Michael Blake (politician)

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.

Michael Blake
Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee
Assumed office
February 25, 2017
Preceded byR.T. Rybak
Member of the New York Assembly from the 79th district
Assumed office
January 1, 2015
Preceded byEric Stevenson
Personal details
Born (1982-12-25) December 25, 1982
The Bronx, New York, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Alma materNorthwestern University (BA)
WebsiteGovernment website
Campaign website

Early life and education

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]

Career

Blake began his career working in the Michigan House of Representatives and for Illinois State Senator Jeffrey Schoenberg.[4][5] He previously worked for the organizations Green For All and Operation Hope.

Blake 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 and the deputy associate director of the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs.[6] He served as the national deputy director of Operation Vote for President, Obama’s 2012 re-election.[7] Blake was noted in Jet magazine as one of nine black politicos behind President Obama’s re-election. [8]

In 2013, he served as the campaign manager for Reshma Saujani for New York City Public Advocate.[9] He helped to found the Atlas Strategy Group, which focuses on policy issues for communities of color.[10]

New York Assembly

In 2014, Assemblyman Eric Stevenson was found guilty on corruption charges and was required to vacate his seat.[11] Blake entered the race to replace him.[12] His own candidacy was not without controversy, and the Bronx Democratic Party, who did not support his candidacy, claimed he was not actually a resident of the Bronx.[13] Despite these setbacks, Blake won the Democratic primary over five other candidates.[14] He easily won the general election with nearly 92% of the vote.

Blake was sworn-in for his first term on December 15th, 2014. He currently is the Chair of the Subcommittee on Mitchell-Lama and is a member of the Corrections, Housing, Banks, Veterans, Election Law and Governmental Operations committees.[15]

2019 Public Advocate campaign

In 2018, Blake announced he would be running for the New York City Public Advocate seat himself,[16] but lost to city councilman Jumaane Williams in a crowded race with 17 other candidates.[17]

Congressional campaign
Main article: 2020 United States House of Representatives elections in New York § District 15

In 2019, Blake announced his campaign for New York's 15th congressional district, as current Representative, José E. Serrano, has announced his retirement from Congress.[18] He lost, but also finished in second place behind winner Ritchie Torres[19]

See also

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. "New York State Assembly | Michael Blake". nyassembly.gov. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
  6. "Michael Blake, Star Organizer, Joins Obama's 'Operation Vote' To Rally Black And Minority Support". Huffington Post. November 2, 2011. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  7. "Ahead of ex-Obama operative Michael Blake's Bronx Assembly run kickoff, residency questions". Daily News. April 18, 2014. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  8. Magazine
  9. "Hilltop hires sitting Democratic assemblyman Michael Blake". Politico. December 11, 2015. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  10. "GRASSROOTS POLITICS, FROM BROOKLYN TO THE WHITE HOUSE". The New School. February 8, 2014. Archived from the original on January 30, 2016. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  11. "Former Bronx Assemblyman Sentenced for Corruption". New York Times. May 21, 2014. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  12. "Michael Blake, Bronx Assembly Candidate, Submits 'Historic' Finance Filing". Gotham Gazette. July 15, 2014. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  13. "Residency Issues Plague Michael Blake". Bronx Chronicle. July 30, 2014. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  14. "Primary Election Results 2014". Gotham Gazette. September 10, 2014. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  15. [https://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Michael-Blake/bio/ Michael Blake biography, NY State Assemebly
  16. Max, Ben. "In Run for New York City Public Advocate, Blake Offers Federal and State Experience". Retrieved October 25, 2018.
  17. "Jumaane Williams Wins Race for NYC Public Advocate".
  18. "Bronx pol got taxpayer reimbursements for political trips". Crain's New York Business. November 21, 2019. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  19. https://nyenr.elections.ny.gov/
New York State Assembly
Preceded by
Eric Stevenson		 Member of the New York Assembly
from the 79th district
2015–present		 Incumbent
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