Jack Markell

Jack Markell
Born	(1960-11-26) November 26, 1960 Newark, Delaware, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Politician, diplomat
Years active	1982–present
Known for	73rd Governor of Delaware; U.S. Ambassador to Italy and San Marino; U.S. Ambassador to the OECD

Jack Alan Markell (born November 26, 1960) is an American political figure and diplomat currently serving as the United States ambassador to Italy and San Marino. Before this role, he was the U.S. ambassador to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and held the office of Delaware’s 73rd governor from 2009 through 2017. Markell is affiliated with the Democratic Party.

Markell held the position of Delaware’s state treasurer for three consecutive terms between 1999 and 2009. Following Governor Ruth Ann Minner’s term limit, Markell pursued the governorship, securing a victory over Lieutenant Governor John Carney with 51% in the Democratic primary, then winning the 2008 general election against Republican Bill Lee with 67%, becoming Delaware's first Jewish governor. He secured a second term in 2012 with a winning margin surpassing 40%.

On May 12, 2023, President Joe Biden nominated Markell to serve as U.S. ambassador to Italy and San Marino, a nomination confirmed by the Senate on July 27, 2023.

Early life and education

Born in Newark, Delaware, Markell is the son of Elaine "Leni," a social worker, and William Markell, who taught accounting at the University of Delaware. He completed his studies at Newark High School and participated in Camp Galil, affiliated with the Labor Zionist youth movement Habonim Dror. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and development studies from Brown University and later earned an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

Early career

Markell began his professional journey in banking at First Chicago Corporation in 1982 before transitioning to consulting at McKinsey & Company in 1986. From 1989 to 1995, he served as senior vice president for corporate development at Fleet Call—renamed Nextel Communications, a brand he named—where as the company’s 13th employee he contributed significantly to Nextel’s expansion during the wireless telecommunications surge of the 1990s. Following this period, he worked as a senior manager at Comcast Corporation between 1996 and 1998.

Delaware state treasurer

Elected in 1998, Markell unseated Janet Rzewnicki, a Republican who had served four terms as Delaware’s state treasurer, and was subsequently re-elected in both 2002 and 2006.

During his tenure as treasurer, he introduced multiple personal financial education programs under the umbrella of "Financial Literacy initiatives," including the "Delaware Money School," which provides complimentary courses on saving for college and retirement planning. He also launched the "Delaware Bank at School Program," collaborating with the University of Delaware’s Center for Economic Education and Entrepreneurship alongside local banks to educate young people about financial management.

In 2001, Governor Ruth Ann Minner appointed Markell to lead an information services task force aimed at enhancing state IT governance. The following year, he directed efforts to optimize procurement processes by applying advanced purchasing strategies. Furthermore, he championed the "Health Rewards" program, offering Delaware state employees health evaluations, benchmarking insights, and guidance for improvement.

2008

Markell initiated his gubernatorial campaign on June 6, 2007, entering a primary contest against Lieutenant Governor John Carney. Throughout 2007, he issued fourteen policy documents addressing energy, healthcare, and education issues. Although initially lagging in polls and endorsements—with Carney receiving support from the Delaware Democratic Party—Markell gained traction by mobilizing grassroots organizations such as the Young Democrats Movement.

In a surprising outcome, Markell narrowly secured the Democratic primary with 51.2% of the vote. During the general election, he decisively defeated Bill Lee, a former judge and twice Republican nominee, capturing 67% of the vote.

2012

Markell won re-election on November 6, 2012, overcoming Republican challenger Jeff Cragg by nearly a 40-point margin.

First term

Inauguration

Markell’s 2009 swearing-in took place at midnight to comply with constitutional requirements and to allow Delawareans to witness the historic inauguration of President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden later that day. A traditional public ceremony was held subsequently on Legislative Mall in Dover.

Budget

Upon assuming office, Markell confronted an $800 million budget shortfall. Early measures included a voluntary 20% reduction in his own salary. His budget proposal in March 2009 avoided layoffs by implementing an 8% pay reduction for state employees, legalizing and taxing sports betting, cutting over $200 million in expenditures, and increasing revenues through taxes on liquor and tobacco. Although initially met with opposition, legislation legalizing sports betting passed in May 2009; however, subsequent court rulings curtailed betting options, reducing expected revenues.

After intense negotiations that extended into the early morning hours, a compromise budget was signed at 4 AM on July 1, preventing a government shutdown. The fiscal year 2011 budget prioritized job growth and economic development while reducing state workforce numbers by 1,026 compared to 2009 and trimming $50 million in overall spending.

Environment

Markell enacted energy policies aimed at lowering energy consumption by 15% by 2015, revising building codes to support efficiency, and encouraging renewable energy expansion. He implemented a recycling initiative requiring waste collectors to provide biweekly curbside pickup and passed clean energy legislation mandating utilities to obtain 25% of their power from renewable sources, promoting shared solar projects and smaller-scale green energy developments.

LGBT rights

In July 2009, Markell approved laws prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation in housing, insurance, public accommodations, and employment sectors. In May 2011, he signed civil union legislation set to take effect in January 2012.

Education

Markell pursued education reforms including the elimination of the Delaware Student Testing Program, introduction of pilot incentive programs rewarding school improvement, and enhancement of transparency and autonomy within school districts. He also facilitated the University of Delaware’s purchase of the Newark Chrysler plant to establish a research campus focused on innovation and employment growth.

In March 2010, Delaware secured a federal grant for pioneering education reform efforts, qualifying for up to $119 million dedicated to improving underperforming schools, refining student assessment systems, and elevating educator quality.

State economy

Facing increasing unemployment rates and declining revenues, Markell introduced economic initiatives such as the LIFT Program designed to assist small businesses. After General Motors closed its plant in July 2009, Markell successfully attracted Fisker Automotive to revive the facility with an investment of $175 million expected to generate roughly 2,500 jobs centered on hybrid vehicle manufacturing for both domestic consumption and export.

When Valero announced plans to shut down its Delaware City Refinery in 2010, Markell facilitated its acquisition by PBF Energy. The refinery resumed operations in 2011 under agreements providing economic incentives contingent upon sustaining 600 full-time positions.

During Markell’s administration, Sallie Mae relocated its headquarters to Delaware with projections of adding up to 1,500 jobs over five years. The Delaware Strategic Fund also played a role in attracting companies such as Sanosil International and Testing Machines Inc.

In June 2010, Markell enacted the Business Finder's Fee Tax Credit ("BFF") legislation aimed at encouraging job creation by rewarding community efforts that successfully attract new businesses.

Second term

Budget and economy

Throughout Markell's second tenure, Delaware grappled with budget deficits amid a sluggish nationwide economic rebound. For the 2014 fiscal year, he recommended prolonging certain revenue measures introduced in 2009 while implementing tax rate reductions where possible. In March 2013, he enacted legislation to preserve existing tax rates and finalized the complete budget by July 1 of that year.

Facing a $139 million deficit for 2015, Markell's budget plan incorporated selective tax hikes on LLC registrations and the corporate franchise tax, coupled with expenditure reductions. To foster employment growth and enhance infrastructure, he proposed a $500 million transportation plan financed by increasing the gas tax by ten cents per gallon.

LGBT rights

In May 2013, Markell approved legislation that legalized same-sex marriage, positioning Delaware as the eleventh state to enact such laws. Soon after, he signed statutes prohibiting discrimination against transgender individuals in areas including employment, housing, insurance coverage, public accommodations, and public works projects.

Campaign finance

Acting on suggestions from a legislative task force and findings from a special prosecutor’s investigation, Markell co-sponsored six bills designed to combat corruption and reinforce campaign finance regulations. These laws expanded investigative authorities, broadened disclosure mandates, and offered protections for whistleblowers reporting violations.

Gun control

In response to national concerns about gun violence following the Sandy Hook tragedy, Markell and Attorney General Beau Biden introduced five legislative proposals focused on firearm regulation. The initiatives included requirements for reporting lost or stolen guns, bans on specific assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, universal background checks, mental health considerations in licensing procedures, and restrictions on firearms near educational institutions. By July 2013, laws mandating reporting of lost or stolen firearms and universal background checks were enacted. However, a bill preventing firearm sales to individuals with serious mental health conditions failed to pass in the state senate despite strong support in the House.

Environment

In March 2014, Markell put forward an $800 million plan aimed at improving Delaware’s water quality. Funded through loans and a modest water usage fee averaging $45 annually per household, this initiative sought to enhance waterways for recreational fishing, swimming safety, and drinking water standards.

Minimum wage

Responding to President Obama’s call for raising wages, Markell signed legislation in March 2014 that increased Delaware’s minimum wage to $8.25 per hour. This adjustment positively affected roughly 40,000 workers—approximately one-tenth of the state’s workforce.

Education

Markell initiated the World Language Expansion Initiative to introduce Mandarin and Spanish immersion programs for students in kindergarten through eighth grade, anticipating enrollment of 10,000 by 2022. For his advocacy of language education through this program, he received the Foreign Language Advocacy Award in 2013. In August 2014, he enacted House Bill 340 requiring schools to update emergency preparedness plans as part of a broad school safety effort.

Campaign finance violations

In December 2013, special prosecutor E. Norman Veasey issued a comprehensive 101-page report uncovering that certain donors exceeded legal contribution limits across multiple state campaigns, including Markell’s 2008 gubernatorial race. The investigation disclosed that Markell’s personal emails provided guidance to contributors regarding campaign finance boundaries—information which some donors exploited to surpass legal thresholds. Although evidence indicated that the campaign accepted funds beyond permitted limits—often concealed within spreadsheet formats—Veasey refrained from filing charges against officials due to expired statutes of limitations and determined there was "no credible evidence" suggesting intentional misconduct by Markell’s campaign. Nevertheless, several donors pled guilty for their roles in these violations.

Presidential politics

Following his victory in the 2008 election, Markell served as chair for both the Democratic Governors Association and the National Governors Association. He secured re-election with a historic margin surpassing 40%, elevating his prominence on the national stage and prompting discussions about a potential 2016 Democratic presidential campaign, which he ultimately chose not to pursue. Although he showed interest in the possibility, Markell publicly endorsed Joe Biden should he decide to run.

JAM Trail

In 2018, the 5.5-mile Jack A. Markell (JAM) bike trail was named in his honor, transforming a disused railroad corridor into a route linking Wilmington Riverfront with Battery Park in New Castle. This trail features paved paths, boardwalks, bridges, seating areas, a bicycle repair station, and scenic views of the Christiana River tidal marshes. It forms part of the larger East Coast Greenway network.

Operation Allies Refuge

Markell was designated as the White House coordinator for Operation Allies Welcome in 2021, managing civilian initiatives to assist Afghan refugees relocating to the United States during Operation Allies Refuge.

Ambassador to OECD

President Joe Biden nominated Markell on June 23, 2021, to serve as U.S. ambassador to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. After Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearings on September 28 and a positive committee report on October 19, his confirmation was secured by a Senate voice vote on December 18, 2021. Markell officially took office on January 14, 2022, and formally presented his credentials to OECD Secretary General Mathias Cormann on February 11, 2022.

Ambassador to Italy

On May 12, 2023, President Biden put forward Markell's nomination as U.S. ambassador to Italy and San Marino. His confirmation hearings before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee took place on June 21, 2023; the committee gave a favorable recommendation on July 13. The full Senate confirmed him by voice vote on July 27, 2023. He delivered his credentials to Italian President Sergio Mattarella on September 23, 2023.

Personal life

Markell is married to Carla Smathers and together they have two children. On November 16, 2013, the couple appeared in a performance of A. R. Gurney's play Love Letters at a Delaware Theater Company fundraiser held in Wilmington.

Electoral history

Treasurer of Delaware

Governor of Delaware

References

Notes

Citations

• The News Journal. Markell leads Carney in campaign funds

External links

• Official website of Delaware Governor Jack Markell

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-