Megan Blanksma

Megan Blanksma
Majority Leader of the Idaho House of Representatives
In office
December 1, 2022 – February 8, 2024
Preceded byMike Moyle
Succeeded byJason Monks
Member of the Idaho House of Representatives
In office
December 1, 2016 – November 30, 2024
Preceded byPete Nielsen
Constituency23rd district Seat B (2016–2020)
8th district Seat B (2020–present)
Personal details
BornNampa, Idaho, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
EducationUniversity of Idaho (BS)

Megan C. 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]

Early life and education

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.

Career

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

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 guidance regarding masking and vaccines.[5]

Committee assignments

  • Heath and Welfare Committee
  • Local Government Committee
  • Resources and Conservation Committee

Personal life

Blanksma and her husband, Jeff, live on a farm in Hammett, Idaho.

Elections

District 23 House Seat B - Elmore, Owyhee, and a portion of Twin Falls County
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%
District 8 House Seat B - Boise, Custer, Elmore, and Valley Counties
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

  1. ^ "Rep. Megan Blanksma". Idaho Legislature. Retrieved January 20, 2017.
  2. ^ Corbin, Clark (2024-02-08). "House Republicans oust Majority Leader Megan Blanksma from leadership role". Idaho Capital Sun. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
  3. ^ "Barry Peterson loses control of Elmore County GOP, blames Otter". Idaho Statesman. Retrieved January 20, 2017.
  4. ^ "Breaking Down Otter's Legislative Endorsements". Idaho Education News. Retrieved January 20, 2017.
  5. ^ Norimine, Hayat (2021-08-20). "Can Central District Health back CDC guidelines? Board members seek more control". Idaho Statesman. Retrieved 2024-01-18.
  6. ^ Denney, Lawerence. "May 17, 2016 Primary Election Results: Legislative Totals". Secretary of State of Idaho. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved January 20, 2017.
  7. ^ Denney, Lawerence. "Nov 8, 2016 General Election Results: Legislative Totals". Secretary of State of Idaho. Archived from the original on December 21, 2016. Retrieved January 20, 2017.
  8. ^ "State of Idaho Elections Database » 2018 May 15 :: Republican Primary :: State Representative B :: District 23". State of Idaho Elections Database. Retrieved 2024-07-16.
  9. ^ McGrane, Phil. "2018 General Election Results Legislative Totals". Idaho Secretary of State.
  10. ^ "State of Idaho Elections Database » 2020 May 19 :: Republican Primary :: State Representative B :: District 23". State of Idaho Elections Database. Retrieved 2024-07-16.
  11. ^ "2020 General Election Results – Legislative – Idaho Secretary of State". Retrieved 2024-07-16.
  12. ^ "State of Idaho Elections Database » 2022 May 17 :: Republican Primary :: State Representative B :: District 8". State of Idaho Elections Database. Retrieved 2024-07-16.
  13. ^ "State of Idaho Elections Database » 2022 Nov 8 :: General Election :: State Representative B :: District 8". State of Idaho Elections Database. Retrieved 2024-07-16.
Idaho House of Representatives
Preceded by Majority Leader of the Idaho House of Representatives
2022–2024 		Succeeded by