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Mark Jay Meckler (born March 10, 1962) is an American political activist, attorney, and business executive.[1] He currently serves as President of Citizens for Self-Governance and Convention of States Action,[2][3] and is an active proponent of a convention to propose amendments to the United States Constitution. Meckler was a co-founder of the Tea Party Patriots before resigning from the organization in 2012. From February through May 2021, Meckler served as the interim CEO of social media platform Parler.[4]

Key Information

Early life, education, and early career

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Meckler was born in Southern California and grew up in Northridge, in the San Fernando Valley.[5][6] He obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from San Diego State University, and in 1988 he received a J.D. degree from the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law.[7]

In the early 1990s, he moved to Nevada County, California, where he and his wife opened a coffeehouse in Nevada City. After selling the cafe in 1997, he started a company that made equipment for the snow-skiing industry.[8][5][9] For several years Meckler and his wife also worked together as distributors for Herbalife, where they qualified for the "president's team" of top sellers.[10][11] Meckler next established a law practice focused on business law. He eventually specialized in Internet advertising law and worked as counsel for Unique Leads and Unique Lists, two closely related online marketing operations. In 2007, he worked with Opt-In Movement to create a list-generation firm that catered to political campaigns.[10][12]

Political activism

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Tea Party movement

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Following a call for protests from CNBC Business News editor Rick Santelli and others, Meckler and his family began promoting the idea of a Tea Party protest in Sacramento, California, on February 27, 2009. They arrived at the planned protest location with homemade signs, but without an event permit, which they had to apply for on the spot. Approximately 150 people participated, and Meckler began planning further protests, which led him to make contact with other activists in the burgeoning Tea Party movement.[8] Meckler co-founded the Tea Party Patriots organization in March 2009, along with Rob Neppell, Jenny Beth Martin and Amy Kremer.[13] The organization became one of the largest in the Tea Party movement.[14]

As a spokesperson for the Tea Party Patriots, Meckler was often quoted by journalists in articles about the Tea Party movement.[15] Meckler was outspoken about the Tea Party being a grassroots movement and independent from traditional political parties. He said the movement was "neither left nor right", but consisted of "people of common sense who coalesce around the principles of fiscal responsibility, constitutionally limited government and free markets."[5] He criticized the Tea Party Express organization for being too closely aligned with the Republican Party.[16] Meckler condemned radio personality Mark Williams, then chairman of the Tea Party Express, as "vile" and "racist" after Williams made blog posts about the NAACP that were criticized as racially insensitive.[17]

Meckler and Martin co-authored a book, Tea Party Patriots: The Second American Revolution, which was published in February 2012.[18] Shortly after the book was published, Meckler resigned from the Tea Party Patriots, citing differences with Martin and other board members over how the organization was being managed.[19] On The Dylan Ratigan Show, Meckler said, "The organization had been doing things that associated it with the Republican party. I'm not a Republican, and a large number of people in the Tea Party movement—40%—aren't Republicans. So when they sponsored the Southern Republican Leadership Conference to the tune of $250,000, really it was kind of the final blow for me."[20]

In September 2015, Meckler wrote an article for The Hill noting his satisfaction with Republican John Boehner's resignation from his position as Speaker of the United States House of Representatives. Meckler wrote that "Boehner had a long history of selling out the American people" and "America deserves better."[21]

Citizens for Self-Governance

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Meckler founded the organization Citizens for Self-Governance (CSG) to "focus on broadening the philosophical reach of the idea of 'self-governance' outside of the Tea Party movement".[22][23] In April 2012, Meckler became an adviser to the Campaign for Primary Accountability, a SuperPAC.[24]

Through his work with CSG, Meckler has helped to file a class action lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service, alleging violations under the Privacy Act as well as violations of constitutional rights guaranteeing free expression and equal protection under the law. The lawsuit stemmed from IRS targeting of conservative groups for more scrutiny as they applied for tax-exempt status.[25][26] In March 2016, a three-judge panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit made a unanimous ruling rebuking the IRS and giving the agency two weeks to produce the names of organizations it targeted based on their political leanings.[27]

Meckler has also been an active proponent of a convention to propose amendments to the United States Constitution.[28]

After Marco Rubio endorsed CSG's plans for a convention of states to propose amendments, Meckler said he was glad to see the Convention of States Project "enter the mainstream of presidential politics."[29][30]

In September 2016, CSG held a simulated convention to propose amendments to the United States Constitution in Williamsburg, Virginia.[31] Of the simulation, Meckler said: "People from all states gathered, proposed six amendments and ran a simulated convention. It has never been done before in American history. The point was proof of concept." Meckler said an Article V convention would have three focuses, including imposing financial restraints on the federal government, limiting the power and jurisdiction of the federal government, and imposing term limits on officials and members of Congress.[32]

Parler

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Meckler sits on the executive committee of Parler,[33] an American alt-tech microblogging and social networking service popular with supporters of former President Donald Trump.[34] On February 15, 2021, Parler announced that Meckler was interim CEO of the company, after the board fired the previous CEO and Parler founder John Matze.[4] George Farmer took over Parler from Meckler in May 2021.[35]

Personal life

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Meckler is married and has two children.[22]

In December 2011, Meckler attempted to check in a hand gun prior to a flight departing from New York's LaGuardia Airport. He was arrested and charged with second degree criminal possession of a weapon. Meckler had a permit to carry the gun in California, but it was not valid under the gun laws in New York. Meckler was released following arraignment. A spokesman for the Port Authority Police said Meckler "had a misunderstanding of the law. He had a permit to carry in California." An attorney for Meckler said Meckler was "in temporary transit" through New York and the gun was "lawful" and in a safe approved by the Transportation Security Administration.[36] After the incident, Meckler said he believed his constitutional rights had been violated.[37][38][39] Meckler paid a $250 fine and his gun was destroyed.[40]

See also

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Mark Meckler

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Mark Meckler (born March 10, 1962) is an American attorney and conservative political activist best known for co-founding the Tea Party Patriots and leading the Convention of States Action to advocate for an Article V convention aimed at curtailing federal overreach. After earning a B.A. from and a J.D. from the University of the Pacific's in 1988, Meckler practiced law for two decades, specializing in , before entering political activism. In 2009, he co-founded the Tea Party Patriots, the largest grassroots Tea Party organization, and served as its national coordinator until resigning in 2012 to focus on broader constitutional reforms through Citizens for . As president and co-founder of Convention of States Action since 2013, Meckler has built a movement with millions of supporters, securing legislative resolutions for a limited Article V convention in nineteen states to propose amendments enforcing fiscal restraints, limiting federal authority, and imposing term limits on and bureaucrats. His efforts also included serving as interim CEO of the social media platform in 2021 amid its challenges following by major tech providers.

Early Life and Pre-Political Career

Early Life and Education

Mark Meckler was born in 1962 and raised in a secular Jewish household that emphasized ethical values without religious observance or belief in God. He attended , where he earned a degree. Following his undergraduate studies, Meckler pursued legal education at the University of the Pacific's , obtaining his degree. Mark Meckler established a legal practice in Grass Valley, , focusing initially on law before specializing in internet advertising and . As an attorney licensed by the California State Bar (license number 137880), he provided counsel on matters related to online marketing and data practices, reflecting his expertise in emerging digital legal issues during the early 2000s. Meckler's law faced suspension by the State Bar from 2001 to 2006 for nonpayment of fees and failure to complete mandatory requirements, after which it was reinstated, allowing him to resume practice. In parallel with his legal work, Meckler operated an marketing business that developed strategies for building email lists, including services targeted at Republican political candidates to enhance outreach and efforts. This venture leveraged his knowledge of digital advertising regulations, positioning him as an entrepreneur in the niche of political and commercial list-building prior to his involvement in organized activism.

Entry into Political Activism

Origins in the Tea Party Movement

Mark Meckler, a attorney based in Nevada City, entered the Tea Party movement in early 2009 amid rising public discontent with federal bailouts and expanding government intervention following the . The movement gained momentum after commentator Rick Santelli's February 19, 2009, on-air critique of housing subsidies, which called for a modern "tea party" protest and spurred nationwide rallies emphasizing and . Meckler, previously known locally for owning the Cafe Mekka and lacking extensive political experience, leveraged his background in internet marketing to connect with emerging activists. In March 2009, Meckler co-founded the Tea Party Patriots alongside Jenny Beth Martin, an unemployed Georgia mother, and , aiming to serve as a non-partisan hub for coordinating the decentralized, grassroots efforts of local Tea Party groups across the . The organization distinguished itself by rejecting top-down control and corporate influence, focusing instead on three core principles: fiscal responsibility, constitutionally , and free markets, which resonated with participants frustrated by the $700 billion and subsequent stimulus measures. Meckler's role in the founding positioned him as a key figure in scaling the movement's online presence and unifying disparate protests into a national network, with Tea Party Patriots claiming affiliation with over 1,000 local chapters by mid-2009. This early involvement marked Meckler's transition from business ventures to political organizing, where his emphasis on bottom-up activism helped channel public anger into structured opposition against perceived overreach by the Obama administration and congressional Republicans alike. By facilitating virtual town halls and email campaigns, he contributed to the movement's rapid growth, which saw Tea Party-affiliated candidates win dozens of Republican primaries in 2010, though the group's aversion to establishment endorsements sometimes strained relations with party insiders.

Leadership of Tea Party Patriots

Mark Meckler co-founded Tea Party Patriots in 2009 with Jenny Beth Martin and , establishing it as a prominent grassroots organization within the Tea Party movement. As national coordinator, Meckler focused on promoting core principles of fiscal responsibility, , and free markets, emphasizing decentralized, community-driven activism over centralized control. Under his leadership, the group co-sponsored major events such as the September 12, 2009, march on Washington, which drew hundreds of thousands of participants protesting and expansion. During the 2010 midterm elections, Tea Party Patriots, guided by Meckler, mobilized activists to support conservative candidates, contributing to significant Republican gains including the recapture of the House majority and numerous state legislative seats. The organization grew rapidly, claiming affiliation with thousands of local groups and millions of supporters by 2010. Meckler co-authored Tea Party Patriots: The Second American Revolution with Martin in 2012, chronicling the movement's origins and strategies as a response to perceived federal overreach. Meckler's tenure ended with his resignation on February 24, , amid internal disagreements over the group's direction, including concerns that it was drifting from its foundations toward more hierarchical structures. He cited a loss of influence in board decisions, particularly regarding authority allocated to Martin, as a key factor in his departure. This exit occurred shortly after Meckler pleaded guilty to in January for an incident at in December 2011, where authorities discovered an unloaded firearm in his checked luggage, leading to criticism of New York City's strict gun laws.

Development of Constitutional Reform Efforts

Founding Citizens for Self-Governance

Mark Meckler founded Citizens for Self-Governance (CSG), a , in 2012 shortly after resigning as national coordinator of the Tea Party Patriots. The establishment of CSG marked Meckler's shift toward institutionalizing a broader agenda, emphasizing citizen over centralized federal authority, with initial efforts centered on philosophical and educational outreach rather than direct political mobilization. CSG's core mission, as outlined in its operational filings and public statements, is to deliver communication, education, and training on principles, equipping citizens with tools to reclaim decision-making from distant bureaucracies. This includes promoting active citizen participation in governance structures, particularly through constitutional mechanisms like Article V, which allows states to propose amendments bypassing . Meckler, serving as president and CEO, positioned CSG to recruit, train, and motivate networks advocating for state sovereignty and federal restraint, drawing on empirical observations of expanding national debt and regulatory overreach as catalysts for reform. Under Meckler's leadership, CSG quickly expanded to encompass sub-initiatives, functioning as the parent entity for the Convention of States Project, co-founded with Michael Farris in August 2013. This project operationalizes CSG's founding goals by pursuing state applications for an Article V convention aimed at amendments imposing fiscal limits on federal spending, congressional term restrictions, and curbs on bureaucratic power. By 2015, CSG had launched nationwide campaigns integrating litigation, such as challenges to federal overreach, and mentoring programs to build capacity, reflecting a strategic focus on long-term structural change over short-term electoral gains.

Convention of States Project: Goals and Strategy

The Convention of States Project, co-founded by Mark Meckler in 2013 through Citizens for , aims to invoke Article V of the U.S. to convene a limited convention of states for proposing amendments that address federal overreach. Its core objectives focus on three specific categories of reforms: imposing fiscal restraints on the federal government, such as requirements for balanced budgets or debt limits; restricting the scope of federal power and jurisdiction to those enumerated in the ; and establishing term limits for members of and other federal officials. These goals stem from Meckler's assessment that the federal government has exceeded its constitutional bounds, necessitating state-initiated clarifications rather than reliance on , which he views as unlikely to self-limit. The project's strategy emphasizes a state-by-state legislative approach, requiring resolutions from 34 state legislatures—two-thirds of the total—to trigger the convention, with each resolution explicitly limited to the three reform categories to prevent . Meckler has prioritized building a decentralized network of over 3 million volunteers and activists organized into state action teams, who conduct legislative , public campaigns, and district-level to secure passage of these resolutions. This grassroots model draws from Meckler's experience in the Tea Party movement, focusing on training volunteers in tactics like phone banking, letter-writing drives, and direct meetings with lawmakers to build momentum without depending on federal courts or elections. To ensure the convention remains controlled, the strategy includes pre-convention planning for state selection and voting rules, advocating for state legislatures to appoint delegates bound by the resolution's limits, with potential mechanisms like or for non-compliance. Meckler has articulated that success hinges on achieving a "political and spiritual awakening" among citizens to foster , integrating motivational training and aspirational goals like inspiring widespread beyond mere legislative wins. This approach contrasts with single-issue Article V campaigns by broadening appeal across , , and sentiments to accelerate state adoptions.

Achievements in State-Level Advocacy

Under Meckler's leadership as co-founder and president of Convention of States Action, the organization has secured passage of Article V convention applications in 19 state legislatures, advocating for amendments imposing fiscal restraints on the federal government, limiting its power and jurisdiction, and establishing term limits for federal officials. These resolutions specify a limited scope to prevent a general constitutional rewrite, aligning with the project's strategy of mobilization and targeted legislative in state capitals. The campaign began successfully in 2014, with Georgia adopting the resolution on March 6, followed by on April 19 and on April 21, marking early momentum in southern and western states. By 2017, eight additional states had joined, including (April 26, 2016), (May 4, 2017), and (May 12, 2017), demonstrating expansion into the Midwest and Plains regions through coordinated volunteer efforts and testimony before state committees. Passages continued at a slower pace amid opposition, with five states adopting between 2019 and 2022: (February 14, 2019), (March 5, 2019), (March 27, 2019), and in 2022, (January 25), (January 28), (March 4), and (March 29). As of October 2025, no further adoptions have occurred, though active bills persist in over 20 states, reflecting sustained state-level pressure toward the 34-state threshold required to convene.
StatePassage Date
GeorgiaMarch 6, 2014
April 19, 2014
April 21, 2014
May 22, 2015
February 4, 2016
February 29, 2016
April 26, 2016
May 25, 2016
March 13, 2017
March 24, 2017
May 4, 2017
May 12, 2017
February 14, 2019
March 5, 2019
March 27, 2019
January 25, 2022
January 28, 2022
March 4, 2022
March 29, 2022

Involvement with Parler

Appointment as Interim CEO

On February 15, 2021, announced the appointment of Mark Meckler as interim CEO, replacing John Matze, the company's founder and prior CEO, who had been dismissed by the board earlier that month. This leadership change occurred as prepared to relaunch its platform after a month-long outage triggered by the suspension of services from , Apple, and , stemming from content moderation disputes following the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot. Meckler, a longtime conservative activist and co-founder of Patriots, brought experience in grassroots organizing and advocacy for constitutional reforms to the role, with the stated objective of rebuilding the platform on independent technology infrastructure provided by SkySilk, a new hosting partner. In statements following the announcement, Meckler emphasized Parler's commitment to free speech, declaring the platform "back and here to stay" while introducing expanded artificial intelligence-based moderation tools to enforce community guidelines and address concerns from potential partners. The appointment drew attention to Parler's positioning as an alternative to mainstream , with Meckler asserting that the platform would remain open to users across the , including figures like then-President-elect , provided they adhered to basic rules against illegal content. This interim tenure lasted until May 2021, when George Farmer, Parler's , assumed the permanent CEO position.

Relaunch Challenges and Free Speech Advocacy

In February 2021, faced acute relaunch challenges stemming from its by major tech companies, including Apple, , and , which cited inadequate that purportedly enabled posts inciting violence around the Capitol events. Meckler, appointed interim CEO on February 15, 2021, after the board ousted founder John Matze, prioritized migrating to a new hosting provider, SkySilk, which agreed to support the platform despite its smaller scale and potential risks from activist pressures. The relaunch involved rebuilding the technical infrastructure from scratch, initially limiting access to pre-existing users—over 15 million accounts—to stabilize servers before opening to new registrations the following week. To address host concerns and prevent further shutdowns, under Meckler introduced enhanced moderation tools, including filters to detect and remove illegal content such as direct threats, while maintaining a policy of minimal intervention on political speech short of illegality. These measures aimed to balance operational viability with the platform's core ethos, though critics from left-leaning outlets argued they insufficiently curbed , potentially inviting renewed risks. Meckler stepped down in May 2021 after guiding the initial recovery, having overseen a phased return that restored basic functionality but left with a fraction of its prior app store visibility and user growth hampered by ongoing tech ecosystem exclusion. Throughout his tenure, Meckler positioned as a bulwark against perceived , advocating for unmoderated discourse on political matters to counter what he termed suppression by "tech overlords." He publicly affirmed the platform's openness to figures like and , emphasizing free speech as a universal principle rather than partisan tool, and framed the relaunch as a broader fight to preserve alternative voices in digital spaces dominated by centralized gatekeepers. In , including leaked recordings, Meckler described the effort as a "" for free speech and expression, underscoring his view that 's exemplified resistance to monopolistic control over discourse. This advocacy aligned with Meckler's prior Tea Party roots, prioritizing decentralized platforms to mitigate risks of narrative conformity enforced by legacy media and firms.

Controversies and Opposing Viewpoints

Risks and Criticisms of Article V Convention

Critics of an Article V convention, including conservative activists and Michael Farris, have long warned of the risk of a "runaway convention," where delegates exceed the scope of the states' applications and propose sweeping changes to the , potentially undermining core protections like the Bill of Rights. This concern draws from the 1787 Constitutional Convention, which was called to amend the but instead drafted an entirely new document, illustrating how procedural ambiguities can lead to unforeseen overhauls. Article V's text limits conventions to proposing amendments on topics specified by applying states, but opponents argue there is no enforceable mechanism to bind delegates, as the convention operates as a co-equal body with plenary authority over its agenda once convened. Schlafly, founder of Eagle Forum, cited private correspondence from former Chief Justice Warren Burger expressing that an Article V convention carries "unknown and potentially dangerous risks" due to unpredictable delegate selection and influence from special interests, potentially jeopardizing gun rights and other Second Amendment protections. Farris, president of the Home School Legal Defense Association, echoed these fears, contending that even a limited call for fiscal restraints—as pursued by the Convention of States Project—could devolve into broader rewrites, with no historical precedent for safely constraining such a body and ratification by three-fourths of states offering insufficient safeguard against radical proposals. Groups like the John Birch Society and Common Cause have mobilized state-level efforts to rescind prior applications, highlighting fears that a convention could prioritize corporate lobbying over popular sovereignty, leading to amendments eroding privacy, free speech, or environmental regulations. Logistical uncertainties compound these criticisms: determines the convention's timing, location, and delegate apportionment upon receiving 34 state applications, but lacks clear constitutional guidance on voting rules (e.g., vs. per state) or how to aggregate applications on varying topics, potentially sparking prolonged litigation and paralysis. Even if amendments emerge, requires approval by 38 states or conventions therein, a high bar that critics like those at the Brennan Center argue deters serious reform while inviting chaos if a convention proposes divisive changes amid polarized . Conservative opponents specifically targeting the Convention of States Project, which had secured 19 state resolutions by 2023, contend that its focus on limiting federal power invites left-leaning states to counter with applications for progressive amendments, diluting conservative gains and risking a zero-sum outcome. These groups, including , have successfully pressured states like to reconsider support, emphasizing empirical caution over theoretical safeguards.

Associations with Parler and Broader Conservative Networks

Meckler's tenure as interim CEO of from February to May 2021 linked him to a network of conservative investors and advocates prioritizing free speech platforms amid controversies following the , 2021, Capitol events. He was recruited for the role by , a principal investor in Parler whose family foundation has provided significant funding to conservative media and political causes, including and support for Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign. Under his leadership, Parler emphasized enhanced AI moderation while relaunching as a haven for conservative discourse, attracting users from traditional amid perceptions of by . Beyond Parler, Meckler's associations span foundational conservative grassroots organizations, beginning with his co-founding of Tea Party Patriots in 2009, which grew to claim millions of activists focused on fiscal responsibility, limited government, and opposition to the . He resigned in 2012 citing strategic disagreements, particularly over the group's perceived over-reliance on Republican Party structures, but his early role positioned him as a key mobilizer of decentralized conservative activism. This network extended to the formation of in 2010 (rebranded as Convention of States Foundation), where he serves as president, building a coalition of over 5 million supporters advocating for an Article V constitutional convention to impose term limits and fiscal restraints on federal power. Meckler's broader ties include funding overlaps with the Mercer family, who have supported Convention of States initiatives alongside other right-leaning efforts like legal challenges against IRS of Tea Party groups. He has also engaged with entities such as the Conservative Action for America PAC, which channels resources into independent expenditures for conservative candidates, and the Truth & Liberty Coalition, a platform uniting activists on issues like religious liberty and . These affiliations underscore his role in interconnecting state-level advocacy, media alternatives, and donor-backed infrastructure within conservative circles, often emphasizing over centralized authority.

Political Philosophy and Ongoing Influence

Views on Federalism and Limited Government

Meckler maintains that the U.S. establishes a federal government of strictly enumerated and limited powers, with all others reserved to the states or the people under the Tenth Amendment. He contends that federal overreach has progressively centralized authority in , undermining the original structure intended by the Framers to prevent tyranny through divided sovereignty. This view stems from his interpretation that the federal government's expansion beyond constitutional bounds—via mechanisms like expansive readings of the —has led to unelected bureaucrats wielding undue control over state matters. As president and co-founder of Convention of States Action since 2013, Meckler champions an Article V convention of states as the mechanism to restore , proposing targeted amendments for fiscal restraints on federal spending, restrictions on federal jurisdiction, and congressional term limits. He argues this process empowers states to bypass a self-perpetuating federal apparatus incapable of self-reform, stating, "The federal government will never reform itself." Meckler emphasizes that true disperses power away from D.C., preserving by ensuring decisions remain closer to affected citizens and countering the "pull of power and money" that incentivizes federal expansion. His advocacy aligns with his earlier role co-founding Tea Party Patriots in 2009, where he promoted grassroots resistance to federal fiscal irresponsibility and overreach, including a successful class-action against IRS targeting of conservative groups. Meckler asserts that sovereignty resides with "We the People" through state representatives, not federal entities, positioning as the antidote to concentrated power that erodes . This philosophy informs his ongoing efforts, which have secured resolutions in 19 states toward the 34 needed for a convention as of 2023.

Current Activities and Future Outlook

Meckler continues to lead Convention of States Action as its president and co-founder, directing a nationwide campaign to obtain state legislative applications for a convention under Article V of the U.S. Constitution, focused on proposing amendments for fiscal restraints on the federal government, limits on its jurisdiction and power, and congressional term limits. As of October 2025, nineteen states—Georgia, , , Alabama, Tennessee, Indiana, Oklahoma, Louisiana, , , , , , , , , , , and —have passed the resolution, leaving fifteen more needed to reach the two-thirds threshold of thirty-four states required to trigger the convention. In 2025, Meckler's activities have emphasized state-level advocacy and public engagement, including the Restoring America Tour with Rick Green in and starting October 10, and a town hall event in , on October 22, where he promoted the resolution amid efforts to secure Wyoming's support. He also hosts The BattleCry, a weekly broadcast every at 8:00 p.m. ET, mobilizing participants to advance the cause of restraining federal overreach. Additional appearances, such as on the FlashPoint program on October 27, underscore his role in broader conservative media outreach. Prospects for the initiative center on accelerating legislative progress in targeted states during , with Convention of States Action planning "surge" events in state capitols to influence lawmakers and the "34 Ready" program to enact pre-convention measures for selecting commissioners and establishing ratification processes. The organization views the year as potentially transformative, anticipating support from incoming Trump administration figures to propel the effort toward convening and restoring . Meckler has emphasized preparation for post-convention ratification challenges, aiming to propose amendments that endure scrutiny in thirty-eight states.

Personal Life

Family and Background

Mark Meckler was raised in a culturally Jewish but non-religious household in the of , where family traditions emphasized Jewish heritage without formal religious practice or belief in God. His parents provided stable role models, remaining married for over 50 years as of 2014. He earned a degree from and a from the University of the Pacific's , subsequently practicing law for two decades. Meckler has been married to Patty since the early 1990s, with the couple marking over 28 years together by 2020; they have two adult children, including a son who served four years in the U.S. Marine Corps and later pursued . The family resides north of .

Intellectual Evolution

Mark Meckler's early intellectual development was shaped by a cultural Jewish upbringing that lacked religious observance, evolving into militant during his university years at , where he earned a B.A., influenced by the New Atheists' critiques of . This atheistic worldview persisted through his legal education at the University of the Pacific's , where he obtained a J.D., and into his two-decade career as an attorney and entrepreneur specializing in internet marketing and . At age 51, around 2012, Meckler underwent a profound , driven by personal relationships and a deepening engagement with religious texts and history, leading him to embrace while retaining Jewish cultural identity as a "Jewish Christian." He described this shift as "falling in love with the ," marking a rejection of his prior conviction that was unnecessary for understanding the world. This conversion coincided with his growing involvement in conservative activism, potentially reinforcing his emphasis on moral and foundational principles in governance. Politically, Meckler's evolution began with the 2009 Tea Party movement, where he co-founded as national coordinator, advocating , opposition to expansive federal programs like the , and lawsuits against perceived IRS overreach targeting conservative groups. By 2012, disillusioned with the movement's inability to enact structural reforms through electoral means alone, he resigned to found , pivoting toward an Article V constitutional convention strategy. This marked a maturation from grassroots protest to institutional redesign, emphasizing federalism's role in restraining centralized power, imposing fiscal limits, and enforcing term limits—measures he views as essential to restore the Constitution's original intent of enumerated federal powers. Meckler argues that historical federal overreach has eroded , necessitating state-led amendments to realign authority with "We the People."

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  37. https://conventionofstates.com/news/challenges-to-a-convention-of-states-and-effective-defenses-against-them
  38. https://www.commoncause.org/work/stopping-a-dangerous-article-v-convention/
  39. https://conventionofstates.com/states-with-passed-article-v-resolution
  40. https://conventionofstates.com/states-that-have-passed-the-convention-of-states-article-v-application
  41. https://thehill.com/opinion/campaign/5516364-constitutional-convention-crisis-states/
  42. https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/parler-announces-re-launch-new-ceo-rcna286
  43. https://www.npr.org/2021/02/15/968116346/after-weeks-of-being-off-line-parler-finds-a-new-web-host
  44. https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/tech-news-technology/social-media-app-parler-crawls-back-online-on-independent-technology-7190583/
  45. https://cbsaustin.com/news/nation-world/parlers-new-ceo-were-back-and-were-here-to-stay
  46. https://katv.com/news/nation-world/parlers-new-ceo-were-back-and-were-here-to-stay
  47. https://www.foxbusiness.com/technology/parler-interim-ceo-trump-biden-welcome
  48. https://thehill.com/policy/technology/539091-parler-interim-ceo-biden-welcome-on-the-platform/
  49. https://www.reuters.com/technology/parler-returns-apples-app-store-names-new-ceo-2021-05-17/
  50. https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/candace-owens-husband-parler-ceo-b1851122.html
  51. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/15/technology/parler-back-online.html
  52. https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2021/02/15/parler-return-social-media-site-favored-conservatives-relaunches/6748897002/
  53. https://www.theepochtimes.com/tech/relaunched-parlers-free-speech-vision-more-entrenched-than-ever-before-ceo-3698527
  54. https://www.forbes.com/sites/jemimamcevoy/2021/02/15/parler-relaunches-after-month-offline-in-wake-of-capitol-attack/
  55. https://www.newsweek.com/mark-meckler-addresses-critics-parler-convention-states-1579629
  56. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/mark-meckler-article-five-constitutional-convention_n_6086c380e4b09cce6c143b10
  57. https://constitutionparty.com/the-dangerous-threat-of-an-article-v-constitutional-convention/
  58. https://nyujlpp.org/quorum/kowal-stop-worrying-love-article-v-convention/
  59. https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/new-constitutional-convention-good-idea
  60. https://scholarship.law.wm.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2118&context=wmborj
  61. https://www.floridalawreview.com/api/v1/articles/88618-a-known-unknown-the-call-for-an-article-v-convention.pdf
  62. https://cdn.nfcommission.gov/2024/05/0bea7ea7-20-false-claims-article-v-convention-second-edition-booklet.pdf
  63. https://www.facebook.com/groups/278657389576477/posts/326440021464880/
  64. https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/cmte_testimony/2021/ehe/1Mm-G6vYI_9RPKijMd3ORu1B0D2Pi8fV1.pdf
  65. https://pbswisconsin.org/news-item/how-a-proposed-lawsuit-would-seek-to-require-congress-to-convene-an-article-v-constitutional-convention/
  66. https://ndlegis.gov/files/resource/68-2023/library/scr4012.pdf
  67. https://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/02/16/parler-now-hands-right-wing-extremist-seeking-radical-rewrite-constitution
  68. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-03-16/relaunched-parler-engaged-in-mercer-funded-war-over-free-speech
  69. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00820068/
  70. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEBeD5YfXSM
  71. https://conventionofstates.com/news/meckler-the-power-lies-with-we-the-people-not-the-feds
  72. https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2025/06/12/ohio-state-to-watch-for-u-s-constitutional-convention-measures-concerned-advocates-say/
  73. https://newslj.com/mark-meckler-and-rick-green-travel-montana-and-wyoming-restoring-america-tour
  74. https://sheridanmedia.com/news/210438/convention-of-states-holds-town-hall/
  75. https://conventionofstates.com/videos/the-battlecry-with-mark-meckler-sundays-at-8-00p-et-10-26-25
  76. https://www.facebook.com/groups/flashpointlive/posts/862721406184385/
  77. https://conventionofstates.com/news/the-road-ahead
  78. https://www.premierunbelievable.com/articles/i-dont-need-god-a-sceptics-u-turn/14240.article
  79. https://wng.org/articles/transforming-power-1617325416
  80. https://www.cslewisinstitute.org/resources/the-side-b-podcast-mark-meckler/
  81. https://thelegacyinstitute.com/from-the-tea-party-to-the-convention-of-states/
  82. https://conventionofstates.com/news/powerful-mark-meckler-explains-how-convention-of-states-can-be-used-to-decrease-political-division
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