Vito Marcantonio graduated from De Witt Clinton High School and earned an LL.B. from New York University School of Law in 1925. He began his career by managing campaigns for notable political figures, including Fiorello La Guardia. Marcantonio practiced law and held various positions in legal and political organizations, including serving as an assistant United States attorney. He was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1934, representing diverse communities and advocating for civil rights, workers' rights, and peace. Marcantonio opposed U.S. involvement in World War II and the Korean War, and he was a vocal critic of the House Un-American Activities Committee and the Central Intelligence Agency.

Vito Marcantonio's political identity is marked by an ideologically agile approach, blending progressive advocacy with staunch anti-war sentiments. He championed workers' rights and civil liberties while opposing U.S. military interventions, revealing a unique tension between his domestic progressivism and isolationist foreign policy. Marcantonio's legislative record shows an unexpected convergence with opposing factions on environmental regulations, revealing a highly calculated approach to protecting regional industrial interests. His rhetorical style consistently emphasized grassroots democracy and community empowerment, often framing issues through the lens of social justice and moral imperatives.