Eric Feliu

10/21/14

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Mark Danish: Not your ordinary politician

When people think of politicians, the first thing that comes to people’s minds is that they

are hard up for money and votes. That is partly true with District 63 Rep. Mark Danish (D-

Tampa), but not the complete picture by a long shot. “He always has good things to say- a decent

gentleman,” Exit Extreme Realty broker Frank Pruce said. “All around- he is super caring and

does all of his paperwork, with a touch of expertise, who never misses an opportunity to teach.”

Pruce continues to talk with Danish at every opportunity that he gets. Pruce exclaims “With all

of these ads, it’s what’s wrong with American politics and is definitely not representative of

Mark- I know him to be a good guy and his son is real nice as well.”

Danish, 60, has three children and two grandchildren. His background is complete middle

class with jobs such as: insurance agent, real estate agent, and school teacher. “Mark is a driven

man and is not one to work like a 9-to-5 worker,” said his uncle, Greg Olsen. Olsen is an

inventor, an astronaut, and highly decorated in the science community in the state of New Jersey.

Olsen said, “As for Mark and science, he just picked that up; it just happened he chose the same

field as me.” Olsen said, “he really wanted this political office- he fought hard and he personifies

the saying ‘don’t give up-never give up.’”

---------------------- Political Stories

Danish started his political career in 2012 and narrowly defeated Republican Shawn Harrison in

the General Election. “He represents his district,” Rep. Rick Stark (D- Pembroke Pines) and said.

“Danish is a right hand man for me and he is the only member of the Jewish House Caucus- not

Eric Feliu

10/21/14

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from South Florida (geographically speaking)” Stark added. Once again in 2014, it is a tight race

with Harrison and Danish and it will come down to every vote. “Things are so close up there in

Tampa- we just did a phone bank last weekend for Mark at my office in Broward County; he’s

got mailers against him and unbelievable money being thrown against him,” Stark said. Stark

and Danish are colleagues on the Regulatory Affairs Committee. Stark recalled a time where

Danish and he worked on a bill together and that was HB 185- Gasoline Stations. This bill was

intended to help disabled drivers if they needed assistance to pump their gas- they could call a

number posted on the gas pump for someone to help them. “Danish put his heart and soul into

his bill and we formed study groups with Dwight Dudley, Vic Torres of Orlando, and Jose Javier

Rodriguez of Miami,” Stark said. “The veterans were definitely for this, but just like almost

every bill in the House- the GOP took credit for it and changed up the language,” Stark said.

“Mark Danish- you can’t work harder than this guy, he is good to work with, no negative, and he

has a good relationship with his staff,” Stark said.

As for Danish’s challenger, Harrison, he had little to say about his opponent. “I am sure Mark is

a decent man, but I do not know him outside of politics,” Harrison said.

“His character is pretty good overall,” said Patrick Giambelluca, a volunteer to Danish’s 2012

campaign. About this cycle, Giambelluca said, “It would be a shame if he wasn’t re-elected

which may happen unfortunately.” Giambelluca recalls the time he first met Danish at a ticket

giveaway to President Barack Obama’s visit to HCC in the summer of 2012, “He was at

numerous Democratic events and a kind man to talk to- and why I decided to volunteer for his

campaign.”

Eric Feliu

10/21/14

JOU 4181

-------------- The man and the money

Danish and his wife, Linda, reside in New Tampa, near Benito Middle School and paid

$4,244.69 in property taxes for their New Tampa residence. Danish has a net worth of $221, 148

which includes pensions from the State as an elected official totaling $28,446.12 and a pension

as a school teacher with Hillsborough County for $21,098.90, according to Disclosure Form 6.

Danish is a fiscal conservative and it shows with his purchase of a 2002 Rav- 4 for $4,000 and a

2012 Chevy Malibu for $14,000. Mark and his spouse purchased their home in 2003 for

$201,300, according to property records.

The biggest contribution total came from The Democratic Party of Florida at a total of

$45,379.39 from 13 different contributions ranging from Sept. 27, 2013 to Sept. 20, 2014. The

gaming industry made their contribution to the campaign courtesy of the Palm Beach Kennel

Club totaling $1,500 one from their Tallahassee office for $1,000 and one for $500 from Palm

Beach, Gulfstream Park for $1,000 as well as Isle of Capri Casinos for $500.

Some of the most notable contributions are: $1,000 from the Yankees organization in Tampa, big

health care/pharmaceutical companies such as: Pfizer for $500, Walgreens for $1,000, and

Failed candidates from the Tampa Bay area who have contributed to Danish 2014

Nancy Jacobs $25- 2012- lost her bid to become a Circuit Court Judge

Betty Castor-$100- 2004-lost her bid to become a U.S. Senator

Alan Clendenin-$400-2013-lost his bid to become Florida Democratic Chairman

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Humana for $1,000. Danish even got the attention of Mickey in Lake Buena Vista with $2,500

donated to his camp

Mark Danish faces the same challenger he faced in 2012 and faces one of the toughest challenges

for a Florida House candidate- but there is one thing to say about the man, Stark said, “It

wouldn’t matter what party he is, whatever he is, Mark will represent his district 24 hours a day,

7 days a week.”

Unions and Organizations That support Danish and his re-election bid

Teamsters- $3,500

Firefighters- $2,500

IBEW- $2,000

AFL-CIO-$2,000

FEA- $1,500