Cory Mason
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]
Cory Mason | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 58th Mayor of Racine, Wisconsin | |
| Assumed office November 7, 2017 | |
| Preceded by | Dennis Wiser (acting) John Dickert (elected) |
| Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 66th district | |
| In office January 7, 2013 – January 15, 2018 | |
| Preceded by | Samantha Kerkman |
| Succeeded by | Greta Neubauer |
| Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 62nd district | |
| In office January 3, 2007 – January 7, 2013 | |
| Preceded by | John Lehman |
| Succeeded by | Tom Weatherston |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Cory D. Mason IV January 25, 1973 Racine, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Judge Rebecca Mason[1] |
| Children | 3[1] |
| Alma mater | University of Wisconsin–Madison |
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]
Wisconsin State Assembly
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.[4][5]
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[6] and the construction of apartments at the former Walker Manufacturing site along the shores of Lake Michigan in Downtown Racine.[7] Mason has also overseen downtown investment from global technology company Foxconn.[8]
As of 2018 under Mason's leadership the chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime in Racine is 1 in 37, thus making the city's crime rate higher than 92% of Wisconsins other cities and towns. [9]
He was re-elected in 2019.[10]
In 2020, with the help of a convicted felon who once shot at police officers, Mason introduced police reforms that discriminate against ex-military personnel who apply for the police department.[11]
Electoral history
Wisconsin Assembly 62nd District (2006-2010)
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Election | |||||
| Democratic | Cory Mason | 1,976 | 58.17% | ||
| Republican | Van H. Wanggaard | 1,416 | 41.68% | ||
| Write-ins | 5 | 0.15% | |||
| Total votes | 3,397 | 100.0% | |||
| General Election | |||||
| Democratic | Cory Mason | 10,302 | 52.37% | -37.18% | |
| Republican | Van H. Wanggaard | 9,363 | 47.60% | ||
| Write-ins | 6 | 0.03% | |||
| Total votes | 19,671 | 100.0% | -8.65% | ||
| Democratic hold | |||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Election | |||||
| Democratic | Cory Mason (Incumbent) | 1,118 | 96.30% | ||
| Libertarian | Keith Deschler | 11 | 0.95% | ||
| Write-ins | 32 | 2.76% | |||
| Total votes | 1,161 | 100.0% | |||
| General Election | |||||
| Democratic | Cory Mason (Incumbent) | 17,892 | 84.54% | +32.17% | |
| Libertarian | Keith Deschler | 3,217 | 15.20% | ||
| Write-ins | 55 | 0.26% | |||
| Total votes | 21,164 | 100.0% | +7.59% | ||
| Democratic hold | |||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Election | |||||
| Republican | Chris Wright | 3,852 | 68.35% | ||
| Democratic | Cory Mason (Incumbent) | 1,770 | 31.41% | ||
| Libertarian | Tony Decubellis | 1 | 0.02% | ||
| Write-ins | 13 | 0.23% | |||
| Total votes | 5,636 | 100.0% | |||
| General Election | |||||
| Democratic | Cory Mason (Incumbent) | 10,455 | 53.78% | -30.76% | |
| Republican | Chris Wright | 8,572 | 44.10% | ||
| Libertarian | Tony Decubellis | 403 | 2.07% | -13.13% | |
| Write-ins | 9 | 0.05% | |||
| Total votes | 19,439 | 100.0% | -8.15% | ||
| Democratic hold | |||||
Wisconsin Assembly 66th District (2012-2016)
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Election | |||||
| Democratic | Cory Mason | 1,039 | 95.50% | ||
| Write-ins | 49 | 4.50% | |||
| Total votes | 1,088 | 100.0% | |||
| General Election | |||||
| Democratic | Cory Mason | 16,830 | 98.65% | +60.43% | |
| Write-ins | 230 | 1.35% | |||
| Total votes | 17,060 | 100.0% | -17.96% | ||
| Democratic gain from Republican | |||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Election | |||||
| Democratic | Cory Mason | 1,878 | 98.69% | ||
| Write-ins | 25 | 1.31% | |||
| Total votes | 1,903 | 100.0% | |||
| General Election | |||||
| Democratic | Cory Mason | 12,062 | 80.73% | -17.92% | |
| Libertarian | George Meyers | 2,781 | 18.61% | ||
| Write-ins | 99 | 0.66% | |||
| Total votes | 14,942 | 100.0% | -12.42% | ||
| Democratic hold | |||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Election | |||||
| Democratic | Cory Mason | 1,693 | 98.60% | ||
| Libertarian | George Meyers | 20 | 1.16% | ||
| Write-ins | 4 | 0.23% | |||
| Total votes | 1,717 | 100.0% | |||
| General Election | |||||
| Democratic | Cory Mason | 13,526 | 80.84% | +0.11% | |
| Libertarian | George Meyers | 3,107 | 18.57% | -0.04% | |
| Total votes | 16,633 | 100.0% | +11.31% | ||
| Democratic hold | |||||
Racine Mayor (2017, 2019)
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Election | |||||
| Democratic | Cory Mason | 2,896 | 39.60% | ||
| Independent | Sandy Weidner | 2,496 | 34.13% | ||
| Independent | Melvin Hargrove | 1,690 | 23.11% | ||
| Democratic | Wally Rendon | 231 | 3.16% | ||
| Green | Fabi Maldonaldo | 180 | 2.46% | ||
| Democratic | Austin Rodriguez | 21 | 0.29% | ||
| Total votes | 7,313 | 100.0% | |||
| General Election, October 17, 2017 | |||||
| Democratic | Cory Mason | 5,456 | 55.40% | ||
| Independent | Sandy Weidner | 4,392 | 44.60% | ||
| Total votes | 9,848 | 100.0% | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Election, April 2, 2019 | |||||
| Democratic | Cory Mason | 6,243 | 72.09% | +16.68% | |
| Independent | Sandy Weidner (write-in) | 2,417 | 27.91% | -16.68% | |
| Total votes | 8,660 | 100.0% | -12.06% | ||
References
- "Meet Representative Cory Mason". Wayback Machine/Wisconsin State Assembly. Archived from the original on 2018-01-31. Retrieved 2019-02-10.
- Sari Lesk (2017-11-07). "UPDATE: Mason's Assembly seat to be filled by special election". Racine Journal Times. Retrieved 2019-02-10.
- 'Wisconsin Blue Book 2017-2018,' Biographical Sketch of Cory Mason, pg. 89
- Patrick Leary (2017-03-28). "Mayor Dickert to step down; taking role with water advocacy group". Racine Journal Times. Retrieved 2019-02-10.
- Patrick Marley (2017-10-18). "State Rep. Cory Mason wins Racine mayor's race". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved 2019-02-10.
- Burke, Michael (2017-10-25). "Going for a Gold Medal; $17M Uptown-area redevelopment planned". Racine Journal Times. Retrieved 2019-04-02.
- Burke, Michael (2017-12-05). "With video: Racine unveils details of $50 million lakefront development". Racine Journal Times. Retrieved 2019-04-02.
- 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.
- https://www.neighborhoodscout.com/wi/racine/crime#description
- Statement of Votes Cast (Report). Racine County Clerk. 2019-04-02. p. 79. Retrieved 2019-04-02.
- https://www.lawofficer.com/racine-police-reform-panelist-is-ex-con-previously-shot-at-racine-officers/?fbclid=IwAR1ZcRbPvh1EGSnaexqbL2594lw8ERfcF6mw_M97Prz4_9Ka2czgTKeFg2Y
- Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. "Elections in Wisconsin". State of Wisconsin 2003-2004 Blue Book (Report). State of Wisconsin. pp. 920, 923. Retrieved 2019-03-26.
External links
- City of Racine - Mayor Cory Mason - official government website
- Cory Mason for Mayor - official campaign website
- Profile at Vote Smart
- Follow the Money - Cory Mason
- Campaign 2008 campaign contributions at Wisconsin Democracy Campaign
| Wisconsin State Assembly | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by John Lehman |
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 62nd district January 3, 2007 – January 7, 2013 |
Succeeded by Tom Weatherston |
| Preceded by Samantha Kerkman |
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 66th district January 7, 2013 – January 15, 2018 |
Succeeded by Greta Neubauer |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by Dennis Wiser (acting) John Dickert (elected) |
Mayor of the Racine, Wisconsin November 7, 2017 – present |
Incumbent |