Gwen Moore
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Wisconsin's 4th district
Assumed office
January 3, 2005
Preceded byJerry Kleczka
Member of the Wisconsin Senate
from the 4th district
In office
January 4, 1993 – January 3, 2005
Preceded byBarbara Ulichny
Succeeded byLena Taylor
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
from the 7th district
In office
January 3, 1989 – January 4, 1993
Preceded byDismas Becker
Succeeded byPeter Bock
Personal details
Born
Gwendolynne Sophia Moore

(1951-04-18) April 18, 1951
Racine, Wisconsin, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Children3, including Supreme
EducationMarquette University (BA)
WebsiteHouse website

Gwendolynne Sophia Moore (born April 18, 1951) is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for Wisconsin's 4th congressional district since 2005. In 2016, Moore was elected to serve as caucus whip of the Congressional Black Caucus[1] for the 115th United States Congress.[2][3] She is a member of the Democratic Party. Her district is based in Milwaukee and as a result of the 2011 redistricting also includes some Milwaukee County suburbs: Bayside, Brown Deer, Cudahy, Fox Point, Glendale, St. Francis, South Milwaukee, West Milwaukee, Shorewood and Whitefish Bay. Moore is the first woman to represent the district and the second woman after Tammy Baldwin and the first African American elected to Congress from Wisconsin.

Moore is currently Wisconsin's longest serving Representative, after Representative Ron Kind retired, in 2023.

Early life, education and career

Moore was born in Racine, but has spent most of her life in Milwaukee. She is the eighth of nine children; her father was a factory worker and her mother a public school teacher. Moore attended North Division High School and served as student council president. She later attended Marquette University and became a single mother and welfare recipient. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science in 1973.

As an organizer with AmeriCorps VISTA, Moore worked to establish the Cream City Community Development Credit Union to offer grants and loans to low-income residents to start businesses.[4] For her work, she was awarded the national "VISTA Volunteer of the Decade" award from 1976 to 1986.[5] From 1985 to 1989, she worked for the City of Milwaukee as a neighborhood development strategist and for the state Department of Employment Relations and Health and Social Services. Moore also worked for the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) as a housing officer.

Wisconsin legislature

Moore was elected to the Wisconsin Assembly in 1988 and served two terms representing the 7th district. She was a prominent voice calling for an investigation into the case of serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, who lived two blocks from Moore.

In 1992, Moore was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate, in which she represented the 4th district from 1993 to 2005. She was the first African-American woman to be elected to the state senate and became a prominent voice against mandatory ID security measures to enter the Capitol. She said, "I am too often reminded [9/11 hijacker] Mohammed Atta had a photo ID. This will not tell people whether I am a terrorist. This disenfranchises people who come to their Capitol."

U.S. House of Representatives

Moore during the 109th Congress

Moore was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 2004 with 69.6% of the vote, defeating Republican attorney Gerald Boyle. She was one of a handful of African Americans to be elected to Congress as freshmen in 2004, and the first African American and second woman (after Tammy Baldwin) to represent Wisconsin in Congress.[6]

Moore is a prominent advocate for women's rights, releasing frequent statements on topics ranging from domestic abuse awareness to abortion rights. In January 2011, she was elected Democratic co-chair of the Congressional Women's Caucus to become a leader on health insurance reform and the protection of reproductive rights.[7] She is a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.[8]

During the congressional debate in February 2011 on the Pence Amendment to defund Planned Parenthood, in response to comments from Paul Broun suggesting that Planned Parenthood promoted racist eugenics because more black women than white women have abortions, Moore spoke about her experience raising children on little money, and why "planned parenthood is healthy for women, it's healthy for children and it's healthy for our society".[9] She publicly opposed the investigation into Planned Parenthood's financial accounting, saying the investigation was "an unfortunate waste of taxpayer dollars".[10] Moore voted "nay" on Amends Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to Prohibit Abortion Coverage on October 13, 2011.[11] In March 2012, during the House debate over reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act, she spoke about her experience of being sexually assaulted and raped as a child and an adult, criticizing the all-male Senate Judiciary Committee that voted "no" on the bill.[12]

In the first session of the 109th Congress, Moore earned 90% and higher legislative agenda approval scores from Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the Sierra Club of Wisconsin, and the Service Employees International Union. She has focused legislatively on traditional Democratic and progressive issues, believing that the federal government should play a significant role in the amelioration of poverty and the resolution of difficult local problems. Moore has received support from interest groups including the American Civil Liberties Union (93%), The Human Rights Campaign (100%), The National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League (NARAL) (100%), The National Farmer's Union (100%) and Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund (100%). She lacks support from those supporting hunting and sportsmen rights (0% support from Sportsmen and Animal Owner's Voting Alliance), opponents of abortion rights (0% support from National Right to Life), and conservative tax reform stances (0% support from Americans for Tax Reform).[13]

During her first term, Moore introduced legislation to provide economic incentives and tax cuts to small businesses to promote job creation, and also cosponsored legislation supporting community block grants, continuing and expanding Medicaid funding, amending the Truth in Lending Act to prevent so-called "predatory lending", and removing troops from Iraq. She also cosponsored two prospective amendments to the US Constitution, providing for uniform national election standards and prohibiting gender discrimination.

On May 6, 2006, Moore and eight fellow members of the Congressional Black Caucus were arrested and ticketed for unlawful assembly and disorderly conduct after they stepped onto the grounds of the Embassy of Sudan to call attention to the ongoing Darfur conflict. Moore said the group expected to be arrested but that they were pleased to participate in a "peaceful act of civil disobedience".[14]

In July 2019, Moore voted against a House resolution introduced by Representative Brad Schneider opposing efforts to boycott the State of Israel and the Global Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement targeting Israel.[15] The resolution passed 398-17.[16]

On December 18, 2019, Moore voted for both articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump.[17]

In 2023, Moore was among 56 Democrats to vote in favor of H.Con.Res. 21, which directed President Joe Biden to remove U.S. troops from Syria within 180 days.[18]

Moore was among the 46 Democrats who voted against final passage of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 in the House.[19]

Committee assignments

Caucus memberships

Personal life

Moore's son, Supreme Moore Omokunde (then known as Sowande Ajumoke Omokunde), was arrested in connection with the November 2, 2004, tire-slashing of Republican Party vehicles in Milwaukee. He was charged on January 24, 2005, with a felony in connection with the event, but agreed on January 20, 2006, to plead no contest in exchange for a sentencing recommendation of restitution and probation.[21] On April 26, 2006, Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Michael B. Brennan disregarded the sentencing recommendation and sentenced Omokunde to four months in prison and $2,305 in fines and restitution. In response, Moore said, "I love my son very much. I'm very proud of him. He's accepted responsibility."[22]

Omokunde went on to become a member of the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors in 2015,[23] and was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2020.[24]

Moore has become a U.S. delegate to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.[25]

Moore attended the 2016 Democratic National Convention as a superdelegate, pledging her support to nominee Hillary Clinton.

Moore spoke at the 2020 Democratic National Convention, which was centered in Milwaukee.[26]

On December 28, 2020, Moore announced that she had tested positive for COVID-19 and was self-isolating from others. She traveled to Washington to vote for Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House after announcing that her quarantine period had ended.[27][28]

Moore is a Baptist.[29]

Electoral history

Wisconsin Assembly (1988, 1990)

Year Election Date Elected Defeated Total Plurality
1988 Primary[30] September 13 Gwen Moore Democratic 2,463 52.71% Charles E. Fox Dem. 1,613 34.52% 4,673 850
Glenn O. Givens Jr. Dem. 597 12.78%
General[30] November 8 Gwen Moore Democratic 10,174 70.75% Jeffrey S. Wuest Rep. 4,206 29.25% 14,380 5,968
1990 General[31] November 6 Gwen Moore (inc.) Democratic 3,847 69.48% Scott K. Walker Rep. 1,690 30.52% 5,537 2,157

Wisconsin Senate (1992, 1996, 2000)

Year Election Date Elected Defeated Total Plurality
1992 Primary[32] September 8 Gwen Moore Democratic 11,066 54.43% Louis Fortis Dem. 8,011 39.40% 20,331 3,055
Phyllis Williams-Kirk Dem. 1,254 6.17%
General[32] November 3 Gwen Moore Democratic 47,571 100.0% 47,571 47,571
1996 Primary[33] September 10 Gwen Moore (inc.) Democratic 6,277 78.45% Henry Lampkins Jr. Dem. 1,724 21.55% 8,001 4,553
General[33] November 5 Gwen Moore (inc.) Democratic 38,018 100.0% 38,018 38,018
2000 General[34] November 7 Gwen Moore (inc.) Democratic 47,980 99.09% 48,423 47,537

U.S. House (2004–present)

Year Election Date Elected Defeated Total Plurality
2004 Primary[35] September 14 Gwen Moore Democratic 48,858 64.20% Matt Flynn Dem. 19,377 25.46% 76,103 29,481
Tim Carpenter Dem. 7,801 10.25%
General[36] November 2 Gwen Moore Democratic 212,382 69.60% Gerald H. Boyle Rep. 85,928 28.16% 305,142 126,454
Tim Johnson Ind. 3,733 1.22%
Robert R. Raymond Ind. 1,861 0.61%
Colin Hudson Con. 897 0.29%
2006 General[37] November 7 Gwen Moore (inc.) Democratic 136,735 71.31% Perfecto Rivera Rep. 54,486 28.42% 191,742 82,249
2008 General[38] November 4 Gwen Moore (inc.) Democratic 222,728 87.63% Michael D. LaForest Rep. 29,282 11.52% 254,179 193,446
2010 Primary[39] September 14 Gwen Moore (inc.) Democratic 33,107 83.63% Paul Morel Dem. 6,430 16.24% 39,589 26,677
General[40] November 2 Gwen Moore (inc.) Democratic 143,559 68.98% Dan Sebring Rep. 61,543 29.57% 208,103 82,016
Eddie Ahmad Ayyash Ind. 2,802 1.35%
2012 General[41] November 6 Gwen Moore (inc.) Democratic 235,257 72.21% Dan Sebring Rep. 80,787 24.80% 325,788 154,470
Robert R. Raymond Ind. 9,277 2.85%
2014 Primary[42] August 12 Gwen Moore (inc.) Democratic 52,413 70.91% Gary R. George Dem. 21,242 28.74% 73,912 31,171
General[43] November 4 Gwen Moore (inc.) Democratic 179,045 70.24% Dan Sebring Rep. 68,490 26.87% 254,892 110,555
Robert R. Raymond Ind. 7,002 2.75%
2016 Primary[44] August 9 Gwen Moore (inc.) Democratic 55,256 84.49% Gary R. George Dem. 10,013 15.31% 65,397 45,243
General[45] November 8 Gwen Moore (inc.) Democratic 220,181 76.74% Robert R. Raymond Ind. 33,494 11.67% 254,892 110,555
Andy Craig Lib. 32,183 11.22%
2018 Primary[46] August 9 Gwen Moore (inc.) Democratic 76,991 88.86% Gary R. George Dem. 9,468 10.93% 86,640 67,523
General[47] November 6 Gwen Moore (inc.) Democratic 206,487 75.61% Tim Rogers Rep. 59,091 21.64% 273,087 147,396
Robert R. Raymond Ind. 7,170 2.63%
2020 General[48] November 3 Gwen Moore (inc.) Democratic 232,668 74.65% Tim Rogers Rep. 70,769 22.70% 311,697 161,899
Robert R. Raymond Ind. 7,911 2.54%
2022 General November 8 Gwen Moore (inc.) Democratic 191,955 75.27% Tim Rogers Rep. 57,660 22.62% 255,012
Robert R. Raymond Ind. 5,164 2.03%

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Membership". Congressional Black Caucus. Retrieved March 7, 2018.
  2. ↑ "Hoyer Congratulates Leaders of the Congressional Black Caucus for the 115th Congress | The Office of Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer". www.democraticwhip.gov. Retrieved November 30, 2017.
  3. ↑ "It's Rep. Conyers' Right To Fight Allegations, Rep. Moore Says". NPR. Retrieved November 30, 2017.
  4. ↑ "AmeriCorps: Gwendolynne Moore". Corporation for National & Community Service. Retrieved May 28, 2012.
  5. ↑ Archived June 22, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  6. ↑ Sandler, Larry (November 3, 2004). "Moore rewrites history: Mainstream appeal makes her state's first black congresswoman". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
  7. ↑ "Rep. Gwen Moore Weighs in on Birth Control Victory". Ms. Magazine. August 3, 2011.
  8. ↑ "Caucus Members". Congressional Progressive Caucus. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
  9. ↑ "Rep. Gwen Moore (D-WI) In Opposition to the Pence Amendment". Youtube.com. Archived from the original on December 22, 2021. Retrieved May 28, 2012.
  10. ↑ "Dem Leaders to Stearns: Stop Pointless Political Attack on Planned Parenthood". Project Vote Smart. October 11, 2011. Retrieved May 28, 2012.
  11. ↑ "HR 358 - Amends Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to Prohibit Abortion Coverage". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved May 28, 2012.
  12. ↑ Nocera, Kate (May 16, 2012). "Rep. Gwen Moore recounts sexual assault". POLITICO. Retrieved March 6, 2021.
  13. ↑ "Gwen Moore - Ratings and Endorsements". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved May 28, 2012.
  14. ↑ "JS Online: Moore expects arrest in protest". Archived from the original on September 29, 2007. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  15. ↑ Clare Foran (July 24, 2019). "Who voted 'no' on the House resolution opposing Israel boycott movement". CNN. Retrieved July 25, 2019.
  16. ↑ Schneider, Bradley Scott (July 23, 2019). "H.Res.246 - 116th Congress (2019-2020): Opposing efforts to delegitimize the State of Israel and the Global Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement targeting Israel". www.congress.gov. Retrieved July 25, 2019.
  17. ↑ Panetta, Grace (December 19, 2019). "WHIP COUNT: Here's which members of the House voted for and against impeaching Trump". Business Insider. Archived from the original on January 31, 2021. Retrieved June 30, 2021.
  18. ↑ "H.Con.Res. 21: Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of … -- House Vote #136 -- Mar 8, 2023".
  19. ↑ Gans, Jared (May 31, 2023). "Republicans and Democrats who bucked party leaders by voting no". The Hill. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
  20. ↑ "Caucus Membrs". US House of Representatives. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
  21. ↑ "Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article". Archived from the original on July 5, 2008. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  22. ↑ "Lawmaker's son sentenced for tire slashing - politics". nbcnews.com. April 26, 2006. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
  23. ↑ "Priscilla E. Coggs-Jones, 13th District". county.milwaukee.gov. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  24. ↑ Crouse, Tiffany (April 11, 2015). "Son of Gwen Moore and Son of David Cullen Win County Board Supervisor Positions". Milwaukee Courier. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  25. ↑ Hand, Robert (September 5, 2008). "U.S. Congressional Delegation Visits Kazakhstan for Parliamentary Assembly Annual Session". Commission on Security & Cooperation in Europe. Archived from the original on September 15, 2012.
  26. ↑ "Democrats Announce Additional Speakers and Schedule Updates for 2020 Democratic National Convention: "Uniting America"". 2020 Democratic National Convention. August 11, 2020. Archived from the original on August 14, 2020. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  27. ↑ Fordham, Evie (January 3, 2021). "Democratic congresswoman to vote on House floor 6 days after announcing positive coronavirus test". Fox News. Archived from the original on May 14, 2021. Retrieved June 30, 2021.
  28. ↑ Dirr, Alison (December 28, 2020). "U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore isolating after testing positive for COVID-19". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  29. ↑ "Faith on the Hill: The religious composition of the 118th Congress". Pew Research Center. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  30. 1 2 Barish, Lawrence S.; Theobald, H. Rupert, eds. (1989). "Elections" (PDF). State of Wisconsin 1989-1990 Blue Book (Report). Madison, Wisconsin: Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. pp. 910, 925. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  31. ↑ Barish, Lawrence S.; Theobald, H. Rupert, eds. (1989). "Elections" (PDF). State of Wisconsin 1991-1992 Blue Book (Report). Madison, Wisconsin: Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. pp. 899, 915. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  32. 1 2 Barish, Lawrence S.; Theobald, H. Rupert, eds. (1993). "Elections" (PDF). State of Wisconsin 1993-1994 Blue Book (Report). Madison, Wisconsin: Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. pp. 900, 919. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  33. 1 2 Barish, Lawrence S., ed. (1993). "Elections" (PDF). State of Wisconsin 1997-1998 Blue Book (Report). Madison, Wisconsin: Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. pp. 888, 889. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  34. ↑ Results of Fall General Election - 11/07/2000 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin State Elections Board. May 10, 2001. p. 6. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  35. ↑ Results of Fall Primary Election - 09/14/2004 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin State Elections Board. November 10, 2004. p. 6. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  36. ↑ Results of Fall General Election - 11/02/2004 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin State Elections Board. December 1, 2004. p. 4. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  37. ↑ Results of Fall General Election - 11/07/2006 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin State Elections Board. December 5, 2006. p. 4. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  38. ↑ Results of Fall General Election - 11/04/2008 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin State Elections Board. December 1, 2008. p. 3. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  39. ↑ FINAL Sept. 14, 2010 Fall Partisan Primary Results Summary (includes recount) (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Government Accountability Board. October 4, 2010. p. 7. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  40. ↑ 2010 Fall General Election Results Summary (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Government Accountability Board. October 4, 2010. pp. 3–4. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  41. ↑ Canvass Results for 2012 Presidential and General Election - 11/6/2012 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Government Accountability Board. November 6, 2012. p. 3. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  42. ↑ Canvass Results for 2014 Fall Partisan Primary - 8/12/2014 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Government Accountability Board. August 29, 2014. p. 5. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  43. ↑ Canvass Results for 2014 General Election - 11/4/2014 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Government Accountability Board. November 26, 2014. p. 4. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  44. ↑ Canvass Results for 2016 Partisan Primary - 8/9/2016 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Government Accountability Board. September 30, 2016. p. 3. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  45. ↑ Canvass Results for 2016 General Election - 11/8/2016 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. December 22, 2016. pp. 3–4. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  46. ↑ Canvass Results for 2018 Partisan Primary - 8/14/2018 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Government Accountability Board. August 31, 2018. pp. 12–13. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  47. ↑ Canvass Results for 2018 General Election - 11/6/2018 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. February 22, 2019. p. 4. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  48. ↑ Canvass Results for 2020 General Election - 11/3/2020 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. November 18, 2020. p. 2. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
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