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Mark John Grisanti is currently serving his second two-year term as an elected member of the New York State Senate. First elected to office in 2010, he was successful in his run for re-election in 2012.
Mark represents the 60th Senate District, which includes parts of the City of Buffalo as well as communities in both the Northtowns and the Southtowns areas of Western New York. He serves as chairman of the Environmental Conservation Committee and currently sits on the Finance, Cities, Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation, Higher Education, Infrastructure and Capital Investment, Insurance, Labor and Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs committees in the Senate, as well as the MS Legislative Alliance for the Senate.
Mark was born on October 21, 1964. He was raised in the City of Buffalo and is the youngest of six brothers and sisters. Mark graduated from Sweet Home High School and attended Canisius College, where he received his Bachelor’s of Arts degree in English. After finishing his undergraduate degree he received his Juris Doctorate from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Michigan. Throughout college he served as a member of the Student Bar Association, received numerous certificates and book awards and was also a member of the Entertainment Committee for the Bar Association and the Italian Law Society.After graduating from law school, Mark went on to work at his father’s law firm, a small business that his grandfather founded in 1921.
As a third generation attorney, Mark has worked at his family’s practice for nearly two decades. He first became interested in running for the New York State Senate when practicing law on the lower west side of Buffalo. Mark has distinguished himself as an attorney who stands for those who can’t necessarily defend themselves and his compassion for others lead to his pursuit of public office.During his first term in office, Mark was one of the most productive freshman senators in the New York State Senate, voting in favor of groundbreaking legislation like "UB 2020" and equality for all New York residents and helping approve the largest middle tax class cut in decades. The Senate has also passed three on-time budgets with no increases in taxes or fees while also eliminating billions in debt that was compiled prior to Mark taking office.
Mark is also a strong advocate of legislation that protects animals against abuse and supports many locally owned and operated small businesses in Western New York.Additionally, as chairman of the Environmental Conservation Committee, Mark has been the recipient of numerous awards, including being named a "Champion" of New York State's Environmental Protection Fund," an "Eco-Star" by the New York League of Conservation Voters, the William Hoyt Environmental Conservation Award and a three-time "Circle of Friends" award recipient from the New York State Farm Bureau.
Mark attends St. Rose Church and resides in North Buffalo with his wife, Maria, and three children, Ashlee, John, and Theresa. He is a member of numerous organizations for his interests both personally and professionally, including the Erie County Bar Association, the Delaware Club, the Italian-American Police Association, the Assigned Counsel Program, the Volunteer Lawyers Project, the New York State Troopers Association, the Buffalo Police Benevolent Association, and the Police Athletic League.Mark is also a longtime contributor and supporter to St. Rose of Lima Church, St. Anthony of Padua Church and the Canisius College Alumni Association. He has received certificates of appreciation from the Erie County Bar Association, the American Heart Association, BornHava, and Roswell Park Cancer InstituteA passionate fan of the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres, Mark enjoys interacting with his constituents at various community events and spending time with his family and close friends.