Los Angeles, CA – The ANC-WR is excited to welcome the participation of prominent political analyst Charles Mahtesian and ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian in an upcoming Federal Issues Town Hall Meeting set to take place on May 3, 2008 at the Universal Sheraton hotel. Registration begins at 8:00 am, followed by a breakfast and program which includes lunch. The event shall conclude by 4:00 pm.

Mahtesian is National Politics Editor for Politico and served as editor for the National Journal’s Almanac of American Politics, which is commonly referred to as “the bible of American politics.” Mahtesian will provide his insider analysis of United States Presidential elections, the upcoming Congressional elections and related issues. Hachikian will discuss Foreign Aid to Armenia, the Congressional Armenian Genocide resolutions, the upcoming hearings in the Senate regarding an Ambassador to Armenia and various other issues of concern to the community.

“We are excited to welcome Mr. Mahtesian back to California,” stated ANC-WR Executive Director Andrew Kzirian. “Along with ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian, we are prepared to provide the community with an energetic day of in-depth analysis and updates on issues that matter to Armenian Americans,” he added.

Prior to joining the Almanac, Mahtesian spent eight years as a national correspondent for Governing magazine, where he covered state legislatures, governors, and urban politics. He began his career reporting on elections and congressional redistricting for Congressional Quarterly, where he was also a contributing writer to the reference books, Politics in America and Congressional Districts in the 1990s.

Mahtesian has served as an election night analyst on National Public Radio and appeared on numerous radio and television programs, including NPR’s All Things Considered, C-Span’s Washington Journal, and on CNN and the BBC. He has written for a variety of newspapers, journals, and magazines including The Weekly Standard, Campaigns and Elections, and Congress Daily. He currently writes a monthly column on politics for Government Executive magazine. Mahtesian earned his bachelor’s degree in politics from Catholic University in Washington D.C. and his J.D. from American University.

In 2007, Mahtesian traveled to California for a series of special community briefings on the new Congressional leadership and the political changes that took place in both the House of Representatives and Senate.

In 2006, Mahtesian delivered the keynote address during the ANCA’s Leadership Conference held in Washington D.C. Mahtesian provided the conference attendees with a comprehensive overview of the political landscape in the 2006 general election.

Individuals interested in attending the ANC-WR Federal Town Hall meeting are encouraged to RSVP by calling ANC-WR Programs Coordinator Teresa Petrosyan at 818 500 1918.

The Armenian National Committee – 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 ANC-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.

Photo caption #1: Charles Mahtesian.

Photo caption #2: Ken Hachikian addresses the community at a Burbank town hall meeting in February 2007.