "can get things done". After Sanders dropped out of the primaries, Takano endorsed Democratic nominee Joe Biden.

2024 presidential election

On July 20, 2024, Takano called for Joe Biden to withdraw from the 2024 United States presidential election.

References

References

1. Johnson, Chris. (December 22, 2011). "Takano on path to make history in Calif. race". Washington Blade.
2. Furutani, Warren. [http://www.rafu.com/2012/11/the-warren-report-welcoming-a-new-generation-of-nikkei-leaders/ "Welcoming a New Generation of Nikkei Leaders,"] ''Rafu Shimpo'' (Los Angeles). November 23, 2012; retrieved December 2, 2012.
3. "Meet Mark | Mark Takano: Teacher for Congress". Mark Takano.
4. "Notable Alumni of the Junior State of America". Junior State of America.
5. (October 21, 1992). "Harvard Grad Turns Democrat to Win Votes". The Harvard Crimson.
6. (November 7, 2012). "Mark Takano, D-Calif. (41st District)". [[Roll Call]].
7. "Board Members".
8. "CA District 43 Race – Nov 03, 1992". Our Campaigns.
9. (November 3, 1994). "California House Race Could be a Soap Opera".
10. "CA District 43 – D Primary Race – Jun 07, 1994". Our Campaigns.
11. Goad, Ben. (September 21, 2012). "2012 Elections: Takano sees changed political landscape". [[The Press-Enterprise]].
12. "CA District 43 Race – Nov 08, 1994". Our Campaigns.
13. Morrison, Patt. (November 11, 1994). "Snapshots of life in the Golden State. : In This Sleaziest of Races, Victor Won by a Mudslide". Los Angeles Times.
14. Goad, Ben. (July 1, 2011). "Congress: Takano will seek proposed Riverside-area seat". PE.com.
15. (2018-12-11). "Riverside County Supervisors Marion Ashley and John Tavaglione say goodbye".
16. "CA – District 41 – Open Primary Race – Jun 05, 2012". Our Campaigns.
17. "CA – District 41 Race – Nov 06, 2012". Our Campaigns.
18. Goad, Ben. (November 6, 2012). "Congress District 41: Takano has double-digit lead over Tavaglione in nationally watched race". The Press-Enterprise.
19. Candido, Sergio N.. (October 29, 2012). "Top 5 Gay National Races". SFGN.
20. "Mark Takano". Clerk of the United States House of Representatives.
21. (December 18, 2020). "Hoyer Congratulates Leaders of the Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus for the 117th Congress".
22. "Caucus Members". US House of Representatives.
23. (11 July 2016). "Congress: Corrine Brown indictment makes Mark Takano ranking Democrat on veterans' affairs committee". The Press-Enterprise.
24. [https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/12/mark-takano-letter-teacher-republicans_n_3582230.html Rep. Mark Takano Corrects Republican Letter, Proves He Will Always Be A Teacher], By Rebecca Klein, Huffington Post, 07/12/2013
25. "Members".
26. "Caucus Members". Congressional Progressive Caucus.
27. "Membership". Congressional Arts Caucus.
28. "Members". Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.
29. "Our Members". U.S. House of Representatives International Conservation Caucus.
30. "Members". U.S. – Japan Caucus.
31. "Congressional Oversight Hearing Index". The Lugar Center.
32. "Congressional Record".
33. "Mark Takano".
34. (24 June 2022). "Rep. Takano Statement on the Supreme Court Overturning Roe v. Wade {{!}} U.S. Congressman Mark Takano of California's 41st District".
35. (24 August 2019). "Congressman Mark Takano Calls for Impeachment Proceedings Against President Trump". NBC Los Angeles.
36. (3 December 2015). "San Bernardino-Area Gay Congressman Blasts 'Inaction' on Gun Control". Advocate.
37. (March 2024). "6 House Dems, back from Israel, accuse Netanyahu of 'utter disregard for Palestinian lives'".
38. Washington, Jessica. (2025-07-26). "Israeli Parliament Votes for Making Apartheid Official. Fetterman: "I Haven't Been Following It."".
39. (29 March 2023). "Sen. Schatz, Rep. Takano, Rep. Lee Lead GLSEN Rise Up Resolution".
40. Migdon, Brooke. (17 April 2023). "GOP education committee chair: 'I don't know what a trans girl is'".
41. Hayton, Debbie. (17 June 2022). "'What is a woman?': the trans film that makes for harrowing viewing".
42. Wiggins, Christopher. (January 10, 2026). "Gen. Stanley McChrystal presides over historic farewell for five transgender troops forced into retirement".
43. . (January 8, 2026). ["VIDEO & PHOTOS: They Served With Honor: Human Rights Campaign Hosts Retirement Ceremony for Transgender Servicemembers"](https://www.hrc.org/press-releases/video-photos-they-served-with-honor-human-rights-campaign-hosts-retirement-ceremony-for-transgender-servicemembers).
44. Moreno, J. Edward. (2020-03-10). "Rep. Mark Takano endorses Sanders".
45. (March 10, 2020). "Rep. Mark Takano Endorses Bernie for President".
46. "Rep. Takano Statement on President Joe Biden's First State of the Union Address {{!}} U.S. Congressman Mark Takano of California's 41st District".
47. (July 20, 2024). "Mark Takano becomes latest Democrat to call on Biden to step aside".