Meet Democrat Mark Weinkrantz

Mark Weinkrantz: A Lifetime of Service and Leadership

Mark Weinkrantz embodies the American spirit of service, resilience, and dedication to community. Mark is a second-generation immigrant whose journey is marked by a deep commitment to his country and a tireless advocacy for the working class.

The story begins with Mark's grandparents, Morris and Becky Weinkrantz, who fled Poland in 1902 for the United States. They arrived at Ellis Island, New York, with dreams that hard work would offer them a better future. Mark's father, Milton, was born in 1925, and like many of his generation, he answered the call to duty during World War II. Milton's bravery on the beaches of Normandy and at the Battle of the Bulge, earned him two Purple Hearts, instilling in Mark a sense of duty, honor, and sacrifice.

Raised on Long Island, Mark learned the value of hard work and perseverance from his father. Bonding over shared interests such as competitive shooting, Mark and his father forged a strong connection rooted in mutual respect and the value of hard work.

Mark's journey took him to the University of Florida on an Air Force ROTC scholarship, where he pursued his passion for aviation and journalism. While balancing his studies, he worked as a DJ for local radio stations and worked odd jobs across the university community. Mark's determination paid off, and he graduated in 1979 with a degree in Broadcast Journalism.

Following graduation, Mark embarked on a distinguished career in the United States Air Force. From instructed on supersonic T-38s and transitioned to flying KC-135 tankers. Mark's service took him to bases across the country, including Castle Air Force Base in California, where his daughter Jessica was born and deployments to Guam and Alaska. His son Matthew was born three years later in Dunedin. His dedication to duty saw him spending significant time away from his family, driven by a strong desire to serve his country.

After seven years of honorable service, Mark transitioned to a career as a commercial pilot, joining Northwest Airlines in 1987. Over the next three decades, he flew countless passengers safely to their destinations, embodying professionalism and dedication.

In addition to his aviation career, Mark found success as an entrepreneur, founding Counter Productive Enterprises and launching the popular Gator Vertigo and Gator Squeezins hot sauce brands.

Mark's commitment to public service extended beyond his professional endeavors. Elected to the East Lake Fire Commission in 2010, he served as Chairman, advocating for community safety and spearheading initiatives to benefit local residents. His philanthropy extended to organizations such as the YMCA, where he donated his entire salary to purchase playground equipment.

Throughout his life, Mark has been a dedicated mentor and leader, serving on numerous boards and volunteering his time to mentor children in Pinellas schools. His contributions have been recognized with awards such as Mentor of the Year in 2022. His commitment to those students continues today, even as he campaigns for Congress, he consistently meets with each of his 10 mentees.

A member of Temple Ahavot Shalom for 25 years, Mark continues to be a pillar of his community, advocating for positive change and embodying the values of service, integrity, and compassion.

In his campaign for Congress, Mark Weinkrantz brings a lifetime of experience and a steadfast commitment to representing the interests of working families. With his proven leadership and unwavering dedication, he is poised to make a difference for the people of his district and beyond. Mark was recruited to serve on numerous boards. His reputation for finding solutions to complicated problems made him a sought-after resource. He’s served on boards such as 2020 Redistricting Board, Leadership Pinellas, Education Foundation, and Creative Pinellas. He originated and chaired the East Lake Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), the most successful independent CERT in the state. He is a retired member of the Airline Pilots Association International.