Candidate Profile: John Blankley For 36th State Senate Seat

GREENWICH, CT — The special election for the 36th State Senate seat will be held on Aug. 17. The district represents all of Greenwich and a portion of Stamford and New Canaan. Three candidates — all Greenwich residents — are running in the race: John Blankley (unaffiliated), Ryan Fazio (Republican), and Alexis Gevanter (Democrat).

The special election was called by Gov. Ned Lamont following the sudden resignation of Democrat Alex Kasser in June.

Patch asked the candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles leading up to Election Day.

John Blankley

• Age as of Election Day: 73
• Party affiliation: Unaffiliated. Petition Candidate
• Family: Wife Vera of 52 years. Three children and five grandchildren
• Occupation: Businessman, 50 years
• Previous elected experience: Greenwich RTM, BET
• Family members in government: Yes
• Campaign website: www.blankley36.com

The single most pressing issue facing our state is: Economic development and job growth.

I will promote major shipping/port development to take trucks off the roads, relieve congestion and reduce pollution

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I have big business, entrepreneurial business and local government experience unmatched by my opponents

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

Major multi-hundred million infrastructure projects, many IPO and bond deals including the largest high-yield deal ever done at the time (1994). Handling budgets many times the size of CT's budgets. Founding and growing a business in Connecticut creating dozens of new jobs, starting a solar business that became the largest in Europe. Participating with others, across the aisle, to build a new school in Greenwich, ditto with a new town swimming pool. Using political force to have a new high school auditorium built.

All of the above required force of will and perseverance; planning, motivating others, organizing and executing. Skill and experience produced these successful results and will do so again in the state senate.

Do you believe Connecticut needs reform when it comes to electric utility oversight? What steps, if any should be taken?

The Governor is taking the right steps to make PURA more business oriented so that utilities are rewarded for achievement and penalized for poor performance. I will support his efforts in this regard

What steps should state government take to bolster economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic for local businesses?

State grants and loans in addition to federal payroll protection programs are already available but should be promoted more heavily.

List other issues that define your campaign platform

An Office for Gun Violence Prevention needs to be created. Early voting and no excuse absentee ballots are needed to further enhance voter participation. Economic growth depends also on enhancing the state reputation for good education and especially on the further promotion of technical schools and colleges.