GLENDALE, CA –The Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region (ANCA-WR) urges Armenian Americans to make informed decisions at the ballot box on June 8th as we approach one of the most competitive and important primary elections in years. With that in mind, the following are some of the key races of importance to Armenian Americans.

California’s 33rd Assembly District

San Luis Obispo County Supervisor Katcho Achadjian is running for a seat in the California State Assembly in the 33rd District. As a three-term County Supervisor, Katcho has proven his dedication to his community. He has fought diligently to protect taxpayers, property rights and public safety while making an effort to hold down the cost of government. He is running against three other Republicans in the June primary. Achadjian enjoys the support of Former Governor George Deukmejian, Congressman Kevin McCarthy, Lieutenant Governor of California & Former State Senator Abel Maldonado, and numerous other elected officials and organizations. If elected, Achadjian will be the only Armenian American member of State Assembly.

California’s 43rd Assembly District – Special Election AND Primary

The ANCA-WR has issued an open endorsement for the 43rd Assembly District (43rd AD) Special Election Runoff Election. The ANCA-WR is endorsing both candidates – Republican candidate Sunder Ramani and Democratic candidate Mike Gatto – for the Special Election runoff on June 8th. The ANCA-WR has worked closely with both candidates and organized televised town halls during which the candidates have had an opportunity to present their platforms. The winner of this Special Election runoff will fill the seat vacated by former California State Assemblyman Paul Krekorian. June 8th will also serve as a primary election for this seat for the November General Election.

US Senate – Nevada

A large and growing Armenian American community in Nevada has been supporting Danny Tarkanian in the Republican primary for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Harry Reid. Tarkanian, a graduate of the University of San Diego Law School, is a successful businessman and dedicated husband and father. Tarkanian is known as a strong conservative who is a proven vote getter in Nevada. Only four years ago, Tarkanian won the Republican primary and garnered over 230,000 votes in his race for Nevada Secretary of State. He is matched against eight other Republican candidates, including former Nevada Republican Party leader Sue Lowden and Sharron Angle, in the June 8, 2010 Republican U.S. Senate Primary. He is the only candidate in the Republican Primary to speak publicly in support of the views and values of Nevada’s Armenian American community. A victory in the June 8th primary will take Tarkanian one step closer to becoming the first Armenian American to serve in the U.S. Senate.

California’s 36th Congressional District

An important Congressional race for the Armenian American community is the 36th Congressional District race. Marcy Winograd, a long time educator, is challenging longtime Congresswoman Jane Harman (D-36) in the Democratic primary. Winograd is considered a leader within State Democratic Party circles, as president of Progressive Democrats of America (Los Angeles chapter), co-founder of L.A. Jews for Peace, and the Co-Chair of the State Party’s Foreign Policy Committee of the Progressive Caucus. Winograd has pledged to support issues of concern to the Armenian American community and fight for justice for the Armenian Genocide if elected to Congress.

“This election cycle presents tremendous opportunities for Armenian Americans to express themselves through voting and we encourage all Armenian Americans to go to the polls on June 8th,” said ANCA-WR Government Relations Director Lerna Shirinian.

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.