Mark Gjonaj holds a Bachelor of Arts degree and has a background in real estate, having served as President of M P Realty Group Corp. He has also held a position on the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission. His professional experience includes managing institutional risk in high-finance, which he transitioned from before entering the public sector. Mark Gjonaj has been involved in controversies related to his opposition to certain urban development projects, including the siting of homeless shelters and mental health facilities in the Bronx.

Mark Gjonaj's political identity is marked by a localized approach to urban issues, particularly in the Bronx, where he has shown a willingness to leverage legal and public confrontation to protect his constituents' interests. His use of donor funds to sue the city over shelter locations indicates a highly localized, perhaps even parochial, strategy that prioritizes immediate neighborhood concerns over broader urban planning. This localized focus is further illustrated by his vocal opposition to bike infrastructure, suggesting a tension between progressive urban development and neighborhood preservation. Gjonaj's rhetorical style is confrontational, as seen in his public shaming of political opponents, revealing a willingness to engage in direct, sometimes provocative, political theater.