Megan Blanksma
Megan Blanksma | |
---|---|
Majority Leader of theIdaho House of Representatives | |
In office December 1, 2022 – February 8, 2024 | |
Preceded by | Mike Moyle |
Succeeded by | Jason Monks |
Member of theIdaho House of Representatives | |
Assumed office December 1, 2016 | |
Preceded by | Pete Nielsen |
Constituency | 23rd districtSeat B (2016–2020) 8th districtSeat B (2020–present) |
Personal details | |
Born | Nampa, Idaho,U.S. |
Political party | Republican |
Education | University of Idaho(BS) |
Megan C. Blanksma(born inNampa, Idaho) is an American politician serving as a member of theIdaho House of RepresentativesfromDistrict 8in seat B.[1]A member of theRepublican Party,she served as the majority leader in the House of Representatives from 2022 to February 8, 2024, when she was removed due to disagreements within the Republican caucus.[2]
Early life and education
[edit]Blanksma was born and raised inNampa.She graduated fromNampa High Schooland served as alegislative pagein theIdaho Senateduring her senior year. Later, she earned aBachelor of Scienceineconomicsfrom theUniversity of Idaho.
Career
[edit]From 2014 to 2016, Blanksma served as Chair of the Elmore County Republican Party, after many years as a volunteer in many capacities at the county and state level.[3]She also serves on the St. Luke's Elmore Community Board.
Idaho House of Representatives
[edit]Blanksma challenged 14-year incumbentPete Nielsenin the Republican primary in 2016. She was endorsed by GovernorButch Otter.[4]After securing the nomination, Blanksma faced only independent and third party opposition in the general election and was elected to the seat.
Amid theCOVID-19 pandemic,Blanksma criticized the Idaho Central District Health for endorsing a statement byLauren McLean,the Democratic mayor ofBoise,who supportedCenters for Disease Control and Preventionguidance regarding masking and vaccines.[5]
Committee assignments
[edit]- Heath and Welfare Committee
- Local Government Committee
- Resources and Conservation Committee
Personal life
[edit]Blanksma and her husband, Jeff, live on a farm inHammett, Idaho.
Elections
[edit]Year | Candidate | Votes | Pct | Candidate | Votes | Pct | Candidate | Votes | Pct | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2016 Primary[6] | Megan Blanksma | 3,387 | 71.0% | Pete Nielsen (incumbent) | 1,052 | 22.1% | Justin Freeman | 329 | 6.9% | ||||
2016 General[7] | Megan Blanksma | 10,810 | 77.1% | Bill Chisholm | 2,335 | 16.6% | Christopher Jenkins | 889 | 6.3% | ||||
2018 Primary[8] | Megan Blanksma | 4,328 | 100% | ||||||||||
2018 General[9] | Megan Blanksma | 10,441 | 97.9% | Tony Ullrich (Write-in) | 220 | 2.1% | |||||||
2020 Primary[10] | Megan Blanksma | 6,112 | 100% | ||||||||||
2020 General[11] | Megan Blanksma | 12,941 | 74.5% | Michael Oliver | 3,234 | 18.6% | Tony Ullrich | 1,186 | 6.8% |
Year | Candidate | Votes | Pct | Candidate | Votes | Pct | Candidate | Votes | Pct | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2022 Primary[12] | Megan Blanksma | 6,995 | 100% | ||||||||||
2022 General[13] | Megan Blanksma | 12,604 | 83.6% | Tony Ullrich | 2,482 | 16.5% |
References
[edit]- ^"Rep. Megan Blanksma".Idaho Legislature.RetrievedJanuary 20,2017.
- ^Corbin, Clark (2024-02-08)."House Republicans oust Majority Leader Megan Blanksma from leadership role".Idaho Capital Sun.Retrieved2024-02-09.
- ^"Barry Peterson loses control of Elmore County GOP, blames Otter".Idaho Statesman.RetrievedJanuary 20,2017.
- ^"Breaking Down Otter's Legislative Endorsements".Idaho Education News.RetrievedJanuary 20,2017.
- ^Norimine, Hayat (2021-08-20)."Can Central District Health back CDC guidelines? Board members seek more control".Idaho Statesman.Retrieved2024-01-18.
- ^Denney, Lawerence."May 17, 2016 Primary Election Results: Legislative Totals".Secretary of State of Idaho.Archived fromthe originalon December 20, 2016.RetrievedJanuary 20,2017.
- ^Denney, Lawerence."Nov 8, 2016 General Election Results: Legislative Totals".Secretary of State of Idaho.Archived fromthe originalon December 21, 2016.RetrievedJanuary 20,2017.
- ^"State of Idaho Elections Database » 2018 May 15:: Republican Primary:: State Representative B:: District 23".State of Idaho Elections Database.Retrieved2024-07-16.
- ^McGrane, Phil."2018 General Election Results Legislative Totals".Idaho Secretary of State.
- ^"State of Idaho Elections Database » 2020 May 19:: Republican Primary:: State Representative B:: District 23".State of Idaho Elections Database.Retrieved2024-07-16.
- ^"2020 General Election Results – Legislative – Idaho Secretary of State".Retrieved2024-07-16.
- ^"State of Idaho Elections Database » 2022 May 17:: Republican Primary:: State Representative B:: District 8".State of Idaho Elections Database.Retrieved2024-07-16.
- ^"State of Idaho Elections Database » 2022 Nov 8:: General Election:: State Representative B:: District 8".State of Idaho Elections Database.Retrieved2024-07-16.