Walter Blackman

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Walt Blackman
Walter Blackman by Gage Skidmore.jpg
Member of the Arizona House of Representatives
from the 6th district
Assumed office
January 14, 2019
Serving with Brenda Barton
Preceded byBrenda Barton
Personal details
Born1965/1966 (age 55–56)
Portugal
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)Kristi Blackman
Children5
EducationGrand Canyon University
WebsiteCampaign website
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Army
AwardsBronze Star
Meritorious Service Medal

Walter Blackman (born 1965/1966)[1] is an American politician serving as a member of the Arizona House of Representatives from the 6th district.[2][3] He is the first black Republican elected to the Arizona State Legislature. Blackman served 21 years in the United States Army, earning a Bronze Star for combat action as a tank commander in Iraq.

Early life and education[]

Blackman was born on an Army base in Portugal; his father was served as an officer in the United States Air Force Security Forces.[4] He was raised in Wiesbaden, Germany.[5]

Career[]

Blackman served in the United States Army for 21 years as a front line tank commander, and a sexual harassment and assault prevention Senior Program Manager specialist.[5][6] He earned a Bronze Star for combat action in Iraq, and a Meritorious Service Medal.[7] From 2016 to 2018, he was the founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer of WB Inclusion and Diversity Consulting Firm, LLC in Snowflake, Arizona.[8]

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 is 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, Government Committee, and Regulatory Affairs Committee.[7] In February 2020, the Arizona House unanimously approved a bill he 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." In reaction, the Arizona branches of the American Friends Service Committee and the American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona said they would no longer work with him.[12]

Following the 2020 United States presidential election, Blackman supported the "Stop the Steal" movement which falsely claimed that Donald Trump won the election nationally and in Arizona.[14]

2022 U.S. House campaign[]

Main article: 2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Arizona § District 1

In March 2021, Blackman announced his candidacy for Arizona's 1st congressional district in the 2022 United States House of Representatives elections.[15]

In a September 2021 speech, Blackman said "The Proud Boys came to one of my events and that was one of the proudest moments of my life." When asked to comment on his remarks, Blackman condemned the Proud Boys, a far-right group that engages in political violence, saying "At the time of the rally, [I] wasn't familiar with the totality and breadth of the Proud Boys conduct, which I unequivocally condemn."[16]

Personal life[]

Blackman and his wife have five children.[8] His wife works at the Northern Arizona Council of Government.[8]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ "Q&A: State House District 6 Candidate Walt Blackman". Verde Independent. October 19, 2020. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  2. ^ a b Johnson, Michael (December 22, 2017). "Snowflake vet enters race for LD6 seat". White Mountain Independent. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
  3. ^ a b Zorn, Dave (August 28, 2018). "Thorpe, Blackman Move on in State Legislative District 6 Race". KAFF News. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
  4. ^ Jon Hecht (November 20, 2018). "Representative-elect Blackman seeks accountability at legislature". JournalAZ.com. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
  5. ^ a b c Campbell, Katie (December 24, 2018). "Walt Blackman: A graduate of 'Real World U'". Arizona Capitol Times. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
  6. ^ "Who is Walt Blackman?". Walt Blackman – Candidate for Arizona. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
  7. ^ a b "House Member Walter Blackman". Azleg.gov. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
  8. ^ a b c "State Financial Disclosure Statement," March 16, 2020.
  9. ^ a b "Black Arizona Legislator Calling Black Lives Matter 'Terrorist' Group". Arizona Daily Independent. June 5, 2020. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
  10. ^ a b Rosenblatt, Dillon (June 4, 2020). "Black lawmaker calls BLM a terrorist organization". Arizona Capitol Times. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
  11. ^ Bob Christie (February 27, 2020). "House OKs Bill Letting Non-Violent Inmates Earn Time Off," US News & World Report.
  12. ^ a b Maria Polletta and Yvonne Wingett Sanchez (June 5, 2020). "Black GOP legislator Walter Blackman draws criticism after calling Black Lives Matter 'terrorist' group". Arizona Republic. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
  13. ^ Stern, Ray (June 4, 2020). "Arizona Rep. Walt Blackman: George Floyd Is 'Not a Hero,' BLM Is a 'Terrorist Organization'". Phoenix New Times.
  14. ^ Waltz, Adam (January 7, 2021). "Seven Arizonan Republican legislators face calls to ban them from the House and Senate". ABC 15 Arizona. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
  15. ^ Skabelund, Adrian (March 24, 2021). "Rep. Walt Blackman announces he's seeking seat in House". Arizona Daily Sun. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  16. ^ Andrew Kaczynski; Em Steck (October 13, 2021). "NRCC-supported candidate praised Proud Boys at September rally for Capitol rioters". CNN.

External links[]

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