Megan Blanksma | |
---|---|
Majority Leader of the Idaho House of Representatives | |
In office December 1, 2022 –February 8, 2024 | |
Preceded by | Mike Moyle |
Succeeded by | Jason Monks |
Member of the Idaho House of Representatives | |
Assumed office December 1,2016 | |
Preceded by | Pete Nielsen |
Constituency | 23rd district Seat B (2016–2020) 8th district Seat B (2020–present) |
Personal details | |
Born | Nampa,Idaho,U.S. |
Political party | Republican |
Education | University of Idaho (BS) |
Megan Blanksma (born in Nampa,Idaho) is an American politician serving as a member of the Idaho House of Representatives from District 8 in seat B. [1] A member of the Republican 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]
Blanksma was born and raised in Nampa. She graduated from Nampa High School and served as a legislative page in the Idaho Senate during her senior year. Later,she earned a Bachelor of Science in economics from the University of Idaho.
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.
Blanksma challenged 14-year incumbent Pete Nielsen in the Republican primary in 2016. She was endorsed by Governor Butch 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 the COVID-19 pandemic,Blanksma criticized the Idaho Central District Health for endorsing a statement by Lauren McLean,the Democratic mayor of Boise,who supported Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance regarding masking and vaccines. [5]
Blanksma and her husband,Jeff,live on a farm in Hammett,Idaho.
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% |
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