Michael Blake (politician)

Michael Blake
Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee
Assumed office
February 25, 2017
Serving with Maria Elena Durazo, Ken Martin, and Grace Meng
Member of the New York Assembly from the 79th District
Assumed office
January 1, 2015
Preceded by Eric Stevenson
Personal details
Born (1982-02-20) February 20, 1982
The Bronx, New York
Political party Democratic
Alma mater Northwestern University (B.A.)
Website Official website

Michael Alexander Blake (born December 25, 1982) is an American politician and member of the Democratic Party. He currently serves as both a New York Assemblyman from the 79th district and a Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee. The district includes portions of Concourse Village, Morrisania, Melrose, Belmont, Claremont and East Tremont in The Bronx.

Life and career

Blake was born on December 25, 1982 in The Bronx to parents who had immigrated from Jamaica.[1] He was named after Michael Manley and Alexander Bustamante.[2] After graduating from New York City Public Schools, Blake went on to attend and graduate from Northwestern University with a degree in Journalism.[3]

A political operative, Blake began his career working Michigan House of Representatives and for Illinois state Senator Jeffrey Schoenberg.[4] He previously worked for the organizations Green For All and Operation Hope, and in 2013, he served as the Campaign Manager for Reshma Saujani for New York City Public Advocate.[5] He also helped to found the Atlas Strategy Group, which focuses on policy issues for communities of color.[6]

Blake also served as the Iowa Deputy Political Director for Barack Obama in the 2008 United States presidential election, and following his election to the presidency, Blake became Associate Director of Public Engagement & Deputy Associate Director of the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs.[7] He served as the National Deputy Director of Operation Vote for President Obama’s 2012 re-election.[8]

New York Assembly

In 2014, Assemblyman Eric Stevenson was found guilty on corruption charges, and was required to vacate his seat.[9] As a result, Blake entered the race to replace him.[10] His own candidacy was not without controversy, and The Bronx Democratic Party, who did not support his candidacy, tried to state he was not actually a resident of The Bronx.[11] Despite the setbacks, Blake won the Democratic primary over five other candidates.[12] He easily won the general election with nearly 92% of the vote.

Blake was sworn-in for his first term on January 1, 2015. He currently serves as the Chair of the Subcommittee on Mitchell-Lama.

References

  1. ↑ "Michael Blake Brings It All Back Home to the Bronx". The Observer. July 23, 2014. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  2. ↑ "Man For The People". Impact. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  3. ↑ "Wildcats in the White House". Northwestern. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  4. ↑ "IL: Michael A. Blake". Impact. April 4, 2011. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  5. ↑ "Hilltop hires sitting Democratic assemblyman Michael Blake". Politico. December 11, 2015. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  6. ↑ "GRASSROOTS POLITICS, FROM BROOKLYN TO THE WHITE HOUSE". The New School. February 8, 2014. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  7. ↑ "Michael Blake, Star Organizer, Joins Obama's 'Operation Vote' To Rally Black And Minority Support". Huffington Post. November 2, 2011. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  8. ↑ "Ahead of ex-Obama operative Michael Blake's Bronx Assembly run kickoff, residency questions". Daily News. April 18, 2014. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  9. ↑ "Former Bronx Assemblyman Sentenced for Corruption". New York Times. May 21, 2014. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  10. ↑ "Michael Blake, Bronx Assembly Candidate, Submits 'Historic' Finance Filing". Gotham Gazette. July 15, 2014. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  11. ↑ "Residency Issues Plague Michael Blake". Bronx Chronicle. July 30, 2014. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  12. ↑ "Primary Election Results 2014". Gotham Gazette. September 10, 2014. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
Political offices
Preceded by
Eric Stevenson		 New York Assembly, 79th District
2015–present		 Incumbent
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