Mark O'Keefe (born July 10, 1952) is an American soldier and politician. He is a member of the Democratic Party.

Early life and career

Mark David O'Keefe was born in

Pittston, Pennsylvania Pittston is a city in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, United States. The city lies in the Wyoming Valley on the east side of the Susquehanna River and on the south side of the Lackawanna River. It is approximately midway between Wilkes-Barre, Pen ...

. In 1970, he graduated from Bishop Egan High School in

Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania Fairless Hills is a census-designated place (CDP) in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States. The CDP is located within Falls Township. The population was 9,046 at the 2020 census. That is up from 8,466 at the 2010 census. History Fairless ...

. O'Keefe served in the

United States Army The United States Army (USA) is the primary Land warfare, land service branch of the United States Department of Defense. It is designated as the Army of the United States in the United States Constitution.Article II, section 2, clause 1 of th ...

as a paratrooper from 1971 to 1973. In 1977, he received his bachelor's degree in environmental studies from

California State University, Sacramento California State University, Sacramento (CSUS, Sacramento State, or informally Sac State) is a public university in Sacramento, California, United States. Founded in 1947 as Sacramento State College, it is part of the California State Universit ...

and his master's degree in environmental studies from

University of Montana The University of Montana (UM) is a public research university in Missoula, Montana, United States. UM is a flagship institution of the Montana University System and its second largest campus. Fall 2024 saw total enrollment hit 10,811, marki ...

in 1984. O'Keefe worked for the Montana Department of Natural Resources. O'Keefe married Lucy Bliss Dayton, daughter of

Bruce Dayton Bruce Bliss Dayton (August 16, 1918 – November 13, 2015) was an American retail executive, businessman, heir to the Dayton's, Dayton's Company fortune, and philanthropist. Dayton was the last surviving member of the five Dayton brothers – ...

and great-granddaughter of George Dayton on September 24, 1983. O'Keefe lives with his wife and family in

Helena, Montana Helena (; ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital city of the U.S. state of Montana and the county seat, seat of Lewis and Clark County, Montana, Lewis and Clark County. Helena was founded as a gold camp during the Montana gold ...

. He was also a consultant concerning natural resources and politician campaigns.

Political career

O'Keefe served in the

Montana House of Representatives The Montana House of Representatives is, with the Montana Senate, one of the two houses of the Montana Legislature. Composed of 100 members, the House elects its leadership every two years. Composition of the House In the event that the parti ...

from 1988 to 1992 and was a Democrat. From 1992 to 2000, he served as Montana state auditor. In his run for auditor in 1992, he defeated Representative Fred Thomas, receiving 55% of the vote. In the November general election in 2000, O'Keefe ran for

governor of Montana A governor is an administrative leader and head of a polity or political region, in some cases, such as governors-general, as the head of a state's official representative. Depending on the type of political region or polity, a ''governor'' ma ...

against the Republican candidate

Judy Martz Judith Helen Martz (née Morstein; July 28, 1943 – October 30, 2017) was an American politician, businesswoman, and Olympian speed skater who served as the 22nd governor of Montana from 2001 to 2005. A member of the Republican Party, she was t ...

and lost the election to Martz.Montana Standard-Mark O'Keefe-biography
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References

{{DEFAULTSORT:OKeefe, Mark 1952 births Living people California State University, Sacramento alumni Democratic Party members of the Montana House of Representatives Military personnel from Pennsylvania People from Pittston, Pennsylvania Politicians from Helena, Montana University of Montana alumni 20th-century members of the Montana Legislature