Rick Blangiardi

Blangiardi was born on September 15, 1946,{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/266447911/?terms=rick%2Bblangiardi |title=29 Aug 2014, C3 – Honolulu Star-Advertiser at |publisher=Newspapers.com |date=August 29, 2014 |access-date=September 25, 2020}} in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and was raised there in a tenement.{{cite news |url=https://www.civilbeat.org/2020/07/rick-blangiardi-this-former-tv-exec-wants-to-be-ceo-of-honolulu/ |title=Rick Blangiardi: This Former TV Exec Wants To Be CEO Of Honolulu |date=July 9, 2020 |newspaper=Honolulul Civil Beat |first=Christina |last=Jedra |access-date=November 28, 2020 }} He signed a letter of intent to play college football for Boston College, but when his father, a munitions expert in the United States Navy, was transferred to Naval Station Pearl Harbor, he chose to attend the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Blangiardi played football for the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors as a linebacker;{{cite web|author=Michael Malone |url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/gm-blangiardi-coaches-surging-squad-victory-114331 |title=GM Blangiardi CoachesSurging Squad to Victory | Broadcasting+Cable |publisher=Nexttv.com |date=April 8, 2013 |access-date=August 7, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.hawaiipublicradio.org/post/sit-down-candidates-honolulu-mayor-rick-blangiardi|title=Sit-Down With Candidates For Honolulu Mayor: Rick Blangiardi|first=Ryan|last=Finnerty|work=Hawaii News Now|date=July 16, 2020|access-date=August 9, 2020}} he was a letterman for the Rainbow Warriors in 1965 and 1966.

When his mother moved back to Massachusetts, Blangiardi transferred to Springfield College, where he played for the football team and completed his Bachelor of Science in physical education and biology in 1969. From 1972 to 1976, he served as an assistant coach for the Rainbow Warriors under head coaches Dave Holmes and Larry Price. Blangiardi was the defensive coordinator and associate head coach under Price.{{cite web|url=https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/38165471/blangiardi-sits-down-to-talk-about-being-inducted-into-hawaii-sports-circle-of-honor|title=Blangiardi sits down to talk about being inducted into Hawaii Sports Circle of Honor|first=David|last=McCracken|work=Hawaii News Now|access-date=August 9, 2020}} He earned a Master of Arts in educational administration at the University of Hawaiʻi in 1973.

Needing more income to raise his family, Blangiardi left football to work in television. He worked at KGMB from 1977 to 1984. He was vice president and general manager of KIKU (now KHNL) from 1984 to 1989. Blangiardi left Hawaii to become the general manager of KING-TV in Seattle in October 1989. He was fired in February 1992, when the station was sold to new owners.{{cite web|author=Kit Boss |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=19920225&slug=1477741 |title=Blangiardi Fired As General Manager At King Broadcasting |work=The Seattle Times|date=February 25, 1992 |access-date=August 7, 2020}} CBS hired him as vice president of new business in June 1992.{{cite web|url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=19920617&slug=1497629 |title=Rick Blangiardi Named To V.P. Position At CBS |work=The Seattle Times|date=June 17, 1992 |access-date=August 7, 2020}}

In 1993, he became vice president and general manager at KPIX-TV in San Francisco.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/273704668/?terms=rick%2Bblangiardi |title=16 Sep 1993, 52 – Honolulu Star-Bulletin at |publisher=Newspapers.com |date=September 16, 1993 |access-date=September 25, 2020}} He was hired as president of River City Broadcasting in St. Louis in 1994, and after its sale to Sinclair Broadcast Group, became the chief executive officer of the Premier Horse Network in 1997. He worked as chief operating officer and managing director of the talent firm Brad Marks International in 1999, and was hired that year by Telemundo to oversee its eight affiliates.{{cite web|author=Michael Schneider |url=https://variety.com/1999/biz/news/telemundo-taps-blangiardi-1117758223/ |title=Telemundo taps Blangiardi |publisher=Variety |date=November 18, 1999 |access-date=August 7, 2020}}

In 2002, Blangiardi returned to Hawaii as the senior vice president and general manager of KHON-TV and KGMB.{{cite web|url=http://archives.starbulletin.com/2002/07/10/business/engle.html |title=Blangiardi is back in Hawaii TV|publisher=Archives.starbulletin.com |first=Erika|last=Engle|date=July 10, 2002 |access-date=August 7, 2020}}{{cite web|url=http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2002/Jul/10/bz/bz04a.html |title=TV exec back in Hawai'i to head KHON, KGMB | The Honolulu Advertiser | Hawaii's Newspaper |publisher=The Honolulu Advertiser |date=July 10, 2002 |access-date=August 7, 2020}} He left KHON in 2006 when Emmis Communications sold the station.{{cite web|url=http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2006/Jan/12/br/br06p.html |title=KHON-2's new owner to lay off one-third of station's staff | The Honolulu Advertiser | Hawaii's Newspaper |publisher=The Honolulu Advertiser |date=January 12, 2006 |access-date=August 9, 2020}} After the 2008 recession, Blangiardi led the consolidation of KGMB and KHNL into Hawaii News Now.

In January 2020, Blangiardi announced his retirement from television.{{cite web|url=https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2020/01/02/rick-blangiardi-hnn-general-manager-announces-hes-retiring-considering-run-honolulu-mayor/|title=HNN General Manager Rick Blangiardi announces he is retiring, considering run for mayor|first=H. N. N.|last=Staff|work=Hawaii News Now|date=January 2, 2020|access-date=August 9, 2020}} The next month, he announced his candidacy in the 2020 Honolulu mayoral election.{{cite web|url=https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2020/02/12/former-hnn-general-manager-rick-blangiardi-announces-run-mayor/|title=Former HNN General Manager Rick Blangiardi announces run for mayor|work=Hawaii News Now|date=February 12, 2020|access-date=August 9, 2020}} He was endorsed by former Republican governor Linda Lingle,{{cite news |last1=Pang |first1=Gordon Y.K. |title=Rick Blangiardi, Colleen Hanabusa lead Honolulu mayoral field, poll finds |url=https://www.staradvertiser.com/2020/07/26/hawaii-news/rick-blangiardi-colleen-hanabusa-lead-honolulu-mayoral-field-poll-finds/ |access-date=July 27, 2020 |work=Honolulu Star-Advertiser |date=July 26, 2020 |quote=Blangiardi, who's receiving a rare endorsement from former GOP Gov. Linda Lingle...}} the University of Hawaiʻi Professional Assembly,{{cite web|date=September 26, 2020 |title=UHPA Endorses Mayoral Candidate Rick Blangiardi |url=https://www.uhpa.org/political/archive-endorsements/uhpa-endorses-mayoral-candidate-rick-blangiardi/ |website=University of Hawaiʻi Professional Assembly |publisher=University of Hawaiʻi Professional Assembly |access-date=December 30, 2021}} and the State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers (SHOPO) (the Honolulu Police Department's police union).{{cite news |title=Police Union Backs Blangiardi For Mayor Of Honolulu |url=https://www.civilbeat.org/beat/police-union-backs-blangiardi-for-mayor-of-honolulu/#comments |access-date=May 12, 2020 |work=Honolulu Civil Beat |date=May 12, 2020}}

In the August 8 nonpartisan blanket primary, Blangiardi finished first with 25.7% of the vote.{{cite web |last=Pang |first=Gordon Y. K. |date=August 9, 2020 |title=Newcomers Rick Blangiardi and Keith Amemiya to face off in November for Honolulu mayoral seat |url=https://www.staradvertiser.com/2020/08/08/breaking-news/newcomers-rick-blangiardi-and-keith-amemiya-on-top-of-early-honolulu-mayoral-returns/ |access-date=August 9, 2020 |website=Honolulu Star-Advertiser}} He defeated Keith Amemiya, 58.2% to 38.8%, in the November general election,{{Cite web |date=November 4, 2020 |title=Honolulu Mayor: Rick Blangiardi Declares Victory, Keith Amemiya Concedes |url=https://www.civilbeat.org/2020/11/honolulu-mayor-rick-blangiardi-has-big-lead-over-keith-amemiya/}} and was sworn into office on January 2, 2021.{{Cite web |title=After taking oath of office as mayor, Blangiardi warns road ahead won't be easy |url=https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2021/01/02/blangiardi-be-sworn-honolulus-mayor-city-hall-ceremony/}}

Blangiardi delivered his first State of the City address on March 15, 2021. He outlined his agenda and goals for the city, as well as discussing his budget plan and accomplishments so far. His outlined goals included expanding affordable housing, closing the funding gap in the Honolulu Rail Project, lifting pandemic restrictions, revitalizing the city's Chinatown, and protecting the city from the effects of climate change.{{Cite web |date=March 15, 2021 |title=Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi delivers first ‘State of the City’ address |url=https://www.khon2.com/local-news/honolulu-mayor-rick-blangiardi-delivers-first-state-of-the-city-address/ |access-date=November 29, 2023 |website=KHON2 |language=en-US}}

Blangiardi presented a $2.9 billion budget to the City Council on March 2, 2022. One of the goals was to ensure city workers would be protected from pay cuts or reductions. Blangiardi had to make budget cuts due to deficits created by a lack of revenue during the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web |date=March 2, 2021 |title=Honolulu Mayor outlines FY22 budget: ‘When you have less money, things have to happen’ |url=https://www.khon2.com/local-news/honolulu-mayor-rick-blangiardi-to-discuss-city-budget-for-2022/ |access-date=November 29, 2023 |website=KHON2 |language=en-US}}

On March 31, 2023, Blangiardi signed a bill into law that established "gun-free" locations to prevent concealed-carry at a number of public places. At the signing ceremony, Blangiardi said, "We're not a gun carrying society and we're not gonna do anything that's gonna condone that."{{cite news |date=March 31, 2023 |title=Mayor signs bill that bans guns in ‘sensitive places,’ including schools and hospitals |agency=Hawaii News Now |url=https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2023/03/31/honolulu-mayor-blangiardi-sign-bill-that-would-restrict-guns-sensitive-places/}}

In April 2023, Blangiardi announced candidates for the Oahu Historic Preservation Commission, which was established to preserve historic landmarks in Oahu.{{Cite web |date=April 11, 2023 |title=Blangiardi appoints commissioners to protect Oʻahu's historic landmarks |url=https://www.hawaiipublicradio.org/local-news/2023-04-11/blangiardi-appoints-commissioners-to-protect-o%CA%BBahus-historic-landmarks |access-date=November 29, 2023 |website=Hawai'i Public Radio |language=en}} Legislation for the commission was passed in 1990, but commissioners weren't appointed until 2023, when city council members Esther Kia'āina and Tommy Waters reintroduced it. The Commission is responsible for protecting and developing guidelines and regulations for the preservation of historic sites in Oahu.{{Cite web |last=HistoricHawaii |title=Oahu Historic Preservation Commission members appointed |url=https://historichawaii.org/2023/05/22/oahuprescommissionmembersappointed/ |access-date=November 29, 2023 |website=Historic Hawaii Foundation |language=en-US}}

{{See also|2024 Honolulu mayoral election}}

Blangiardi announced in early 2023 that he would be running for re-election.{{Cite web |last=Naktin |first=Eric |date=April 30, 2023 |title=Mayor Blangiardi energized to pursue second term |url=https://www.kitv.com/news/local/mayor-blangiardi-energized-to-pursue-second-term/article_b1a7b054-e7e3-11ed-91ae-23a0cca5a612.html |access-date=November 29, 2023 |website=KITV Island News |language=en}}

In August 2023, Blangiardi was reported to have raised $600,000 for re-election efforts, according to his campaign disclosures with the state Campaign Spending Commission. Blangiardi has held few fundraisers or events for re-election, and stated, "We're focused on the work. Job performance is what gets you reelected."{{Cite web |last=Kew |first=Allan |date=August 4, 2023 |title=Fundraising For Mayor’s 2024 Campaign Is Off To A Quiet Start |url=https://www.civilbeat.org/2023/08/fundraising-for-mayors-2024-campaign-is-off-to-a-slow-start/ |access-date=November 29, 2023 |website=Honolulu Civil Beat |language=en}} No prominent opponents had announced candidacies, and as a result, Blangiardi won a second term outright in the August 10 primary election with 79% of the votes. His next closest challenger, Choon James, received 13% of votes cast.{{Cite web |last=Board |first=The Sunshine Editorial |date=October 12, 2023 |title=The Sunshine Blog: Blangiardi Builds His War Chest |url=https://www.civilbeat.org/2023/10/the-sunshine-blog-blangiardi-builds-his-war-chest/ |access-date=November 29, 2023 |website=Honolulu Civil Beat |language=en}}

In the fourth quarter of 2021 and the first quarter of 2022, Blangiardi began to focus his attention on Honolulu's COVID restrictions. One of his first COVID-related policies was "Safe Access O'ahu", implemented in October 2021. This policy enacted a selective requirement on some forms of business that all persons who enter or work at the establishment have proof of full COVID-19 vaccination. Blangiardi also implemented a restriction on the number of people allowed in some gatherings: 10 for indoor events and 25 for outdoor events. While there was quite a bit of support for these policies, several groups were outwardly against them.{{Cite web |date=September 2, 2021 |title=Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi clashes with anti-vax demonstrators |url=https://news.yahoo.com/honolulu-mayor-rick-blangiardi-clashes-161300501.html |access-date=December 6, 2023 |website=Yahoo News |language=en-US}}

About two months after the "Safe Access O'ahu" and gathering restrictions went into effect, Blangiardi began to walk them back. In late November 2021, it was announced that capacity restrictions placed on businesses would be lifted provided that patrons have proof of being COVID-negative at least 48 hours before their visit.{{Cite web |title=HTA Response to Mayor Blangiardi Announcement |url=http://www.hawaiitourismauthority.org/news/news-releases/2021/hta-response-to-mayor-blangiardi-announcement/ |access-date=December 6, 2023 |website=Hawaii Tourism Authority |language=english}} Blangiardi received some backlash for easing the policy, due to an increase of positive COVID cases as a result of the then-increasing Omicron variant.{{Cite web |last=Hofschneider |first=Anita |date=December 30, 2021 |title=Defiant Honolulu Mayor Defends His Approach To Omicron Surge |url=https://www.civilbeat.org/2021/12/defiant-honolulu-mayor-defends-his-approach-to-omicron-surge/ |access-date=December 6, 2023 |website=Honolulu Civil Beat |language=en}}

Blangiardi has been described as conservative and in 2004 and 2005 donated to George W. Bush and the Republican Party, respectively, but is not a registered member of the Republican Party and is labeled an independent.{{cite web |date=July 18, 2020 |title=2020 Election: Rick Blangiardi |url=https://www.staradvertiser.com/2020/07/18/election/2020-election-rick-blangiardi/ |access-date=August 10, 2021 |website=Honolulu Star-Advertiser}}{{cite web |last1=A 501tax-exempt |first1=OpenSecrets |last2=NW |first2=charitable organization 1300 L. St |last3=Washington |first3=Suite 200 |last4=info |first4=DC 20005 telelphone857-0044 |title=Donor Lookup |url=https://www.opensecrets.org/donor-lookup/results?name=Rick+Blangiardi |access-date=August 10, 2021 |website=OpenSecrets |language=en}}{{cite web |date=November 9, 2020 |title=What Local Election Results Reveal About Hawaii's Politics |url=https://www.hawaiipublicradio.org/government-politics/2020-11-09/what-local-election-results-reveal-about-hawaiis-politics |access-date=August 10, 2021 |website=Hawai'i Public Radio |language=en}}

Blangiardi voted for Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential election, and said, "I think a lot of his policies, despite his personal antics, have been effective". He also said that he has voted for both Democrats and Republicans in the past.{{Cite web |last=Richardson |first=Mahealani |title=As general election nears, party politics takes center stage in nonpartisan mayoral race |url=https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2020/10/19/attack-ad-bad-blood-honolulu-mayoral-race/ |access-date=November 16, 2022 |website=Hawaii News Now |language=en}}

Blangiardi has three children{{cite news |url=https://labusinessjournal.com/news/2001/jul/23/interview-crossing-cultures/ |title=INTERVIEW—Crossing Cultures |work=Los Angeles Business Journal |date=July 23, 2001 |access-date=August 9, 2020}} and five grandchildren{{Citation needed|date=December 2023}}. He lives with his wife Karen Chang in Honolulu. Blangiardi is a board member for the YMCA, American Red Cross, and a Hawaii food bank.{{Citation needed|date=December 2023}} Blangiardi grew up in an immigrant household speaking Italian and English.{{cite news |url=https://www.civilbeat.org/2020/07/rick-blangiardi-this-former-tv-exec-wants-to-be-ceo-of-honolulu/ |title=Rick Blangiardi: This Former TV Exec Wants To Be CEO Of Honolulu |newspaper=Honolulu Civil Beat |date=July 9, 2020 |access-date=June 12, 2023 |first=Christina |last=Jedra}}

{{reflist}}

• {{Official website|https://www.honolulu.gov/mayor.html}}
• [https://www.rickblangiardiformayor.com/ Campaign website]

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Category:1946 births

Category:21st-century mayors of places in Hawaii

Category:American football linebackers

Category:American television executives

Category:Hawaii independents

Category:Hawaii Rainbow Warriors football coaches

Category:Hawaii Rainbow Warriors football players

Category:Living people

Category:Mayors of Honolulu

Category:Politicians from Cambridge, Massachusetts

Category:Springfield Pride football players

Category:Springfield College alumni

Category:University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa alumni

Category:American people of Italian descent