HOLLYWOOD, CA – Former Democratic Presidential Candidate Governor Howard Dean was a special guest at a fundraiser for Los Angeles Councilman Eric Garcetti on Tuesday, November 30, 2004. A near capacity audience turned out to support Councilman Garcetti and to meet the former Governmor of Vermont. Members of the Hollywood Armenian National Committee (ANC) were on hand to show support for Councilman Garcetti. Councilman Garcetti’s district includes the Little Armenia portion of Hollywood. Garcetti has been a long-time supporter of Armenian American issues and his district is home to one of the oldest Armenian communities in Los Angeles.

“Councilman Garcetti’s leadership and support have always been appreciated, and we support him in any way we can,” stated Garo Ispendjian, a former board member of the Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region who attended the reception. “It was an honor to meet Gov. Dean and have the opportunity to discuss how Armenian Americans can channel their energy to get involved in politics,” Ispendjian added.

After initial successes in his bid for the Democratic party’s nomination for President, Gov. Dean’s campaign fell behind other front runners like eventual nominee Sen. John Kerry and Sen. John Edwards but his successes in mobilizing supporters via the internet and setting internet campaing fundraising records have influenced the Democratic party’s plans for the future. Gov. Dean’s name has been mentioned in numerous political circles as a likely successor to current Democratic Party National Chairman Terry McAuliffe.