| 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]
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]
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Gary Schaer |
Mayor of Passaic, New Jersey 2009–present |
Incumbent |