Los Angeles, CA – The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) congratulates all reelected and newly elected members of California’s State Assembly and Senate. With several dozen supporters returning and many friends new to the legislature heading to Sacramento next month, ANCA community advocates throughout the state look forward to working swiftly with its state representatives as the new legislative cycle begins.

From the southern California and San Joaquin Valley, outspoken friends returning to the capital next month include Assembly Members Anthony Portantino, Mike Feuer, Kevin de Leon, Van Tran, Mary Salas, Mike Villines as well as newly elected State Senator Mimi Walters. Joining them in Sacramento will be newly elected Assembly Member Bob Blumenfield who will be replacing the termed-out Lloyd Levine representing the west San Fernando Valley.

Assembly Member Paul Krekorian returns to Sacramento next month representing part of Los Angeles along with Burbank and Glendale as one of two Armenian Americans in the legislature. He is joined by Senator Joe Simitian who won his re-election bid to represent San Mateo, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz.

“We are proud to see Assembly Member Krekorian continue his service to our district and state,” noted Garen Yegparian, a Burbank resident and activist with the local ANCA. “Since being elected in 2006, he has taken on strong leadership roles within the major committees of the Assembly while driving legislation that improves the quality of life for all Californians – especially with regard to schools and the environment,” he added.

Returning to the state capital next month with Krekorian is former Assembly Member Carol Liu who won her race to succeed Senator Jack Scott who completes his eight-year service in the Senate this year.

“Senator Scott was a true leader on human rights. He served as a distinguished member of the state’s upper house and helped build strong relationships between Armenia and California. We wish him well as returns to academia as the Chancellor of the state’s community college system,” stated the ANCA Board. “We look forward to continuing to address these issues with another long-time friend of the Armenian American community, Senator-elect Carol Liu, as she prepares to carry the torch passed on by Senator Scott.”

California State Assembly Speaker Karen Bass retained her seat and will continue to lead the chamber in the next cycle. The ANCA joined the speaker this past June for her inauguration ceremonies where she reiterated her support for greater education about the Armenian Genocide and growing the engagement Californian Armenians in public service.

Northern California communities welcomed the Election Day results as well.

“We are excited to see Assembly Members Huffman and Ma heading back to the capital as well as Mark Leno as he moves from the Assembly to the Senate,” said Matt Senekeremian, local director of the San Francisco Bay Area ANCA who says a top priority is to connect more Armenian Americans in the area with their representatives both in district and in Sacramento. “We have worked with San Francisco Supervisor Tom Ammiano for the past fifteen years and look forward to continuing to do so as he moves onto the state legislature,” he added.

Over 99% of ANCA endorsed candidates for California Senate and Assembly seats won their Election Day bids. The new legislature will be sworn in on December 1, 2008 in Sacramento.

The Armenian National Committee of America is the largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots political organization. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the United States and affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCA actively advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.

2008 ANCA ENDORSEMENTS AND ELECTION OUTCOMES

CA State Senate:
District 01 Dave Cox (R) – won election
District 03 Mark Leno (D) – won election
District 05 Greg Aghazarian (R) – defeated
District 07 Mark DeSaulnier (D) – won election
District 09 Loni Hancock (D) – won election
District 11 Joe Simitian (D) – won election
District 13 Elaine Alquist (D) – won election
District 15 Abel Maldonado (R) – won election
District 17 George Runner (R) – won election
District 21 Carol Liu (D)- Open Seat – won election
District 23 Fran Pavley (D) – won election
District 27 Alan Lowenthal (D) – won election
District 29 Bob Huff (R) – won election
District 31 Bob Dutton (R) – won election
District 33 Mimi Walters (R) – won election
District 35 Tom Harman (R) – won election
District 37 John Benoit (R) – won election
District 39 Christine Kehoe (D) – won election

CA State Assembly:
District 04 Ted Gaines (R) – won election
District 05 Roger Niello (R) – won election
District 06 Jared Huffman (D) – won election
District 07 Noreen Evans (D) – won election
District 09 Dave Jones (D) – won election
District 11 Tom Torlakson (D) – won election
District 12 Fiona Ma (D) – won election
District 13 Tom Ammiano (D) – won election
District 16 Sandre Swanson (D) – won election
District 17 Cathleen Galgiani (D) – won election
District 18 Mary Hayashi (D) – won election
District 20 Alberto Torrico (D) – won election
District 21 Ira Ruskin (D) – won election
District 23 Joe Coto (D) – won election
District 24 Jim Beall (D) – won election
District 25 Tom Berryhill (R) – won election
District 28 Anna Caballero (D) – won election
District 29 Mike Villines (R) – won election
District 31 Juan Arambula (D) – won election
District 32 Jean Fuller (D) – won election
District 35 Pedro Nava (D) – won election
District 37 Audra Strickland (R) – won election
District 38 Camron Smyth (R) – won election
District 39 Felipe Fuentes (D) – won election
District 40 Bob Blumenfield (D) – won election
District 41 Julia Brownley (D) – won election
District 42 Mike Feuer (D) – won election
District 43 Paul Krekorian (D) – won election
District 44 Anthony Portantino (D) – won election
District 45 Kevin de Leon (D) – won election
District 47 Karen Bass (D) – won election
District 48 Mike Davis (D) – won election
District 49 Mike Eng (D) – won election
District 50 Hector De La Torre (D) – won election
District 51 Curren Price (D) – won election
District 53 Ted Lieu (D) – won election
District 54 Bonnie Lowenthal (D) – won election
District 55 Warren Furutani (D) – won election
District 56 Tony Mendoza (D) – won election
District 57 Ed Hernandez (D) – won election
District 58 Charles Calderon (D) – won election
District 59 Anthony Adams (R) – won election
District 62 Wilmer Carter (D) – won election
District 63 Bill Emmerson (R) – won election
District 65 Paul Cook (R) – won election
District 66 Kevin Jeffries (R) – won election
District 67 Jim Silva (R) – won election
District 68 Van Tran (R) – won election
District 69 Jose Solorio (D) – won election
District 70 Chuck DeVore (R) – won election
District 72 Mike DuVall (R) – won election
District 74 Martin Garrick (R) – won election
District 76 Lori Saldana (D) – won election
District 79 Mary Salas (D) – won election

Updated