Today we’d like to introduce you to Zac Blanchard.
Hi Zac, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I’m from South Louisiana and first came to Maryland to attend the Naval Academy.
I then served in the Marine Corps, and followed my wife to Baltimore, getting stationed at the Naval Academy to teach American Government. We’ve been intentional about building community where we live – I’ve been involved in our church, in our neighborhood association, and as a football coach at Digital Harbor High School.
Outside of my neighborhood involvement, I’m also very passionate about making better neighborhoods, where people have both a sense of place and a sense of community. Along the way, I’ve gotten involved with efforts to do everything from improving public transit and walkability to preventing violent crime.
Being so involved in the community, I’ve interacted with our incumbent councilman on multiple occasions. I’ve frequently disagreed with him on policy decisions and had a couple of personal interactions where I felt strongly that he was abusing his position of power.
In the middle of all that, a friend who had recently run for office encouraged me to consider running. After about 4 or 5 months of my wife and I thinking about it, we decided this summer that I was going to run for the council district when I left the Marine Corps in October.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Honestly, I think the biggest challenge has been balancing running for office with parenting a toddler, especially with a spouse who’s in med school.
I love knocking on doors and going to meet-and-greets and talking to people about what I want for Baltimore, and I don’t mind the “pressure” of being a little more in the public eye, but it is tough to not spend as much time with your little one, and always worrying about finding babysitters is pretty draining too.
Thankfully, we’ve got several friends in the neighborhood who have done more than their share of babysitting, which we are so thankful for.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
So I’m running for Baltimore City’s 11th District – that’s Downtown, a lot of Midtown (the area between Downtown and North Avenue), and most of the peninsula.
I have been extremely passionate about making better neighborhoods (think vibrant main streets, walkable, sense of place, good schools, safe, etc.). My community involvement speaks to that, and I think my previous career (I got out of the Marine Corps this summer) is a testament to my commitment to public service.
I’m also one of the City’s first candidates to ever use the Fair Election Fund, so I’ll never accept a contribution above $150. My funding is grassroots, almost all from City residents, so you know that when I say I think something is good for Baltimore, I believe – I’m not just supporting something because a major donor wants me to.
How do you define success?
Success, for me, is winning this race. I’m not running to get my name out, or to make a point, or to “lay the groundwork.” I’m running to win the election for Baltimore’s 11th District and start implementing some of the changes our city needs. I believe the best way for me to do that is in the office.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.blanchardforbaltimore.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blanchardforbaltimore/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zac-blanchard-8822a18b/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/blanchard4bmore
Photo Credit
Valerie Woody (bottom photo)
