SANTA CLARA—Armenian National Committee of America local leaders and volunteers from the greater Santa Clara area helped reach out to the California Republican Party members at its recent semi-annual Spring Convention. The ANCA hosted an exhibitor booth at the event where the volunteers interacted with party delegates, leaders, and candidates to better inform them about issues of concern to the Armenian American community.
“With the dynamic climate, it is important to constantly keep in contact with the political party base,” noted Ani Yenikomshian, a long-time ANCA activist and leader from the south bay community. “Each year, fresh faces attend these conventions and it is our chance to ensure that they learn about the issues that speak to our community.”
The three-day convention was a hotbed of activity in advance of the upcoming state primaries. With several open races, candidates and their supporters were clamoring for attention. This also meant that these groups were interested in learning more from the community in attendance.
“Many people came by the booth and had stories to share about Armenian Americans that they knew in the towns from which they came, throughout California,” noted Arpi Siyahian, a southern California transplant now at Stanford University. “It just goes to show you how important it is for Armenian Americans to be active in the communities in which they live and how the relationships they build do make a difference, especially within the political scene.”
Notables attending the convention included the major GOP gubernatorial candidates, Meg Whitman and Steve Poizner as well as candidates for the US Senate seat currently occupied by Barbara Boxer as well as US House and California State Legislature races throughout the state.
“It was great getting to know the delegates who attended the convention and sharing with them the importance of issues like the Armenian Genocide, US-Armenia relations, and the growing contribution the Armenian American community makes to the Golden State,” said Siyahian. “Having been involved in the ANCA in the western San Fernando Valley, it was great to see the same passion from activists here today and I am excited to be a part of the growing ANCA team in the Santa Clara Valley.”