Mark Gjonaj
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Mark Gjonaj (/ˈdʒoʊnaɪ/ JOH-nye; born December 1968) is an American politician who served in the New York City Council from the 13th district from 2018 to 2021. He previously represented the 80th district of the New York State Assembly from 2013 to 2017. His district encompasses Morris Park, Pelham Parkway, Pelham Gardens, and Norwood, among other communities of the Bronx.
Early life and education
Gjonaj was born in the Bronx to an Albanian family from Reč, Montenegro. He attended St. Raymond High School for Boys and graduated from St. John's University with a Bachelor of Arts degree.
Career
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 the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission.
New York State Assembly
Gjonaj defeated incumbent assemblywoman Naomi Rivera in the 2012 Democratic primary race. On November 6, 2012, he won the general election with 79% of the vote.
New York City Council
In 2017, Gjonaj entered the race to represent the 13th District of the New York City Council, to replace Councilman James Vacca, who had to step down due to term limits. 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 the Republican candidate John Cerini by a margin of 49% to 36%.
In 2020, in response to the coronavirus pandemic and the ensuing recession, Gjonaj introduced a bill to cap fees charged by delivery applications (e.g. Grubhub).
Controversies
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.
In August 2018, Gjonaj was filmed chanting "shame" at Alessandra Biaggi, who was running in a primary against incumbent State Senator Jeffrey D. Klein. Gjonaj's chief of staff said that he was angry at Biaggi's support for bike infrastructure. Biaggi won the primary.
Election history
| 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 byJames Vacca | New York City Council, 13th district 2018–2021 | Succeeded byMarjorie Velázquez |
| Preceded byNaomi Rivera | New York Assembly, 80th District 2013-2017 | Succeeded byNathalia Fernandez |