Mark Green

Mark Green co-founded the Democracy Project in June 1970, a public interest organization focused on advancing democratic values and encouraging greater civic engagement in the political process. The organization aimed to tackle key social issues by promoting informed public discourse and facilitating citizen involvement. Green's leadership in the Democracy Project was pivotal in shaping his perspective as a public advocate and reformer.

In September 1981, Mark Green began his role at Public Citizen, a nonprofit consumer advocacy organization founded by Ralph Nader. Green worked on a range of issues, including consumer rights and government transparency. His tenure at Public Citizen was characterized by his commitment to public interest law and his development of strategies to promote accountability and reform in government and corporate practices.

On June 15, 1984, Mark Green married Deni Frand. The marriage marked a personal milestone for Green, who had already established a significant presence in New York politics. Deni Frand was a New York public relations executive, and together they have been involved in various civic and advocacy efforts. Their partnership has been noted for mutual support in both personal and public life.

In the 1990 United States Senate election in New York, Mark Green was the Democratic candidate who ran against the incumbent Republican Senator Al D'Amato. Despite a hard-fought campaign, Green lost the election held on November 6, 1990. The election garnered significant attention due to the contrast between Green's progressive platform and D'Amato's conservative stance, and was a pivotal early moment in Green's political career.

Mark Green was appointed as the Commissioner of Consumer Affairs of New York City on June 23, 1993, by then-Mayor David Dinkins. In this role, Green was responsible for overseeing the protection of consumer rights in New York City, acting as an advocate for citizens in their interactions with businesses. His tenure was marked by efforts to curb fraudulent business practices and improve consumer protection policies.

Mark Green was elected as the first-ever Public Advocate for New York City on November 8, 1994, a position created under the new city charter. As Public Advocate, Green was the second-highest ranking official in the New York City government and served as a city-wide ombudsman, tasked with investigating complaints about city services. He used his position to champion consumer rights and fight against discrimination.

On September 11, 2001, Mark Green, who was the New York City Public Advocate at the time, coordinated with other city officials in response to the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. He was an integral part of the immediate relief efforts and the rebuilding strategies that followed. His leadership and commitment to New York City's recovery were widely recognized during this critical time.

On November 6, 2001, Mark Green lost the New York City mayoral election to Republican candidate Michael Bloomberg. The election was held amidst the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, which had a significant impact on city politics and public opinion. The race was closely contested, and Green, despite strong showings in previous polls, ultimately fell short in a climate that favored Bloomberg's business and managerial experience.

January 1, 2002, marked the commencement of Mark Green's tenure as President of Air America Radio, a progressive talk radio network. Under his leadership, Air America sought to counter conservative voices in media by providing a liberal platform for discussion and debate. Green's vision was to energize progressive activism through radio broadcasting, although the network faced challenges in achieving financial stability.

On September 12, 2006, Mark Green participated in the Democratic primary for Attorney General of New York. Despite his previous political experience and recognition, Green was unable to secure the nomination, losing to Andrew Cuomo who later won the general election. This race was part of Green's continuous efforts to serve in state-level offices and reflected his continued influence in New York politics.

On July 16, 2009, Mark Green published his book 'Losing Our Democracy,' which explored the challenges facing American democracy, including growing partisanship, voter disenfranchisement, and the influence of money in politics. In the book, Green presented insights drawn from his extensive experience in politics and advocacy, urging reforms to protect and reinvigorate democratic institutions.