Political Career
Markowitz began his public service career in 1971, at the age of 26, by forming the Flatbush Tenants Council in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Flatbush. The organization grew into Brooklyn Housing and Family Services, which is the largest tenants advocacy organization operating in New York State today .
He was elected to the State Senate in 1978, and spent over two decades as a New York State Senator for Brooklyn. During his time as a state senator, he was known for creating a series of oceanfront concerts and other festivals rather than drafting legislation.
Markowitz first ran for Borough President in 1985, but failed to unseat the incumbent Howard Golden. Markowitz subsequently pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor for failing to disclose a campaign contribution; he was fined and performed community service.
Markowitz was elected to the borough presidency in 2001, as the Democratic candidate.
Markowitz was re-elected on November 8, 2005, with 79% of the vote, compared to 13% for Republican challenger Theodore Alatsas, and 7% for Gloria Mattera, the Green Party candidate. In the 2005 New York City mayoral election, Markowitz endorsed Republican incumbent Michael Bloomberg, as did many other Democrats including Ed Koch.
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