Cory Mason

Cory Mason
Mason in 2024
58th Mayor of Racine, Wisconsin
Incumbent
Assumed office
November 7, 2017
Preceded byDennis Wiser (acting)
John Dickert (elected)
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
from the 66th district
In office
January 7, 2013 – January 15, 2018
Preceded bySamantha Kerkman
Succeeded byGreta Neubauer
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
from the 62nd district
In office
January 3, 2007 – January 7, 2013
Preceded byJohn Lehman
Succeeded byTom Weatherston
Personal details
Born
Cory D. Mason IV

(1973-01-25) January 25, 1973 (age 51)
Racine, Wisconsin, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseRebecca Mason[1]
Children3[1]
Alma materUniversity of Wisconsin–Madison

Cory D. Mason IV (born January 25, 1973) is a Democratic Party politician and the mayor of Racine, Wisconsin. From 2007 to 2018, Mason served as a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly representing the city of Racine and eastern Racine County.[2]

Early life and education

Mason was born in Racine and graduated from Case High School. He then received a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.[3]

During the 2000 presidential election, Mason was listed as a Wisconsin state co-chair of GoreNet.[4] GoreNet was a young Americans focused group that supported the Al Gore campaign with a focus on grassroots and online organizing as well as hosting small dollar donor events.[5]

Wisconsin State Assembly

Mason in 2009
Mason (left) shaking hands with Governor Jim Doyle in 2009
Mason in 2018

While in the assembly, Mason served as the ranking Assembly Democratic member of the Assembly Committee on Environment and Forestry, the Joint Legislative Council, and Joint Survey Committee on Retirement Systems. He also served on the Assembly Committee on Tourism.[1]

Mason was named the 2009-2010 Legislator of the Year by the Wisconsin Technical College District Boards Association for his support of Wisconsin's technical colleges. Other awards include the 2014 Children's Champion Policy Award from Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, the 2013 Friend of the UW Award by the United Council of UW Students, and the River Champion Award by the River Alliance of Wisconsin. Mason was named 2012 Legislator of the Year by the Professional Fire Fighters of Wisconsin and was named to the Conservation Honor Roll for 2011-2012 by the Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters. He was also given an Award of Merit by the Wisconsin Association for Career and Technical Education.[1]

Mayoral candidacy

Mason ran for mayor of Racine in 2017 for a special election to complete the term of the previous mayor, John Dickert. Mason won with the largest share of votes in both the primary and general elections.[6][7]

Mayoralty

Mason's mayoral administration has thus far resulted in increased residential and commercial development such as the Gold Medal Loft project in Uptown Racine[8] and the construction of apartments at the former Walker Manufacturing site along the shores of Lake Michigan in Downtown Racine.[9] Mason has also overseen downtown investment from global technology company Foxconn.[10]

He was re-elected in 2019 and 2023.[11][12]

Electoral history

Wisconsin Assembly 62nd District (2006–2010)

Year Election Date Elected Defeated Total Plurality
2006 General[13] Nov. 7 Cory Mason Democratic 10,302 52.37% Van H. Wanggaard Rep. 9,363 47.60% 19,671 939
2008 General[14] Nov. 4 Cory Mason (inc) Democratic 17,892 84.54% Keith R. Deschler Lib. 3,217 15.20% 21,164 14,675
2010 General[15] Nov. 2 Cory Mason (inc) Democratic 10,455 53.78% Chris Wright Rep. 8,572 44.10% 19,439 1,883
Tony Decubellis Lib. 403 2.07%

Wisconsin Assembly 66th District (2012–2016)

Year Election Date Elected Defeated Total Plurality
2012 General[16] Nov. 7 Cory Mason Democratic 16,830 98.65% --unopposed-- 17,060 16,600
2014 General[17] Nov. 4 Cory Mason (inc) Democratic 12,062 80.73% George Meyers Lib. 2,781 18.61% 14,942 9,281
2016 General[18] Nov. 8 Cory Mason (inc) Democratic 13,526 81.32% George Meyers Lib. 3,107 18.68% 16,633 10,419

Racine Mayor (2017–2023)

Year Election Date Elected Defeated Total Plurality
2017 Primary[19] Sep. 19 Cory Mason Democratic 2,896 38.54% Sandy Weidner Ind. 2,496 33.22% 7,514 400
Melvin Hargrove Ind. 1,690 22.49%
Wally Rendon Dem. 231 3.07%
Fabi Maldonaldo Grn. 180 2.40%
Austin K. Rodriguez Dem. 21 0.28%
Special Oct. 17 Cory Mason Democratic 5,456 55.40% Sandy Weidner Ind. 4,392 44.60% 9,848 1,064
2019 General[11] Apr. 2 Cory Mason (inc) Democratic 6,243 72.09% Sandy Weidner (write-in) Ind. 2,417 27.91% 8,660 3,826
2023 Primary[20] Feb. 21 Cory Mason (inc) Democratic 3,607 42.62% Henry Perez Ind. 2,561 30.26% 8,464 1,046
Jim DeMatthew Dem. 2,274 26.87%
General[12] Apr. 4 Cory Mason (inc) Democratic 8,596 57.08% Henry Perez Ind. 6,376 42.34% 15,060 2,220

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Meet Representative Cory Mason". Wayback Machine/Wisconsin State Assembly. Archived from the original on 2018-01-31. Retrieved 2019-02-10.
  2. ^ Sari Lesk (2017-11-07). "UPDATE: Mason's Assembly seat to be filled by special election". Racine Journal Times. Retrieved 2019-02-10.
  3. ^ 'Wisconsin Blue Book 2017-2018,' Biographical Sketch of Cory Mason, pg. 89
  4. ^ "GoreNet State Co-Chairs". Gore 2000. 15 August 2000. Archived from the original on August 15, 2000. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  5. ^ "GoreNet: A Network of Young Americans Dedicated to Al Gore President". Gore 2000. 15 August 2000. Archived from the original on August 15, 2000. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  6. ^ Patrick Leary (2017-03-28). "Mayor Dickert to step down; taking role with water advocacy group". Racine Journal Times. Retrieved 2019-02-10.
  7. ^ Patrick Marley (2017-10-18). "State Rep. Cory Mason wins Racine mayor's race". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved 2019-02-10.
  8. ^ Burke, Michael (2017-10-25). "Going for a Gold Medal; $17M Uptown-area redevelopment planned". Racine Journal Times. Retrieved 2019-04-02.
  9. ^ Burke, Michael (2017-12-05). "With video: Racine unveils details of $50 million lakefront development". Racine Journal Times. Retrieved 2019-04-02.
  10. ^ Romell, Rick; Taschler, Joe (2018-10-02). "Foxconn purchases downtown Racine property as part of 'Smart City' plans across state". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved 2019-04-02.
  11. ^ a b Statement of Votes Cast (Report). Racine County Clerk. 2019-04-02. p. 79. Retrieved 2019-04-02.
  12. ^ a b Election Summary Report - Racine County - April 4, 2023 (Report). Racine County Clerk. April 4, 2023. p. 15. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
  13. ^ Results of Fall General Election - 11/07/2006 (Report). Wisconsin State Elections Board. December 11, 2006. p. 32. Retrieved January 30, 2023 – via Wisconsin Historical Society.
  14. ^ Results of Fall General Election - 11/04/2008 (Report). Wisconsin State Elections Board. December 1, 2008. p. 30. Retrieved January 30, 2023 – via Wisconsin Historical Society.
  15. ^ Results of Fall General Election - 11/02/2010 (Report). Wisconsin Government Accountability Board. December 1, 2010. p. 24. Retrieved January 30, 2023 – via Wisconsin Historical Society.
  16. ^ Canvass Results for 2012 Presidential and General Election - 11/6/2012 (Report). Wisconsin Government Accountability Board. December 26, 2012. p. 24. Retrieved January 30, 2023 – via Wisconsin Historical Society.
  17. ^ Canvass Results for 2014 General Election - 11/4/2014 (Report). Wisconsin Government Accountability Board. November 26, 2014. p. 23. Retrieved January 30, 2023 – via Wisconsin Elections Commission.
  18. ^ Canvass Results for 2016 General Election - 11/8/2016 (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. December 22, 2016. pp. 23–24. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  19. ^ Unofficial Election Results for September 19, 2017 (Report). Racine County, Wisconsin. September 19, 2017. p. 1. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  20. ^ Election Summary Report - Racine County - February 21, 2023 (Report). Racine County Clerk. February 21, 2023. p. 2. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
Wisconsin State Assembly
Preceded by Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 62nd district
January 3, 2007 – January 7, 2013 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 66th district
January 7, 2013 – January 15, 2018 		Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by
Dennis Wiser (acting)
John Dickert (elected)
 Mayor of the Racine, Wisconsin
November 7, 2017 – present 		Incumbent