Jack A. Markell

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Jack A. Markell
Jack A. Markell
Taking office
January 3, 2009
Succeeding Ruth Ann Minner
Treasurer of Delaware
Incumbent
Assumed office 
January 16, 1999
Preceded by Janet C. Rzewnicki
Born November 26, 1960 (1960-11-26) (age 47)
Newark, Delaware
Political party Democratic
Spouse Carla Markell
Residence Centerville, Delaware
Alma mater Brown University
Occupation corporate executive
Religion Jewish
Website www.markell.org

Jack A. Markell (born November 26, 1960) is an American businessman and Governor-elect of Delaware from Centerville, in New Castle County, Delaware. He is a member of the Democratic Party, who is the incumbent state treasurer of Delaware. He is serving his third term as Treasurer of Delaware. In 2009, when inaugurated, he will be Delaware's first Jewish governor.

Contents

[edit] Early Life and Family

Markell graduated from Newark High School and Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, with degrees in economics and development studies and received an MBA degree from the University of Chicago. He is married to Carla Markell, whom he met while attending Newark High School. They have two children, Molly and Michael.

[edit] Professional career

Markell served as Vice President for Corporate Development at Nextel, where he was responsible for coming up with the name “Nextel,”[citation needed] and helping 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.

[edit] Treasurer of Delaware

Markell was first elected State Treasurer of Delaware in 1998, unseating Republican incumbent Janet C. Rzewnicki, and was re-elected in 2002 and 2006.

As State Treasurer, Markell has 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 has partnered with the University of Delaware, Center for Economic Education and Entrepreneurship, as well as leading 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 has also led the “Health Rewards” initiative which offers Delaware state government employees with 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.

Markell had over $1.5 million in his campaign fund, raising about $600,000. $750,000 of his campaign war chest was a loan from him to his campaign organization, Friends of Jack Markell. Erik Schramm, former campaign coordinator for Gov. Ruth Ann Minner's re-election, ran Markell's re-election campaign team. Working along side Schramm was Dana Rohrbough, who was campaign coordinator for Matt Denn's insurance commissioner campaign in 2004. The two former heads of Markell's campaign represent the combination of the campaign teams from the two most competitive races in 2004, governor and insurance commissioner.

[edit] Recognition

In 2002 the “Delaware Financial Literacy Initiatives” were chosen by the Council of State Governments as one of the top state government programs in its innovation awards program. Then in 2004 the “Health Rewards” initiative was chosen for the same recognition.[citation needed]

At the 2000 Democratic National Convention, Markell was selected by the Democratic Leadership Council as one of the 100 "rising stars" of the party. That same month New Democrat Magazine spotlighted him in a group of just ten innovative leaders from around the country under the age of 40.[citation needed] In October 2001, Philly Tech Magazine named Markell as the only Delawarean and the only government official on its list of the ten most influential technology leaders in the Philadelphia region. In 2004, the Aspen Institute selected Markell as the first Delawarean and first elected official for its Crown Fellow program.

Markell was the heavily favored candidate for reelection as State Treasurer in 2006. He had no primary opponent and his general election opponent was Republican Esthelda R. Parker Selby. He won the 2006 election with 70.5% of the vote.

[edit] 2008 Governor campaign

Main article: Delaware gubernatorial election, 2008

On June 6, 2007 Jack Markell officially launched his much anticipated[by whom?] candidacy for Governor of Delaware, setting up a primary with Lt. Governor John Carney. Markell shattered previous campaign records by raising 1.5 million dollars in contributions from almost 3000 individuals, including 750,000 dollars from himself, since June of 2007. According to campaign finance reports, Markell outspent his opponent by about 1.5 million dollars.

Beginning in the summer of 2007, Markell released 14 policy papers on issues ranging from energy, to health care, to education. The major difference between Markell and his primary opponent, Carney, was their plans for universal health care.[by whom?] Markell's plan has been described as completely universal, while his opponent was offering what he describes to be an "incremental approach."

University of Virginia political science professor Larry Sabato wrote on his nationally recognized website, Crystal Ball '08, that "Jack Markell appears to have the momentum for now as John Carney is stuck with the baggage of the Minner administration." Sabato goes on to cite "a poll [which] found Minner to be the 38th ranked governor in the nation, with a 42 percent approval rating and a 53 percent disapproval rating. Prior to Markell's announcement for Governor, Fairleigh Dickinson released a poll citing Markell's 55% approval rating compared to Carney's 47% approval rating.

Markell was endorsed by 21st Century Democrats and Democracy for America.[citation needed] In response to Carney's list of approximately 600 public supporters, Markell released a list of almost 3000 supporters.

Jack Markell won the primary election on September 9th by a 51/49 margin according to the unofficial results from the state department of elections. [1]

On November 4th, Markell won the general election for Governor of Delaware against Republican opponent William Swain "Bill" Lee by a margin of 68%-32%. [2]

[edit] Controversy and criticism

Markell was named as a defendant in a class action suit brought against Nextel by shareholders. The suit alleged that Markell and his co-defendants engaged in fraud and mismanagement, resulting in substantial loss to the shareholders.[3] The parties stipulated to a $27 million settlement on February 17, 2000.[4]

[edit] Almanac

Elections are held the first Tuesday after November 1st. The State Treasurer takes office the third Tuesday of January and has a four year term.

Public Offices
Office Type Location Elected Term began Term ended notes
State Treasurer Executive Dover 1998 January 16, 1999 January 18, 2003
State Treasurer Executive Dover 2002 January 18, 2003 January 16, 2007
State Treasurer Executive Dover 2006 January 16, 2007 January 18, 2011


Election results
Year Office Election Subject Party Votes % Opponent Party Votes %
1998 State Treasurer General Jack A. Markell Democratic 103,407 58% Janet C. Rzewnicki Republican 74,633 42%
2002 State Treasurer General Jack A. Markell Democratic 147,390 66% Ronald G. Poliquin Republican 75,344 34%
2006 State Treasurer General Jack A. Markell Democratic 174,382 70.5% Esthelda R. Parker-Selby Republican 73,003 29.5%
2008 State Governor General Jack A. Markell Democratic 266,858 67.5% William Lee Republican 126,660 32.0%

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ http://elections.delaware.gov/results/html/election.shtml
  2. ^ http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20081104/NEWS/81104092
  3. ^ In re Nextel Communications Securities Litig., C.A. 94-4213(MTB) (D. N.J., filed July 10, 1995); see also Naik, Gautam. "For Nextel, '94 was the Best and Worst of Times." Wall Street Journal. Jan. 3, 1995, at A14.
  4. ^ In re Nextel Communications Securities Litig., C.A. 94-4213(HAA), stipulation filed Feb. 17, 2000.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

[edit] Places with more information


v • d • e
Current State Treasurers of the United States
   
*No treasurer in this state; closest equivalent listed


v • d • e
Government of Delaware
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