Mark Cochran
Mark Cochran | |
|---|---|
 Cochran in 2024 | |
| Member of the Tennessee House of Representatives from the 23rd district | |
| Assumed office January 8, 2019 | |
| Preceded by | John Forgety |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 21, 1985 |
| Political party | Republican |
| Residence(s) | Englewood, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Alma mater | University of Tennessee |
Mark Cochran is an American politician. A member of the Republican Party, he represents District 23 in the Tennessee House of Representatives. He was elected as part of the 111th general assembly in November 2018.[1] He was preceded by Republican representative John W. Forgety.[2] District 23 encompasses McMinn County and parts of Monroe County. Cochran began serving as the treasurer for the Tennessee State House of Representatives in 2019.
Early life
[edit]Cochran's family roots in the town of Englewood, Tennessee date back seven generations to the 1850s when his ancestors established a small farm. He grew up tending cattle and bagging groceries in his parents' store.[3][better source needed] He is a devout Christian and conservative.
From 2004-2008, Cochran attended the University of Tennessee in Knoxville where he earned a Masters Degree in Public Administration with a grade point average of 4.0. Following this, he remained at the University of Tennessee for one more year, to 2009, to earn a Bachelors in Broadcast Journalism, continuing to maintain a 4.0 GPA.[citation needed]
Career
[edit]In 2010, Cochran worked as a staff assistant in the office of former senator Bob Corker who held office from 2007-2019. Also starting in 2010, he became an assistant to the McMinn County Mayor's Office.[4] In 2015 he served as the campaign manager for Jason Zachary who ran for state representative for District 14, and defeated Scott Hacker with 72.9% or the vote.[5] As of 2015 Cochran also served as a board member on the Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers.
In 2023, Cochran supported a resolution to expel three Democratic lawmakers from the legislature for violating decorum rules. The expulsion was widely characterized as unprecedented.[6]
2018 Election
[edit]In the general election for District 23 of the Tennessee House of Representatives, Mark Cochran (R) defeated Brad Hartley (D).[7]
| Candidate | % | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| Mark Cochran (R) | 80.7 | 16,395 |
| Brad Hartley (D) | 19.3 | 3,918 |
| Total | 100 | 20,313 |
Preceding the general election, on August 2, 2018, Cochran won the Republican primary election against Donald Winder III for Tennessee House of Representatives District 23.[8]
| Mark Cochran | Donald Winder III | |
|---|---|---|
| McMinn | 4,198 | 3,367 |
| Monroe | 1,822 | 849 |
| Total | 6,020 | 4,216 |
Committees
[edit]Cochran presently is a member on the following legislative committees:[9] Education, Curriculum (Testing, and Innovation Subcommittees), Consumer and Human Resource Committee, (Consumer Subcommittee).
References
[edit]- ^ "Tennessee House of Representatives District 23". Ballotpedia. Retrieved November 26, 2019.
- ^ "Representatives - TN General Assembly". www.capitol.tn.gov. Retrieved November 26, 2019.
- ^ Balch, Gil (May 2, 2018), Mark Cochran for State Representative, retrieved November 26, 2019
- ^ "The Voter's Self Defense System". Vote Smart. Retrieved November 26, 2019.
- ^ "Jason Zachary". Ballotpedia. Retrieved November 26, 2019.
- ^ Andone, Dakin; Young, Ryan; Simonson, Amy; Almasy, Steve. "Tennessee's Republican-led House expels 2 Democratic lawmakers over gun reform protest, fails in bid to oust a third". CNN. Retrieved April 7, 2023.
- ^ "State of Tennessee November 6, 2018 State General" (PDF).
- ^ "State of Tennessee August 2, 2018 Republican Primary" (PDF).
- ^ "Representatives - TN General Assembly". www.capitol.tn.gov. Retrieved November 26, 2019.