Alex Blanco

Alex Blanco
Alex Blanco
Mayor of Passaic, New Jersey
In office
November 2008 – Present
Preceded by Gary Schaer
Member of the Passaic School Board
Personal details
Born Dominican Republic
Political party Democratic Party
Spouse(s) Aurora Blanco
Alma mater Kean University
New York College of Podiatric Medicine
Profession Mayor, Passaic, New Jersey

Alex Blanco (born 1972) is an American politician and mayor of Passaic, New Jersey, United States.[1] He is the first elected and second serving Dominican-American mayor in the United States .[2][3]

Biography

Alex Blanco was born in the Dominican Republic in 1972.[2] In 1984, when Alex was 12-years old, he emigrated from La Vega Province to Passaic with his mother, stepfather, and two siblings.[2][4] Blanco's family struggled financially and received foodstamps for a time during Alex's childhood.[4] He was paid by the Passaic School Board for taking the SAT's.[4] Blanco graduated Kean University and New York College of Podiatric Medicine.[2]

Blanco was first elected in November 2008 in a special election to complete the unexpired term of former Mayor Samuel Rivera, who resigned after pleading guilty to attempted extortion.[1] He received around twenty eight percent of the 13,769 votes.[1] In April 2009, Blanco announced he was running for a full-term, and was endorsed by Senator Bob Menendez.[5] Blanco won a full four year term in the May election, defeating city supervisor Vincent Capuana.[3] He was sworn in July 1, 2009, when he began serving his four-year term.[3]

Blanco was described as the "classic American success story" by Gary Schaer, who Blanco replaced as acting Mayor in the 2008 special election.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Alex Blanco Elected Mayor of Passaic", WCBS880, November 5, 2008, http://www.wcbs880.com/pages/3261365.php?, retrieved November 3, 2009 [dead link]
  2. ^ a b c d e Coyne, Kevin (November 28, 2008), "Dominican Wins City Hall and a Community’s Pride", New York Times, http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/30/nyregion/new-jersey/30colnj.html, retrieved May 22, 2010 
  3. ^ a b c Pizarro, Max (June 30, 2009). "Corzine to swear-in Blanco tomorrow with Menendez also in attendance". PolitickerNJ. http://www.politickernj.com/max/31079/corzine-swear-blanco-tomorrow-menendez-also-attendance. Retrieved November 3, 2009. 
  4. ^ a b c "Dr. Alex Blanco: 1st Dominican-American Mayor in U.S.". November 12, 2008. http://americantaino.blogspot.com/2008/11/dr-alex-blanco-1st-dominican-american.html. Retrieved November 3, 2009. 
  5. ^ Pizzaro, Max (April 13, 2009), "Menendez backs Blanco as Passaic mayor launches his reelection campaign at City Hall", PolitickerNJ, http://www.politickernj.com/max/28966/menendez-backs-blanco-passaic-mayor-launches-his-reelection-campaign-city-hall, retrieved May 22, 2010 
Political offices
Preceded by
Gary Schaer		 Mayor of Passaic, New Jersey
2009–present		 Incumbent


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