Mark Block
Encyclopedia
Mark Block is an American
political strategist who, as of 2011, is serving as chief of staff
for the 2012 Republican presidential campaign
for Herman Cain
. Block has previously worked for Americans for Prosperity
.
. In the late 1970s, he worked for Republican Congressman William A. Steiger
until Steiger's death in 1978, and then took a job with NCR Corporation
from 1979 to 1991.
Block has run and consulted on numerous campaigns in Wisconsin since the 1980s. Among others, he ran Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson
's first re-election campaign in 1990. Following the 1997 campaign of Jon P. Wilcox
for the Wisconsin Supreme Court
, allegations were made by the Wisconsin Elections Board of election law violations. These were settled in 2001 when Block agreed to pay a $15,000 fine (though, without admitting any wrongdoing) and not to work on any campaigns until 2004.
By 2007, Block was serving as the Wisconsin director of the "pro-business" political advocacy group Americans for Prosperity
.
and Michigan
. At a March 2010 dinner with Cain in Las Vegas, Block and campaign aide Linda Hansen pitched a plan for how Cain could become a legitimate contender for the 2012 Republican nomination for President. Block's rising profile in the Cain campaign (including an October 3, 2011 profile in The Daily Caller
) gained additional attention on October 24–25, 2011, when a campaign ad showing Block take a puff on a cigarette
caused widespread consternation.
On October 30, 2011, allegations surfaced that the Cain campaign may have been illegally funded by Block's Prosperity USA. As a tax-exempt charity, Prosperity USA is not allowed to donate money or services to a political campaign.
, where he graduated from Weyauwega-Fremont High School in 1972. He has a Bachelors' degree from the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh (1977). He is married, with two children.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
political strategist who, as of 2011, is serving as chief of staff
Chief of Staff
The title, chief of staff, identifies the leader of a complex organization, institution, or body of persons and it also may identify a Principal Staff Officer , who is the coordinator of the supporting staff or a primary aide to an important individual, such as a president.In general, a chief of...
for the 2012 Republican presidential campaign
Republican Party (United States) presidential primaries, 2012
The 2012 Republican presidential primaries are the selection processes in which voters of the Republican Party will choose their nominee for President of the United States in the 2012 presidential election. The primary contest began with a fairly wide field, and is the first presidential primary...
for Herman Cain
Herman Cain
Herman Cain is a candidate for the 2012 U.S. Republican Party presidential nomination.Cain has a background as a business executive, syndicated columnist, and radio host from Georgia. He served as chairman and CEO of Godfather's Pizza from 1986 to 1996...
. Block has previously worked for Americans for Prosperity
Americans for Prosperity
Americans for Prosperity is a Washington, D.C.–based political advocacy group. According to their literature, they promote economic policy that supports business, and restrains regulation by government...
.
Background
In 1974, Block became the first 18-year-old ever elected to office in Wisconsin, when he won a position on the Winnebago County Board of SupervisorsWinnebago County Board
The Winnebago County Board of Supervisors is the legislative branch of the government of Winnebago County, Wisconsin, United States. Supervisors serve two year terms and are elected to the board in a nonpartisan election held the first Tuesday of April in even numbered years. There are currently 36...
. In the late 1970s, he worked for Republican Congressman William A. Steiger
William A. Steiger
William Albert "Bill" Steiger was a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1967 until his death in 1978. He served as a Republican from Wisconsin.-Early life:Steiger was born in Oshkosh, Wisconsin...
until Steiger's death in 1978, and then took a job with NCR Corporation
NCR Corporation
NCR Corporation is an American technology company specializing in kiosk products for the retail, financial, travel, healthcare, food service, entertainment, gaming and public sector industries. Its main products are self-service kiosks, point-of-sale terminals, automated teller machines, check...
from 1979 to 1991.
Block has run and consulted on numerous campaigns in Wisconsin since the 1980s. Among others, he ran Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson
Tommy Thompson
Thomas George "Tommy" Thompson , a United States Republican politician, was the 42nd Governor of Wisconsin, after which he served as U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services. Thompson was a candidate for the 2008 U.S. Presidential Election, but dropped out early after a poor performance in polls...
's first re-election campaign in 1990. Following the 1997 campaign of Jon P. Wilcox
Jon P. Wilcox
Justice Jon P. Wilcox is a former justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court. He was appointed to the Court by Governor Tommy G. Thompson in 1992 and elected to the court in 1997. His term expired July 31, 2007. Justice Wilcox did not seek re-election, and Washington County Circuit Court Judge...
for the Wisconsin Supreme Court
Wisconsin Supreme Court
The Wisconsin Supreme Court is the highest appellate court in the state of Wisconsin. The Supreme Court has jurisdiction over original actions, appeals from lower courts, and regulation or administration of the practice of law in Wisconsin.-Location:...
, allegations were made by the Wisconsin Elections Board of election law violations. These were settled in 2001 when Block agreed to pay a $15,000 fine (though, without admitting any wrongdoing) and not to work on any campaigns until 2004.
By 2007, Block was serving as the Wisconsin director of the "pro-business" political advocacy group Americans for Prosperity
Americans for Prosperity
Americans for Prosperity is a Washington, D.C.–based political advocacy group. According to their literature, they promote economic policy that supports business, and restrains regulation by government...
.
Cain campaign
Block met Herman Cain while working as Wisconsin state director for Americans for Prosperity, and both were traveling to meetings in launching branches in OhioOhio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
and Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. At a March 2010 dinner with Cain in Las Vegas, Block and campaign aide Linda Hansen pitched a plan for how Cain could become a legitimate contender for the 2012 Republican nomination for President. Block's rising profile in the Cain campaign (including an October 3, 2011 profile in The Daily Caller
The Daily Caller
The Daily Caller is a news website based in Washington, D.C., United States, with a focus on politics, original reporting and breaking news, founded by journalist and political pundit Tucker Carlson and Neil Patel, former adviser to former Vice President Dick Cheney...
) gained additional attention on October 24–25, 2011, when a campaign ad showing Block take a puff on a cigarette
Tobacco
Tobacco is an agricultural product processed from the leaves of plants in the genus Nicotiana. It can be consumed, used as a pesticide and, in the form of nicotine tartrate, used in some medicines...
caused widespread consternation.
On October 30, 2011, allegations surfaced that the Cain campaign may have been illegally funded by Block's Prosperity USA. As a tax-exempt charity, Prosperity USA is not allowed to donate money or services to a political campaign.
Personal life
Block grew up in Weyauwega, WisconsinWeyauwega, Wisconsin
Weyauwega is a city in Waupaca County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,806 at the 2000 census. The city is located mostly within the Town of Weyauwega, though it is politically independent. Small portions extend north into the adjacent Town of Royalton...
, where he graduated from Weyauwega-Fremont High School in 1972. He has a Bachelors' degree from the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh (1977). He is married, with two children.