Mark Gjonaj

Mark Gjonaj ( ) is a United States politician of the Democratic Party for District 80 in the New York State Assembly. His district encompasses Morris Park, Pelham Parkway, Pelham Gardens, and Norwood, among other communities located in The Bronx. Gjonaj defeated incumbent assemblyman Naomi Rivera in the 2012 Democratic primary race.^[1] On November 6, 2012, he won the general election with 79% of the vote.^[2]

Mark Gjonaj represents New York’s 80th Assembly District, which encompasses the neighborhoods of Allerton, Bedford Park, Morris Park, Mosholu Parkway, Norwood, Pelham Gardens, Pelham Parkway and Van Nest in the Bronx.

Born and raised in the Bronx, Mark currently resides in the Pelham Parkway community with his wife Roberta, a school nurse, and his two sons Nicholas, a high school student and graduate of a Bronx public school, and Joseph, who is currently enrolled in a Bronx elementary public school. He is the son of two hard-working Albanian immigrant union members and a graduate of St. John’s University.

Believing that "You can only get out of a community from what you put into it," Mark started the "Gjonaj CARES" – (Community, Accountability, Responsibility, Encouragement, Service) initiative, which promotes community participation to improve neighborhoods.

As a newly elected Assemblyman, Mark Gjonaj plays an active role in Albany and in the district to create good paying jobs, affordable housing, quality education, the expansion of healthcare facilities, senior protection, safe streets in all neighborhoods, and a better quality of life for all.^[3]

Career

Gjonaj was born in the Bronx to an Albanian family from Reč, Montenegro. Attended St. John's University (New York) and earned a degree in marketing. He is the president of M P Realty Group Corp., a real estate brokerage firm that he founded in 1999, and manages the sole property of Kramlaup Realty Corp. – an apartment building in City Island. His political experience prior to election was as a member of the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission.

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