RUTHFULLY YOURS

Upon graduation, he remained in his home state and attended Central Connecticut State University in New Britain, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in History. He went on to receive his Master’s Degree from Western Connecticut State University in Danbury.

In 1983 Mark joined the infantry of the United States Army Reserve and served until 1989.

Mark went on to teach Social Studies at Danbury High School for fourteen years. A highly regarded educator, he has been, and continues to be, a leading advocate of quality education for all children.

Having always had a deep love for public service, Mark became a member of the City of Danbury’s Planning Commission while running a successful local cabinetry business.

Mark later went on to serve three years as Connecticut’s 138th District State Representative. During his time in Hartford, he achieved a perfect voting record in the General Assembly, where he was ranking member of the Environment Committee, as well as member of the Education Committee.

He is currently serving his fifth term as Mayor of Danbury, the longest-serving Republican Mayor in the city’s history. In his most recent 2009 election, he won with 65% of the votes cast.

Initially, Mark inherited a Democrat-dominated Common Council. Today, after building a solid Republican team with a 15-6 Republican-to-Democrat advantage, he has efficiently led this city of 80,000 residents.

Mark has made great strides in carrying “People Over Politics” as the core to his success. He has been committed to this philosophy and has evolved government at the municipal level into a bi-partisan form of governing.

Mark has dedicated himself to downsizing and reorganizing municipal government, practicing solid financial management, enacting a variety of new legislative initiatives, delivering new customer service tools (most noticeably its 311 system) to Danbury’s residents and drastically improved public safety. This year, Danbury was rated by CQ Press as the state’s safest city and 26th safest in the country.

Danbury also currently carries the lowest unemployment rate in the state.

In 2007 Mark was Governor M. Jodi Rell’s choice to lead the State’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Housing and Economic Development.

Mark is devoted to making Connecticut the “greatest place to live, work and be educated.” Mark is married to Phyllis Boughton, who is his biggest supporter. Phyllis is also the owner and manager of Connecticut Kitchen and Bath located in Danbury.