Walter Blackman
Walt Blackman | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Arizona House of Representatives from the 6th district | |
| In office January 14, 2019 – January 9, 2023 Serving with Brenda Barton | |
| Preceded by | Brenda Barton |
| Succeeded by | Myron Tsosie |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1965 or 1966 (age 57–58) Bronze Star Meritorious Service Medal |
Walter Blackman (born 1965/1966)
Early life and education
Blackman was born on an Army base in
Career
Blackman served in the
Political career
Blackman was elected in 2018 to succeed term-limited Arizona State Representative Brenda Barton as a Republican member of the Arizona House of Representatives representing district 6.[2][3] He was the first black Republican elected to the Arizona Legislature.[5][9]
He supports criminal justice reform.[10] He is chair of the Ad Hoc Committee on Earned Release Credits for Prisoners, Vice Chair of the Judiciary Committee, Vice Chair of the State and International Affairs Committee, and a Member of the Education Commission of the States, the Government Committee and the Regulatory Affairs Committee.[7] In February 2020, the Arizona House unanimously approved a bill that he had proposed that would give all non-violent-offense state prisoners time off their sentences if they work in prison or take drug treatment or major self-improvement courses in prison.[11]
Commenting on the murder of George Floyd, and also highlighting Floyd's criminal record, Blackman said on Facebook: "I DO NOT support George Floyd and I refuse to see him as a martyr. But I hope his family receives justice."[9][12][10][13] Blackman also called the Black Lives Matter movement a "terrorist organization", likened it to the Ku Klux Klan and questioned whether police brutality existed.[10][12][13] In reaction, the Arizona branches of the American Friends Service Committee and the American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona said that they no longer would work with him.[12]
Following the
In 2022, Blackman said that he and his family were the victims of a racist smear campaign driven by the far-right website The Gateway Pundit over his refusal to support overturning the 2020 presidential election.[15] He said that, after he gave an interview in which he argued that it would be unconstitutional for state legislators to "decertify" the results of the 2020 presidential election, his daughter received a text message calling him a racial epithet and a "RINO" (Republican in Name Only).[16]
2022 U.S. House campaign
In March 2021, Blackman announced his candidacy for Arizona's 2nd congressional district in the 2022 elections.[17]
In a September 2021 speech, Blackman said, "The
In a seven-way Republican primary race, Blackman finished second to winner Eli Crane.[19]
2024 State House campaign
In January 2023, Blackman announced his campaign for a third non-consecutive term in the State House.[20] After redistricting, his new district contains more of Pinal County.
Personal life
Blackman and his wife have five children.[8] His wife works at the Northern Arizona Council of Government.[8]
See also
References
- ^ "Q&A: State House District 6 Candidate Walt Blackman". Verde Independent. October 19, 2020. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
- ^ a b Johnson, Michael (December 22, 2017). "Snowflake vet enters race for LD6 seat". White Mountain Independent. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
- ^ a b Zorn, Dave (August 28, 2018). "Thorpe, Blackman Move on in State Legislative District 6 Race". KAFF News. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
- ^ Jon Hecht (November 20, 2018). "Representative-elect Blackman seeks accountability at legislature". JournalAZ.com. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
- ^ a b c Campbell, Katie (December 24, 2018). "Walt Blackman: A graduate of 'Real World U'". Arizona Capitol Times. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
- ^ "Who is Walt Blackman?". Walt Blackman – Candidate for Arizona. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
- ^ a b "House Member Walter Blackman". Azleg.gov. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
- ^ a b c "State Financial Disclosure Statement," March 16, 2020.
- ^ a b "Black Arizona Legislator Calling Black Lives Matter 'Terrorist' Group". Arizona Daily Independent. June 5, 2020. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
- ^ a b c Rosenblatt, Dillon (June 4, 2020). "Black lawmaker calls BLM a terrorist organization". Arizona Capitol Times. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
- ^ Christie, Bob (February 27, 2020). "House OKs Bill Letting Non-Violent Inmates Earn Time Off". U.S. News & World Report.
- ^ Arizona Republic. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
- ^ a b Stern, Ray (June 4, 2020). "Arizona Rep. Walt Blackman: George Floyd Is 'Not a Hero,' BLM Is a 'Terrorist Organization'". Phoenix New Times.
- ABC 15 Arizona. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
- ^ Johnson, Jeroslyn (February 9, 2022). "Black Republican in Arizona Says His Daughter is the Target of Racist Attacks". Black Enterprise. Retrieved February 21, 2022.
- ^ Slalka, Liz (February 8, 2022). "Arizona Republican Says His Daughter Got Text Calling Him 'N-Word' RINO". Yahoo! News. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
- ^ Skabelund, Adrian (March 24, 2021). "Rep. Walt Blackman announces he's seeking seat in House". Arizona Daily Sun. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
- ^ Kaczynski, Andrew; Steck, Em (October 13, 2021). "NRCC-supported candidate praised Proud Boys at September rally for Capitol rioters". CNN.
- ^ "Arizona Second Congressional District Primary Election Results". The New York Times. August 2, 2022. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
- ^ Oravits, Jeff. "Joe Galli talking term limits + Walt Blackman announces LD7 run, talks state of politics in AZ". The Jeff Oravits Show. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
External links
