Ken Blankenbush
Encyclopedia
Kenneth D. "Ken" Blankenbush (born September 14, 1947) is an American
politician and a Republican
member of the New York State Assembly
.
He succeeded former Assemblywoman Dede Scozzafava, a liberal Republican who retired. Blankenbush is a longtime resident of Black River
. His district includes Lewis County
and parts of Oswego
, Saint Lawrence and Jefferson
Counties.
Blankenbush graduated from Rush-Henrietta High School in Henrietta, New York
. Upon completing two years at Monroe Community College
, he earned a Bachelor of Science
degree in history from the State University of New York at Plattsburgh
. He served in the United States Air Force
from 1968 to 1976, during which time he was deployed and served in Vietnam
and was then stationed at Plattsburgh Air Force Base
.
In 1976, Blankenbush began his professional career with Metropolitan Life Insurance Company
and worked his way up to branch manager of the regional office in Watertown. After a successful tenure at Metropolitan, he left to start BEL Associates, his own insurance and financial services business in Watertown.
A town councilman for the town of Le Ray
for eight years, Blankenbush went on to serve his community as a member of the Jefferson County Board of Legislators, and served two terms as Chairman.
In November 2010, he was elected to the State Assembly.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician and a Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
member of the New York State Assembly
New York State Assembly
The New York State Assembly is the lower house of the New York State Legislature. The Assembly is composed of 150 members representing an equal number of districts, with each district having an average population of 128,652...
.
He succeeded former Assemblywoman Dede Scozzafava, a liberal Republican who retired. Blankenbush is a longtime resident of Black River
Black River, New York
Black River is a village in Jefferson County, New York, United States. The population was 1,285 at the 2000 census.The Village of Black River is on the border of the Town of Le Ray and the Town of Rutland...
. His district includes Lewis County
Lewis County, New York
As of the census of 2000, there were 26,944 people, 10,040 households, and 7,309 families residing in the county. The population density was 21 people per square mile . There were 15,134 housing units at an average density of 12 per square mile...
and parts of Oswego
Oswego County, New York
Oswego County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 Census, the estimated population was 122,109. The City of Oswego and the Village of Pulaski serve as the dual county seats in a two shire system of government...
, Saint Lawrence and Jefferson
Jefferson County, New York
Jefferson County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 116,229. It is named after Thomas Jefferson, third President of the United States of America, and president at the time the county was created in 1805...
Counties.
Blankenbush graduated from Rush-Henrietta High School in Henrietta, New York
Henrietta, New York
Henrietta is a town in Monroe County, New York, United States. It is a suburb of Rochester. The population was 42,581 at the 2010 census. Established in 1818, the town is named after Henrietta Laura Pulteney, Countess of Bath, daughter of Sir William Pulteney, 5th Baronet, a major British...
. Upon completing two years at Monroe Community College
Monroe Community College
Monroe Community College is a two-year college of the State University of New York, located in Monroe County, New York. The college has two campuses, one in the town of Brighton and another, the Damon City Campus, in the City of Rochester...
, he earned a Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
degree in history from the State University of New York at Plattsburgh
State University of New York at Plattsburgh
The State University of New York at Plattsburgh is a four-year, public liberal arts college in Plattsburgh, New York. The college was founded in 1889 and opened in 1890. The college is currently part of the State University of New York system and is accredited by the Middle States Association of...
. He served in the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
from 1968 to 1976, during which time he was deployed and served in Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
and was then stationed at Plattsburgh Air Force Base
Plattsburgh Air Force Base
Plattsburgh Air Force Base is a former United States Air Force Strategic Air Command base covering 3,447 acres in the extreme northeast corner of New York, 20 miles south of the Canadian border...
.
In 1976, Blankenbush began his professional career with Metropolitan Life Insurance Company
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company
MetLife, Inc. is the holding corporation for the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, or MetLife, for short, and its affiliates. MetLife is among the largest global providers of insurance, annuities, and employee benefit programs, with 90 million customers in over 60 countries...
and worked his way up to branch manager of the regional office in Watertown. After a successful tenure at Metropolitan, he left to start BEL Associates, his own insurance and financial services business in Watertown.
A town councilman for the town of Le Ray
Le Ray, New York
Le Ray is a town in Jefferson County, New York, United States. The population was 21,782 at the 2010 census. The town is named for Jacques-Donatien Le Ray, from France.The Town of Le Ray is in the central part of the county and is east of Watertown....
for eight years, Blankenbush went on to serve his community as a member of the Jefferson County Board of Legislators, and served two terms as Chairman.
In November 2010, he was elected to the State Assembly.