WASHINGTON, DC – The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) interns got an insider’s view of the 110th Congress and 2008 election prospects this week, as Charles Mahtesian, Esq., the highly regarded editor of the “Almanac of American Politics”, joined the team of summer lecturers for the ANCA’s “Leo Sarkisian” internship program.

Mahtesian discussed the impact of California’s decision to move their primaries up to February, making the state a front-runner in the Presidential nomination process. He also addressed Armenian Genocide legislation before Congress (H.Res.106 & S.Res.106) and the electoral significance of Armenian American voters in Southern California and across the nation. More broadly, he provided a comprehensive overview of the political landscape leading up to the 2008 elections.

“The information that Charlie Mahtesian shared with us was invaluable, and his ability to explain a complex political dynamics in an easily understandable manner was truly outstanding,” said Christopher Yemenidjian, a summer intern at the ANCA. “I truly enjoyed listening to him speak, and I look forward to utilizing what I learned here in Washington when I return home.”

Mahtesian is the editor of the “Almanac of American Politics,” which is often referred to as “the bible of American politics.” He is also a contributing editor to National Journal and Executive Government magazines.

Prior to joining the Almanac, he spent eight years as a national correspondent for “Governing” magazine, where he covered state legislatures, governors, and urban politics. He began his career reporting on elections and congressional redistricting for Congressional Quarterly, where he was also a contributing writer to the reference books, Politics in America and Congressional Districts in the 1990s.

Mahtesian has served as an election night analyst on National Public Radio and appeared on numerous radio and television programs, including NPR’s All Things Considered, C-Span’s Washington Journal, and on CNN and the BBC. He has written for a variety of newspapers, journals, and magazines including The Weekly Standard, Campaigns and Elections, and Congress Daily. Mahtesian earned his bachelor’s degree in politics from Catholic University in Washington D.C. and his J.D. from American University.

The ANCA Leo Sarkisian Internship Program, now in its 23rd year, is an eight week intensive program designed to give student leaders and activists the tools necessary to effectively advance Armenian American concerns on campus and in their communities. It is an integral part of the ANCA Capital Gateway program, a year-round internship /job placement service which provides Armenian Americans greater opportunities to explore careers on Capitol Hill, in the U.S. Foreign Service and key Washington, DC foreign policy think tanks. To learn more about the ANCA Capital Gateway Program, visit:
https://www.anca.org/gateway/gateway_overview.php

Photo Caption: 2007 ANCA Leo Sarkisian Interns with Almanac of American Politics Editor Charles Mahtesian (from l to r): Chris Yemenidjian, Dzovak Kazandjian, Capital Gateway Program Coordinator Serouj Aprahamian, Alex Der Alexanian, Alidz Oshagan, Charles Mahtesian, Esq., Shant Hagopian, Paul Ternamian and Nyree Naljian.