The Armenian National Committee of America Western Region (ANCA-WR) is proud to announce its 2014 General Election endorsements, helping Armenian Americans demonstrate their electoral strength to those federal, state, and local candidates who have proven their ability and intention to best serve the communities they will represent.
“It is our mission to continue to empower Armenian American voters to cast informed votes at the ballot box on November 4,” remarked ANCA-WR Chair, Nora Hovsepian. “These endorsements are largely based on candidates’ responses to our questionnaires, detailed in-person interviews, and our conclusion that the endorsed candidates are in the best position and have shown the greatest commitment toward supporting issues important to the Armenian American community.”
Armenian American voters across the United States are urged to exercise their right to vote in the General Election on November 4th and lend their support to the candidates who have been steadfast advocates of the Armenian Cause. Many of the elections taking place are going to be won by a very slim margin. It is imperative that every eligible citizen cast his or her vote in this General Election. The ANCA-WR seeks to maximize the value of each individual vote and launched the Hye Votes initiative in 2012 toward that goal, registering thousands of new voters and encouraging all voters to cast their timely ballots. Today, its dedicated team of volunteers and coalition partners are still working tirelessly to ensure high voter turnout among the Armenian-American community.
The 2014 General Election will take place on November 4, 2014. In order to vote, you must be registered. The ANCA-WR urges community members who are U.S. citizens and over the age of 18 not yet registered to vote, to register by the October 20, 2014 deadline. To register to vote online, request a vote by mail ballot or obtain additional information, contact ANCA WR Hye Votes office at (818) 806-8683, or visit www.hyevotes.org.
The ANCA WR’s list of endorsements include:
California Statewide Races
Jerry Brown (D) Governor
Gavin Newsom (D) Lieutenant Governor
Alex Padilla (D) Secretary of State
John Chiang (D) State Treasurer
Kamala Harris (D) Attorney General
Betty Yee (D) State Controller
Tom Torlakson (D) Superintendent of Public Instruction
California State Senate
Kevin De Leon (D – 22) Chinatown, Eagle Rock, East Hollywood, East Los Angeles, Little Armenia
Robert Hertzberg (D – 18) Pacoima, Sylmar, Toluca Lake, Sherman Oaks, Sun Valley, Van Nuys
Tony Mendoza (D – 32) Downey, Montebello, Norwalk, Pico Rivera
Jose Solorio (D – 34) Anaheim, Fountain Valley, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, Long Beach, Santa Ana
California State Assembly
Katcho Achadjian (R – 35) San Luis Obispo
Cheryl Brown (D – 47) Fontana, Rialto, San Bernardino
Ian Calderon (D – 57) Hacienda Heights, La Mirada, Whittier
Matt Dababneh (D – 45) Calabasas, Canoga Park, Encino, Northridge, Reseda, Woodland Hills
Steve Fox (D – 36) Lancaster, Palmdale
Mike Gatto (D-43) Hollywood, Glendale, Burbank, Silverlake
Chris Holden (D – 41) Pasadena, San Dimas
Al Murasachi (D-66) Torrance
Adrin Nazarian (D – 46) Hollywood Hills, Panorama City, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Van Nuys
Kristen Olsen (R – 12) Stockton, Tracy
Jim Patterson (R – 23) Fresno
Scott Wilk (R – 38) Santa Clarita
Los Angeles County Races
Bobby Shirver (D) LA County Supervisor-3 (Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Santa Monica, Van Nuys)
Hilda Solis (D) for LA County Supervisor-1 (Downtown LA, Montebello, Pico Rivera)
Jim McDonnell for LA County Sheriff
Jeffrey Prang for LA County Assessor
Arizona Statewide Endorsements
Doug Ducey ( R ) for Governor
Michele Reagan ( R ) for Secretary of State
The ANCA federal level endorsements will be released in the coming week. Endorsements are based primarily on ANCA Congressional Report Cards, a detailed review of each incumbent’s record across a broad range of Armenian American issues. Report Cards, prepared in consultation with regional leaders and local ANCA chapters across the country, cover issues ranging from securing justice for the Armenian Genocide and the strengthening U.S.-Armenia relations to defending Nagorno Karabakh’s independence, and increasing U.S. aid and trade levels. To view the ANCA report cards visit http://www.anca.org/legislative_center/election_reportcards.php
The Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region is the largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots advocacy organization in the Western United States. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the Western United States and affiliated organizations around the country, the ANCA-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.