Cory H. Mason IV
Office58th Mayor of Racine, Wisconsin
Term startNovember 7, 2017
PredecessorDennis Wiser (acting)
John Dickert (elected)
Office 1Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
Constituency 166th district
Term start 1January 7, 2013
Term end 1January 15, 2018
Predecessor 1Samantha Kerkman
Successor 1Greta Neubauer
Constituency 262nd district
Term start 2January 3, 2007
Term end 2January 7, 2013
Predecessor 2John Lehman
Successor 2Tom Weatherston
PartyDemocratic
Birth nameCory H. Mason IV
Birth dateJanuary 25, 1973 (age 53)
Birth placeRacine, Wisconsin, U.S.
SpouseRebecca Mason[1]
RelativesChristopher E. Mason (brother)
Alma materUniversity of Wisconsin–Madison

Cory H. 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

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)

YearElectionDate! colspan="4"| Elected! colspan="4"| DefeatedTotalPlurality
2006General[13]Nov. 7Cory MasonDemocratic10,30252.37%Van H. WanggaardRep.9,36347.60%19,671939
2008General[14]Nov. 4Cory Mason (inc)Democratic17,89284.54%Keith R. DeschlerLib.3,21715.20%21,16414,675
2010General[15]Nov. 2Cory Mason (inc)Democratic10,45553.78%Chris WrightRep.8,57244.10%19,4391,883
Tony DecubellisLib.4032.07%

Wisconsin Assembly 66th District (2012–2016)

YearElectionDate! colspan="4"| Elected! colspan="4"| DefeatedTotalPlurality
2012General[16]Nov. 7Cory MasonDemocratic16,83098.65%--unopposed--17,06016,600
2014General[17]Nov. 4Cory Mason (inc)Democratic12,06280.73%George MeyersLib.2,78118.61%14,9429,281
2016General[18]Nov. 8Cory Mason (inc)Democratic13,52681.32%George MeyersLib.3,10718.68%16,63310,419

Racine Mayor (2017–2023)

YearElectionDate! colspan="4"| Elected! colspan="4"| DefeatedTotalPlurality
2017Primary[19]Sep. 19Cory MasonDemocratic2,89638.54%Sandy WeidnerInd.2,49633.22%7,514400
Melvin HargroveInd.1,69022.49%
Wally RendonDem.2313.07%
Fabi MaldonaldoGrn.1802.40%
Austin K. RodriguezDem.210.28%
SpecialOct. 17Cory MasonDemocratic5,45655.40%Sandy WeidnerInd.4,39244.60%9,8481,064
2019General[11]Apr. 2Cory Mason (inc)Democratic6,24372.09%Sandy Weidner (write-in)Ind.2,41727.91%8,6603,826
2023Primary[20]Feb. 21Cory Mason (inc)Democratic3,60742.62%Henry PerezInd.2,56130.26%8,4641,046
Jim DeMatthewDem.2,27426.87%
General[12]Apr. 4Cory Mason (inc)Democratic8,59657.08%Henry PerezInd.6,37642.34%15,0602,220

References

  1. ^ "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. ^ Statement of Votes Cast. Racine County Clerk. 2019-04-02. p. 79. Retrieved 2019-04-02.
  12. ^ Election Summary Report - Racine County - April 4, 2023. Racine County Clerk. April 4, 2023. p. 15. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
  13. ^ Results of Fall General Election - 11/07/2006. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Wisconsin Elections Commission. December 22, 2016. pp. 23–24. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  19. ^ Unofficial Election Results for September 19, 2017. Racine County, Wisconsin. September 19, 2017. p. 1. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  20. ^ Election Summary Report - Racine County - February 21, 2023. Racine County Clerk. February 21, 2023. p. 2. Retrieved April 4, 2023.