Mark Hamilton Schauer (born October 2, 1961) is an American politician who served as a U.S. representative for Michigan's 7th congressional district from 2009 to 2011.

After the election, Schauer became chairman of PAC Advantage 2020, which aims to help Democrats retake state legislative chambers.

His mother, Myra (Trafton), was a registered nurse, and his father, Robert Schauer, was a high school science teacher.

Schauer worked as an urban planner for the Calhoun County Planning Department, 1984–1987, while he completed a master's degree in public administration from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo.

[4] Schauer has also been actively involved in the supporting the Food Bank of South Central Michigan and the Urban League of Battle Creek.

[6] In 1999, he strongly opposed Republican Governor John Engler's plan to appoint a monitor for Detroit Public Schools.

In August 2007, Schauer formed a finance committee to challenge freshman Republican U.S. Representative Tim Walberg, who was identified as a top target by the DCCC.

[13] Schauer was considered a top contender for the Democratic nomination and his announcement resulted in David Nacht, who had raised $160K in the first quarter, to drop out of the race.

[20] In the final days before the election, former President Bill Clinton headlined a rally for Schauer in his home town.

[22] In the 111th Congress, Schauer voted with his party on most major legislation, including votes in support of the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act; reauthorization of the State Children's Health Insurance Program; and in support of a repeal of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy.

Schauer supported the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, earning him praise from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce,[24] and pledged "vigorous oversight" of how funds were used.

[25] In addition, Schauer supported the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, stating that the legislation would "protect consumers, crack down on the risky practices that put our entire economy at risk, and help lay the groundwork to get our economy back on track" and that his vote was "about doing what's fair.

"[26] Schauer also supported the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act,[27] a vote that would receive considerable attention in his 2010 re-election loss.

After leaving Congress, Schauer began working with BlueGreen Alliance, described in an interview as "a partnership of 10 unions and four environmental groups that is dedicated to expanding the number and quality of jobs in the green economy.

"[30] In the same interview, Schauer noted that he had also been working with the Construction Laborers’ union on Michigan wind farm projects.

[31][32] On December 11, 2012, Schauer was one of an estimated 12,500 demonstrators[33] at the Michigan State Capitol protesting the proposed Right-to-work legislation.

'"[37] Senate Minority Leader Gretchen Whitmer, who had removed herself from consideration in January,[38] stated in April 2013 that she expected Schauer to be nominated unopposed.

After the election, Schauer became Chairman of the super PAC Advantage 2020, which aims to help Democrats retake state legislative chambers ahead of the 2020 census and subsequent redistricting, which will redraw Congressional district boundaries.

[49] Appearing in an ad produced by the Democratic Governors Association in January 2014, Schauer highlighted his father's career as a high school science teacher and attacked incumbent Governor Rick Snyder for signing a budget that cut education spending by $1 billion—a figure disputed by the Snyder campaign.

[50][51] On April 16, 2014, Schauer's campaign released a document outlining his priorities for public education,[52] including plans to universal publicly funded pre-school; establishing state standards for maximum class sizes; and eliminating the controversial Education Achievement Authority instituted under Snyder's administration.

"[67] Following the Supreme Court rulings in United States v. Windsor and Hollingsworth v. Perry, Schauer called upon incumbent Governor Rick Snyder to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states and indicated that if elected, he would seek to legalize same-sex marriage in Michigan as well.