Mark Gjonaj | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of theNew York City Council from the13th district | |
| In office January 1, 2018 – December 31, 2021 | |
| Preceded by | James Vacca |
| Succeeded by | Marjorie Velázquez |
| Member of theNew York State Assembly from the 80th district | |
| In office January 1, 2013 – December 31, 2017 | |
| Preceded by | Naomi Rivera |
| Succeeded by | Nathalia Fernandez |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1968 (age 57–58) The Bronx, New York, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | St. John's University (BA) |
Mark Gjonaj (/ˈdʒoʊnaɪ/JOH-nye; born December 1968)[1][2] is an American politician who served in theNew York City Council from the13th district from 2018 to 2021. He previously represented the 80th district of theNew York State Assembly from 2013 to 2017. His district encompassesMorris Park,Pelham Parkway,Pelham Gardens, andNorwood, among other communities ofthe Bronx.
Gjonaj was born in theBronx to anAlbanian family fromReč,Montenegro. He attendedSt. Raymond High School for Boys and graduated fromSt. John's University with a Bachelor of Arts degree.[3][4]
Gjonaj is the president of M P Realty Group Corp., a real estate brokerage firm that he founded in 1999. His political experience prior to election was as a member of theNew York City Taxi and Limousine Commission.
Gjonaj defeated incumbent assemblywomanNaomi Rivera in the 2012 Democratic primary race. On November 6, 2012, he won the general election with 79% of the vote.[5]
In 2017, Gjonaj entered the race to represent the 13th District of theNew York City Council, to replace CouncilmanJames Vacca, who had to step down due toterm limits.[6] Gjonaj won the five-way primary with 39% of the vote.
On November 8, 2017, Gjonaj won his bid to replace New York City Councilman James Vacca, defeating theRepublican candidate John Cerini by a margin of 49% to 36%.[7]
In 2020, in response to thecoronavirus pandemic and the ensuing recession, Gjonaj introduced a bill to cap fees charged by delivery applications (e.g.Grubhub).[8]
In 2017, Gjonaj confirmed that he had used over $17,000 of donor funds to sue New York City for siting homeless shelters and mental health facilities in the Bronx.[9]
In August 2018, Gjonaj was filmed chanting "shame" atAlessandra Biaggi, who was running in a primary against incumbent State SenatorJeffrey D. Klein. Gjonaj's chief of staff said that he was angry at Biaggi's support for bike infrastructure.[10] Biaggi won the primary.
| Election History | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Location | Year | Election Type | Results | ||
| Candidate | Votes | Percent | |||
| NYS Assembly District 80 | 2012 | General | √ Mark Gjonaj (D) | 22,386 | 77.76% |
| Nicole J. Torres (R) | 2,600 | 7.92% | |||
| Naomi Rivera (WFP) | 2,186 | 6.66% | |||
| Patrick A. McManus (Cons) | 861 | 2.62% | |||
| William Edstrom (Green) | 274 | 0.83% | |||
| NYS Assembly District 80 | 2014 | General | √ Mark Gjonaj (D) | 9,816 | 77.76% |
| Robert Goodman (R/Cons) | 1,892 | 14.99% | |||
| NYS Assembly District 80 | 2016 | General | √ Mark Gjonaj (D) | 24,959 | 70.50% |
| Nicholas Marricco (R) | 3,391 | 9.58% | |||
| Robert Goodman (Cons) | 953 | 2.69% | |||
| NYC Council District 13 | 2017 | Democratic Primary | √ Mark Gjonaj | 3,503 | 38.46% |
| Marjorie Velázquez | 3,113 | 34.14% | |||
| John C. Doyle | 1,728 | 18.97% | |||
| NYC Council District 13 | 2017 | General | √ Mark Gjonaj (D) | 10,602 | 48.62% |
| John Cerini (R/Cons/Reform) | 7,791 | 35.73% | |||
| Marjorie Velázquez (WFP) | 2,829 | 12.97% | |||
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | New York City Council,13th district 2018–2021 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | New York Assembly, 80th District 2013-2017 | Succeeded by |
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