| Jack Markell | |
|---|---|
| 73rd Governor of Delaware | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office January 20, 2009 |
|
| Lieutenant | Matthew Denn |
| Preceded by | Ruth Ann Minner |
| Treasurer of Delaware | |
| In office January 16, 1999 – January 20, 2009 |
|
| Governor | Tom Carper Ruth Ann Minner |
| Preceded by | Janet Rzewnicki |
| Succeeded by | Velda Jones-Potter |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 26, 1960 Newark, Delaware |
| Political party | Democratic Party |
| Spouse(s) | Carla Markell |
| Residence | Woodburn |
| Alma mater | Brown University University of Chicago |
| Profession | Corporate executive |
| Religion | Judaism |
| Signature | |
| Website | Personal website Office of the Governor |
Jack A. Markell (born November 26, 1960) is an American businessman and politician who has been Governor of Delaware since 2009. Markell, a member of the Democratic Party from Centreville, in New Castle County, Delaware, served as State Treasurer of Delaware from 1999 to 2009 and was elected as the 73rd Governor of Delaware in November 2008. Now in his first term, he is the state's first Jewish governor. On December 2, 2009, it was announced that Markell would follow Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer as Chair of the Democratic Governors Association for the 2009-2010 term.
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Markell grew up in Newark, Delaware, and graduated from Newark High School and Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, earning degrees in economics and development studies and receiving an MBA degree from the University of Chicago. As a child, he attended Camp Galil, a summer camp in the Labor Zionist youth movement, Habonim Dror.[1] He is married to Carla Markell, and has two children, Molly and Michael.
Markell served as Vice President for Corporate Development at Nextel, and helped to lead the movement to wireless technology. His other work experience included a senior management position at Comcast Corporation as well as posts as a consultant at McKinsey and Company, Inc. and as a banker at First Chicago Corporation.
Markell was first elected State Treasurer of Delaware in 1998, unseating four-term Republican incumbent Janet C. Rzewnicki, and was re-elected in 2002 and 2006.
As State Treasurer, Markell led the development of several educational efforts in personal financial management, known collectively as "the Financial Literacy initiatives." He created the Delaware Money School, which offers free classes to Delawareans throughout the year on topics such as saving for college and retirement planning. He also began the “Delaware Bank at School Program” which takes banks and financial education to schools. In a third program, he partnered with the University of Delaware, Center for Economic Education and Entrepreneurship, as well as several Delaware banks, to teach young children the basics of money and savings.
In 2001 Governor Ruth Ann Minner chose Markell to chair the Information Services Task Force, which developed and implemented recommendations to modify the state's management of information technology. In 2002 he led an effort to streamline and coordinate the procurement of goods and services while using state-of-the-art purchasing techniques. He also led the “Health Rewards” initiative, which offers Delaware state government employees comprehensive physical assessments, detailed statistics about how their health compares with their peers across the country, and recommendations about how they can improve their health.
On June 6, 2007, Markell officially launched his candidacy for Governor of Delaware, setting up a primary with Lt. Governor John Carney. Markell raised 1.5 million dollars in contributions from almost 3000 individuals. Beginning in the summer of 2007, Markell released fourteen policy papers on issues ranging from energy to health care to education. Early, Markell was far behind in polls and endorsements. The Young Democrats Movement and other organizations allowed Markell to gain early momentum, but these efforts were offset by the endorsement of Carney by the Delaware Democratic Party. Markell closed the polls slowly but surely, until election day when Carney still held a small lead.
Markell won a come-from-behind victory over Carney, with 51.2% of the vote, on the September 9th Primary.[2] The General Election was rather uneventful, with Markell facing 2004 Republican Nominee and former Judge William Swain Lee. Markell defeated Lee by more than 25%.
According to The News Journal, the installation ceremony was held in the middle of the night to comply with the requirements of the state constitution that the governor be inaugurated on the third Tuesday of January and to allow Delawareans to enjoy the historic event that would occur later that day: the inauguration of President Barack Obama, and his vice president, Delaware’s Joseph R. Biden, Jr. A traditional swearing-in ceremony was held the following day on Legislative Mall in Dover, Delaware.[3]
Markell entered office with an unprecedented budget challenge,[4] facing a deficit of almost $800,000,000. One of his first actions was to cut his own salary by 20%. Markell announced his plan to balance the budget, a Constitutionally mandated action, in March 2009. Avoiding lay-offs, the Governor's plan included an 8% pay cut for state employees, legalization and taxation of sports betting, over $200 million worth of cuts, and revenue enhancements on such things as liquor and tobacco.[5]
After failing to obtain an initial majority in the state House of Representatives, the Markell's sports betting proposal was approved on a second vote in May 2009. Legislation legalizing sports betting was quickly approved by the state Senate and signed by the Governor. Initial estimates of revenue for the state from sports betting were between 50 and 60 million dollars. Current revenues estimates are lower following a decision by the U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals banning single game bets.[4]
Following late night budget negotiations at Legislative Hall, a compromise budget was passed by the General Assembly and signed by the Governor at 4 AM on July 1, avoiding a budget crisis and government shut-down.[6] Several states in similar circumstances were unable to meet their budget deadlines and were forced to cut or close down many government offices and programs.
Following through on several campaign promises early in his term, the Governor signed energy legislation which aims to reduce Delaware's energy consumption by 15% by 2015, updating building codes, and mandating that renewable energy be considered first when expanding supplies.[7] Markell also approved legislation banning discrimination based on sexual orientation in housing, insurance and employment, ending a ten-year battle.[8]
Markell proposed and signed major educational reform initiatives, including abolishing the controversial Delaware Student Testing Program (DSTP), establishing a pilot program to reward improving schools, and passing legislation to improve transparency and autonomy within school districts.[9]
In addition to reduced state revenue, the current economic environment has driven rising unemployment. In response, Markell initiated several economic development initiatives, including the LIFT Program, meant to ensure the survival and growth of small businesses.[10]
Markell’s administration has emphasized the need to combine business expertise with the advantages of a small state: the ability to respond rapidly and flexibly to opportunities and close-knit, cross-sector communities. This has been especially apparent in response to several serious challenges, including the shutdown of Chrysler’s plant in Newark and the closure of GM’s plant in Wilmington.
Governor Markell facilitated the acquisition of the Newark Chrysler plant by the University of Delaware (UD) to build a research and technology campus that may generate both employment and local innovation. UD President Patrick Harker has stated: “Our goal over time is to construct high performance facilities that support the University's Climate Action Plan and restore portions of the land and natural features.”[11]
Following the closure of the GM plant in July 2009, Markell and his team pursued Fisker Automotive. Although in competition with several other states, a deal was signed to reopen the facility after just over two months of negotiations. Fisker will invest a minimum of US$ 175 million in upgrading the plant. Production of hybrid sedans will begin as early as 2011 for the domestic market as well as for export through the Port of Wilmington. Fisker anticipates that the process will create approximately 2,500 jobs and contribute to Delaware’s effort to compete in the “green economy.”[12]
In 2010, the Markell administration had two more major economic successes that will help save and increase many jobs during the recession. When Valero announced that they were closing their Delaware City Refinery, Governor Markell began searching for an owner/buyer. When PBF Energy Partners, LP expressed interest, Markell aided in the negotiations with Valero, allowing PBF to purchase the refinery. They hope to have the refinery running as soon as spring 2011. Markell and PBF agreed that the company will receive economic development incentives in exchange for providing 600 full-time jobs.
Not long after, Sallie Mae, one of the nation’s largest providers of student loans, decided to relocate their headquarters to Delaware. The company expects to hire as many as 1,500 Delawareans over the next five years.[13] Thanks to the Delaware Strategic Fund, a state program that can provide economic incentives to companies thinking of moving to Delaware, Markell and his economic development team have also succeeded in attracting businesses such as Sanosil International and Testing Machines Inc.[14]
A new recycling program will require both public and private waste collectors to offer curbside recycling pickups at least once every other week and provide containers. "The recycling bill was the home run of the year." said Sen. David McBride, D-Hawks Nest.[15] A new clean energy bill will require utilities to rely on clean energy for 25% of their energy. This law also promotes shared solar installations and supports smaller green-energy projects.[16]
In March 2010, Delaware placed first out of the 16 finalists in the federal government’s grant competition for innovative education reform, making the state eligible to receive as much as $119 million. The money received will be used to identify and better Delaware’s low-performing schools, improve the system for evaluating students, and raise the standard for and improve the quality of the state’s educators.[17]
In June 2010, the Governor signed into law the Business Finder’s Fee Tax Credit or “BFF”, which provides incentives for companies that bring new jobs to the state. “The BFF program will make us more effective and efficient by enlisting Delawareans across the state to search for more opportunities to create jobs,” said Markell.[18]
Soon after, Markell approved a balanced budget. The FY 2011 budget focuses on job creation and economic development, counteracted by a reduction in the number of state employees. Compared to the 2009 budget, the new budget is $50 million less and includes 1,026 fewer state positions.[19]
| Delaware General Assembly (sessions while Governor) |
|||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Assembly | Senate Majority | President pro tempore |
House Majority | Speaker | ||||||
| 2009–2010 | 145th | Democratic | Anthony J. DeLuca | Democratic | Robert F. Gilligan | ||||||
Elections are held the Tuesday after the first Monday in November. The Governor and State Treasurer take office the third Tuesday of January and each has a four-year term.
| Public Offices | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Office | Type | Location | Began office | Ended office | notes | |
| Treasurer | Executive | Dover | January 16, 1999 | January 18, 2003 | ||
| Treasurer | Executive | Dover | January 18, 2003 | January 16, 2007 | ||
| Treasurer | Executive | Dover | January 16, 2007 | January 20, 2009 | ||
| Election results | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Office | Election | Subject | Party | Votes | % | Opponent | Party | Votes | % | ||
| 1998 | Treasurer | General | Jack A. Markell | Democratic | 103,407 | 58% | Janet C. Rzewnicki | Republican | 74,633 | 42% | ||
| 2002 | Treasurer | General | Jack A. Markell | Democratic | 147,390 | 66% | Ronald G. Poliquin | Republican | 75,344 | 34% | ||
| 2006 | Treasurer | General | Jack A. Markell | Democratic | 174,382 | 70.5% | Esthelda R. Parker-Selby | Republican | 73,003 | 29.5% | ||
| 2008 | Governor | Primary | Jack A. Markell | Democratic | 37,849 | 51.2% | John C. Carney, Jr. | Democratic | 36,112 | 48.8% | ||
| 2008 | Governor | General | Jack A. Markell | Democratic | 266,858 | 67.5% | William Swain Lee | Republican | 126,660 | 32.0% | ||
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Janet Rzewnicki |
Treasurer of Delaware 1999–2009 |
Succeeded by Velda Jones-Potter |
| Preceded by Ruth Ann Minner |
Governor of Delaware 2009–present |
Incumbent |
| Party political offices | ||
| Preceded by Ruth Ann Minner |
Democratic nominee for Governor of Delaware 2008 |
Most recent |
| United States order of precedence | ||
| Preceded by Joe Biden as Vice President |
Order of Precedence of the United States Within Delaware |
Succeeded by Mayor of city in which event is held |
| Succeeded by Otherwise John Boehner as Speaker of the House of Representatives |
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| Preceded by Dean Heller as Least senior United States Senator |
Order of Precedence of the United States Outside Delaware |
Succeeded by Tom Corbett as Governor of Pennsylvania |
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