Primary Election Date: 05/29/2012
General Election Date: 11/06/2012

Who Am I?

I recently retired in April, 2011 from 20 years of service with the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Congressman Solomon Ortiz. In my desire to serve people and make a difference in communities, Iestablished a government affairs consulting firm, Blanchard & Associates International, LLC, with a team of government and legal experts to assist communities, non-profits, businesses, international organizations and advocacy groups to achieve public policy objectives.
I began my career in government service with Congressman Solomon Ortiz in 1991, as Special Projects Director. Later I was promoted to District Director in 1995 to oversee district operations between Brownsville and Corpus Christi. In 2005, I again was promoted to Deputy Chief of Staff and subsequently, became Chief of Staff in 2008 whereby I managed all operations and personnel for the Congressional office in Washington DC and district offices. I became the first Hispanic Woman to hold the Chief of Staff position for Congressman Ortiz and was one of nine Hispanic Chiefs of Staff on the Hill. The Imagen Foundation honored me in 2009 as Latina Leader in Washington DC. I had the opportunity to meet with political leaders, national and international leaders for various policy matters. I participated in a Mutual Cultural Exchange Program in the United Emirates and led a congressional staff delegation to Taiwan meeting with high level officials and government agency leaders to learn about their government, culture and people and issues.
Prior to entering government service for Congressman Ortiz in 991, I worked for the Brownsville/South Padre Island International Airport as Office Manager, Brownsville Economic Development Council and the Brownsville Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, my lifelong work experience also includes banking, sales, management, and education administration.
I have held a life-long dedication to service and making a difference in the lives of others and to community. Organizations I have served are: Burns Elementary Booster Club, PTA, North Brownsville Rotary Club, South Texas Talent Commission Narconon, Navy League, Friends of Laguna Atascosa, Mr. Amigo Association, United Women of Brownsville and founded the “Save Our Children” project and, House of Representatives Chief of Staff Association.
I proudly received my Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Texas at Brownsville. I am extremely proud of her three children, Shannon Green, Brandon and Sean Blanchard. It is her three grandchildren, Christian, Sebastian and soon to arrive, Kathryn, that reaffirm my passion and commitment to serving our community and our nation for which they and all young people today will inherit.

Why Am I Running?

I‟M RUNNING FOR CONGRESS FOR THREE SIMPLE REASONS:

ONE: WE CAN‟T AFFORD TWO MORE YEARS OF BLAKE FARENTHOLD. I‟M GOING TO PULL BACK THE CURTAIN AND SHOW HOW FARENTHHOLD‟S AMAZINGLY SHORT TENURE IN WASHINGTON HAS BEEN SO ECONOMICALLY DAMAGING TO SOUTH TEXAS.

TWO: TAKE MY YEARS OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND JOB CREATION EXPERIENCE TO HELP FUEL OUR SMALL BUSINESSES IN SOUTH TEXAS THAT ARE ON THE CUSP OF BREAKING OUT AND START HIRING AGAIN.

THREE: MAKE HISTORY IN SOUTH TEXAS BY BECOMING THE FIRST WOMAN ELECTED TO CONGRESS IN THIS DISTRICT AND FIRST LATINA FROM TEXAS.

Hold Me Accountable!

If you send me to Congress I'll help get the economy moving again in South Texas and I'll help attract new industries and create the jobs we need so people can get back to work, pay their bills, and take care of their families. Too many people are out of work in South Texas and our current Congressman hasn't done enough to get people back to work. That's why I will use my experience creating jobs to help attract new industries and new jobs to this area.

We owe our children more than a high school diploma followed by a college degree... We owe them a 21st Century Education that prepares them for the job market and workplace of the future so they're not just getting a job, but starting a career and leading South Texas and America to bigger and better things. Every child born in South Texas who excels in school and stays out of trouble after the bell rings should have a chance to achieve the American Dream. Today that starts with a college degree that is expensive and will likely require scholarships and/or loans, regardless of where their parents were born or how much money they are worth.

Finally, I will never vote to weaken Medicare. We all have parents and grandparents or family and friends who need it....Not just to go to the doctor but to survive. At a time when there are more questions than answers in the health care field, now is the time to re-double our efforts to strengthen Medicare, not weaken it. I don't believe Social Security is destined to fail. I believe we have to agree that we're going to save it like Democrats did in the 90's. That simple commitment led to record surpluses and extended the life of Social Security as far as the eye could see. We can do that again, and in Congress that's the approach I will take.

My DFA values:

My campaign embodies these values already. I have been working most of my adult life to better my community through economic development, job creation, and community service. Security is also important to me. When we lose our security we lose our economy. By working together we can make our community, state, and nation a better place to live and work. Every American deserves to be viewed as equal under the law. As a congresswoman I will work to ensure that America is the example, not the exception, in social justice issues.

My Campaign is People-Powered!

My campaign is powered by volunteers! I owe my volunteers everything and appreciate the work and sacrifice they give to my campaign daily. This campaign is focused around grassroots activity and its those activities that will propel this campaign to victory.