Mark Benoit

Mark Benoit began his political career in 1987, working on the Reverend Jesse Jackson’s presidential campaign. Since then Mark has worked as campaign manager, senior staffer or consultant on 36 campaigns - from presidential to judicial - in New York, California, Nevada (working for then-Minority Whip Harry Reid), Washington D.C., and Florida.

Mark has written, directed and produced television spots, created direct mail campaigns and once, during the New York State governor’s race in 1998, repaired the toilet in the women’s restroom at campaign headquarters.

In New York, Mark worked on both NYC mayoral campaigns for David N. Dinkins, Geraldine Ferraro’s 1992 U.S. Senate bid, managed Catherine Abate’s successful 1994 State Senate campaign, was senior staffer on the 1996 New York State Coordinated Campaign (with current NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio), managed Mark Green’s successful re-election campaign for NYC Public Advocate (office next-in-line to mayor), worked as deputy campaign manager (and plumber) on Peter Vallone’s run for governor, managed Betsy Gotbaum’s big win in the 2001 campaign for Public Advocate, was NYS Director for Wesley Clark’s 2004 presidential campaign, served as Congressman Anthony Weiner’s campaign manager on his 2005 mayoral bid, and managed NYS Comptroller Tom DiNapoli’s campaign, producing a win in 2010 despite being outspent three-to-one by the Republican opponent.

In Nevada, Mark consulted on 16 campaigns, helping put 14 of them in the win column, including Clark County Civil Court Judge Jackie Glass in 2002 (O.J. Simpson trial judge). He was also finance director for the Gore/Lieberman Nevada State coordinated campaign in 2000.

Mark has worked on four presidential campaigns: Jackson 1988, Clinton/Gore 1996, Gore/Lieberman 2000, and Wesley Clark 2004. Mark has also served as Director of Scheduling for NYC Mayor Dinkins, and Chief of Staff for NYC Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum.

The holder of three black belts in martial arts disciplines, Mark spends his off time trying to achieve a Zen-like state of mosquito-freeness in the backyard of his home in Sarasota, Florida.