Eric Sorensen (politician)
Eric Sorensen | |
---|---|
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois's 17th district | |
Assumed office January 3, 2023 | |
Preceded by | Cheri Bustos |
Personal details | |
Born | Rockford, Illinois, U.S. | March 18, 1976
Political party | Democratic |
Education | Northern Illinois University (BS) |
Website | House website |
Eric Sorensen (/ˈsɔːrənsən/ SOAR-ən-sən; born March 18, 1976) is an American meteorologist and politician serving as the U.S. representative from Illinois's 17th congressional district since 2023. A member of the Democratic Party, Sorensen is the first openly gay member of Congress from Illinois.[1]
Early life and career
Born in Rockford, Illinois, Sorensen graduated from Boylan Catholic High School.[2] He studied communications and meteorology at Northern Illinois University.[3]
Sorensen began his career as a meteorologist at
U.S. House of Representatives
Elections
2022
With
Tenure
COVID-19 policy
On January 31, 2023, Sorensen voted against H.R.497:Freedom for Health Care Workers Act, a bill that would lift COVID-19 vaccine mandates for healthcare workers.[7][8]
On February 1, 2023, Sorensen voted against a resolution to end the COVID-19 national emergency.[9][10]
Syria
In 2023, Sorensen voted against H.Con.Res. 21, which directed President Joe Biden to remove U.S. troops from Syria within 180 days.[11][12]
Committee assignments
For the 118th Congress:[13]
- Committee on Agriculture
- Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
- Subcommittee on Energy
- Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics (Ranking Member)
Caucus memberships
Source:[14]
- Congressional Equality Caucus (co-chair)
- Heartland Caucus
- New Democrat Coalition
Electoral history
2022
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Eric Sorensen | 14,702 | 37.7 | |
Democratic | Litesa Wallace | 9,103 | 23.3 | |
Democratic | Jonathan Logemann | 5,628 | 14.4 | |
Democratic | Angie Normoyle | 4,818 | 12.4 | |
Democratic | Marsha Williams | 2,701 | 6.9 | |
Democratic | Jacqueline McGowan | 2,040 | 5.2 | |
Write-in | 14 | 0.0 | ||
Total votes | 39,006 | 100.0 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Eric Sorensen | 121,186 | 52.0 | |
Republican | Esther Joy King | 111,931 | 48.0 | |
Write-in | 6 | 0.0 | ||
Total votes | 233,123 | 100.0 |
Personal life
Sorensen is the first openly gay person to be elected to Congress from Illinois.[1] He lives with his partner in Moline.[1]
References
- ^ a b c "IL Meteorologist Sorensen Becomes State's First Openly Gay Congressman". patch.com. November 10, 2022.
- ^ a b c "Eric Sorensen, former Rockford TV meteorologist, to run for Congress". Rrstar.com. November 10, 2021. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
- ^ Kinnicutt, Grace (October 17, 2022). "Meet the Illinois-17th District candidates: Eric Sorensen and Esther Joy King". The Quad-City Times. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
- ^ "The Flood Watcher".
- ^ a b "Former Rockford meteorologist Eric Sorensen announces run for Illinois' 17th Congressional District". Wifr.com. November 10, 2021. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
- ^ "King concedes Illinois 17th Congressional District race to Sorensen". Kwqc.com. November 9, 2022. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
- ^ "Seven Democrats join Republicans in vote to lift vaccine mandate for healthcare workers". January 31, 2023.
- ^ "On Passage - H.R.497: To eliminate the COVID-19 vaccine mandate on". August 12, 2015.
- ^ "House passes resolution to end COVID-19 national emergency". February 2023.
- ^ "On Passage - H.J.RES.7: Relating to a national emergency declared by". August 12, 2015.
- ^ "H.Con.Res. 21: Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of … -- House Vote #136 -- Mar 8, 2023". March 8, 2023.
- ^ "House Votes Down Bill Directing Removal of Troops From Syria". Associated Press. March 8, 2023.
- ^ "Eric Sorensen". Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
- ^ "Committees and Caucuses". Representative Eric Sorensen. January 3, 2023. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
- ^ "2022 General Election Results". Archived from the original on January 28, 2021. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
External links
- Congressman Eric Sorensen official U.S. House website
- Eric Sorensen for Illinois campaign website
- Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
- Legislation sponsored at the Library of Congress
- Profile at Vote Smart
- Appearances on C-SPAN