Los Angeles, CA —The Armenian National Committee of America announced today that it has endorsed Los Angeles City Council Member Antonio Villaraigosa for Mayor of Los Angeles.

The ANCA conducted a vigorous evaluation process in which it met with both Los Angeles Council Member Antonio Villaraigosa and incumbent Mayor James Hahn on multiple occasions in order to make an informed decision.

“We have met with the candidates and, after careful consideration, have decided that the City of Los Angeles needs the kind of energetic and visionary leadership Antonio Villaraigosa offers to the hundreds of thousands of Armenian Americans who call Los Angeles home” stated ANCA board member Steven J. Dadaian. “Having worked closely with Antonio over the past decade on the city, state and national levels, it is clear that he possesses both a keen understanding of the unique diversity of Los Angeles and has a deep appreciation for the Armenian community. He has the skills and energy necessary to unite and lead Los Angeles toward a brighter future.”

Villaraigosa has worked closely with the Armenian American community and the ANCA throughout his years as a Los Angeles City Council Member and Speaker of the California State Assembly. As Speaker, he led the effort to include the Armenian Genocide in the state’s mandatory curriculum for public education as well as outlawing foreign governments like Turkey from endowing chairs in state universities with the intent of conducting work to deny the Armenian Genocide. “I am thrilled to receive this endorsement and upon election as mayor pledge to continue working closely with the ANCA to make sure the Armenian American community has a seat at the table in the life and future direction of the city,” said Antonio Villaraigosa.

The ANCA encourages Armenian Americans to vote for Antonio Villaraigosa for Mayor of Los Angeles during the run-off election on Tuesday, May 17.