Alex Blanco is an American politician and mayor of Passaic, New Jersey

Passaic, New Jersey

Passaic is a city in Passaic County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 69,781, maintaining its status as the 15th largest municipality in New Jersey with an increase of 1,920 residents from the 2000 Census population of 67,861...

, United States. He is the first elected and second serving Dominican-American

Dominican American

A Dominican American is any American who has origins in the Dominican Republic.Immigration records of Dominicans in the United States date from the late 19th century, and New York City has had a Dominican community since the 1930s...

 mayor in the United States .

Biography

Alex Blanco was born in the Dominican Republic in 1972. In 1984, when Alex was 12-years old, he emigrated from La Vega Province to Passaic with his mother, stepfather, and two siblings. Blanco's family struggled financially and received foodstamp

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

The United States Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program , historically and commonly known as the Food Stamp Program, is a federal-assistance program that provides assistance to low- and no-income people and families living in the U.S. Though the program is administered by the U.S. Department of...

s for a time during Alex's childhood. He was paid by the Passaic School Board for taking the SAT

SAT

The SAT Reasoning Test is a standardized test for college admissions in the United States. The SAT is owned, published, and developed by the College Board, a nonprofit organization in the United States. It was formerly developed, published, and scored by the Educational Testing Service which still...

's. Blanco graduated Kean University

Kean University

Kean University is a coeducational, public research university located in Union and Hillside, New Jersey, United States. Kean University serves its students in the liberal arts, the sciences, and the professions with a dedication to intellectual and cultural growth and is best known for its...

 and New York College of Podiatric Medicine

New York College of Podiatric Medicine

The New York College of Podiatric Medicine is a private specialized college located at 53 East 124th Street, Harlem, in New York City. Founded in 1911, NYCPM was the first Podiatric Medical school established in the United States. NYCPM was founded by Dr. Maurice J. Lewi, a physician who decided a...

.

Blanco was first elected in November 2008 in a special election to complete the unexpired term of former Mayor Samuel Rivera

Samuel Rivera

Samuel Rivera was the Democratic mayor of the U.S. city of Passaic, New Jersey, from 2001 until 2008. Rivera came to national attention on September 6, 2007, when he was indicted and arrested on charges of accepting bribes in exchange for agreeing to direct municipal contracts to an insurance...

, who resigned after pleading guilty to attempted extortion. He received around twenty eight percent of the 13,769 votes. In April 2009, Blanco announced he was running for a full-term, and was endorsed by Senator Bob Menendez. Blanco won a full four year term in the May election, defeating city supervisor Vincent Capuana. He was sworn in July 1, 2009, when he began serving his four-year term.

Blanco was described as the "classic American success story" by Gary Schaer

Gary Schaer

Gary Schaer is an American Democratic Party politician who serves in the New Jersey General Assembly where he represents the 36th legislative district, having taken office on January 10, 2006, and on the Passaic, New Jersey City Council where he is the council president...

, who Blanco replaced as acting Mayor in the 2008 special election.