“From California to New York, Illinois to Georgia, yesterday’s primary elections marked a highpoint of Armenian American voter participation,” commented ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “The reports we have received from the grassroots are that a record number in our community went to the polls, and that enthusiasm is at an all time high in the states that have yet to hold primary votes.”

A high percentage of Armenian American voters are present in a number of key Super Tuesday states. In the Democratic Primary, Armenian Americans played an important role in California (441 delegates), New Jersey (127 delegates) and Massachusetts (121 delegates). On the Republican side, Armenians impacted the elections in California (173 delegates), New Jersey (52 delegates) and Massachusetts (43 delegates).

According to Ani Tchaghlasian, Chair of the New Jersey ANC, community members have been energized by the 2008 primary season. “I believe the close races in both parties and the ANCA’s endorsement of Senator Obama are driving our community to the election booth in record numbers,” she noted.

The Chairwoman of the San Francisco Bay Area ANC, Roxanne Makasdjian observed that Armenians in California played a critical role in the surge that Barack Obama’s campaign saw in the past couple of days. “The ANCA’s endorsement for Obama was really part of a perfect storm here in Northern California for the Illinois Senator. Clearly, given our large numbers in this state, the ANCA endorsement play an important role in giving a boost to Senator Obama’s campaign,” Makasdjian added.

Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton continue in a heated battle for the Democratic Presidential nomination, with additional primaries coming up on February 12th in Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia. Of the 24 Super Tuesday battles, Sen. Obama won 13 states to Sen. Clinton’s eight. With delegates assigned based on a complicated proportional formula, news reports show a near draw in the number of overall delegates.

On the Republican side, Sen. John McCain was victorious in 9 states, with formers governors Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee securing 7 and 5 states respectively. Sen. McCain now has a commanding lead in the delegate count as he gears up for upcoming primaries.

The remaining February and March Primary schedules include: