Encourages Armenian Americans to Vote November 2
GLENDALE, Calif.– The Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region (ANCA-WR) on Wednesday announced its endorsement of candidates vying for a number of statewide offices based on their record of service to California and its Armenian American constituents. We present the list below:
Secretary of State – Debra Bowen
The ANCA-WR endorses Debra Bowen for reelection as California Secretary of State. Since taking office, Bowen has worked to increase voter registration by empowering Californians with timely and objective information on candidates and ballot measures. Having served in the State Assembly and Senate, Bowen also introduced and helped enact legislation commemorating the Armenian Genocide.
Controller – John Chiang
The ANCA-WR endorses John Chiang for reelection as California Controller. Chiang has maintained a close relationship with the Armenian American community since the days he served on the California Board of Equalization. He has been an enthusiastic collaborator with local ANC chapters and a frequent attendee of the ANCA-WR Annual Banquet through the years. Just last year, John Chiang helped organize a small business tax and opportunities seminar organized by the ANC Hollywood chapter.
Treasurer – Bill Lockyer
The ANCA-WR endorses Bill Lockyer for reelection as California Treasurer. Lockyer’s commitment to public service and issues important to our community is evident by his years of work in state government. While in the State Legislature, then-Senator Lockyer supported legislation acknowledging the Armenian Genocide and has been a staunch supporter of reaffirmation of the historical facts ever since. As Attorney General, Lockyer also filed legal briefs in three cases defending the ability of victims of the Holocaust and Armenian Genocide to file insurance company claims under the state Holocaust Victim Insurance Relief Act. For his steadfast commitment to justice and contributions to the Armenian American community, Bill Lockyer was chosen as ANCA-WR Man of the Year in 2001.
Superintendent of Public Instruction – Tom Torlakson
The ANCA-WR endorses former educator Tom Torlakson for California Superintendent of Public Instruction. A legislator with experience enacting important education reforms, Torlakson has also been an advocate of Armenian Genocide recognition and education. He has consistently supported legislation acknowledging the Armenian Genocide and joined the San Francisco Bay Area commemoration at San Francisco’s historic Saint Ignatius Church earlier this year.
The ANCA-WR has already endorsed Jerry Brown for Governor and Gavin Newsom for Lieutenant Governor. An endorsement for the U.S. Senate race will be issued in the coming days.
The ANCA-WR is the largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots advocacy organization in the Western United States. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the Western United States and affiliated organizations around the country, the ANCA-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.
I want to know more about the origin of the Tom Torlakson family because I met an Armenian – Torlakian and an Bulgarian – Torlakov.
Thank you,
Edik
What is the matter with us? Why not Armenian candidates? Are we any less qualified than the Chinese? Or it is that we have become used to pandering others? Wake up, Californians, wake up, Los-folks, wake up Glendale! Stop playing tavlou!
Four endorsements and all for Democrats? It’s not enough destruction caused by Democrats? You will never learn leson? You disgust me.
Ashot,
First off, drop your racist attitude toward other races, because with such an attitude you encourage others to see Armenians in the same light when an Armenian candidate runs for office. Second, no, there are no Armenian candidates because if you pay attention to all past elections in Glendale for city counsel, you will notice a trend of Armenians flooding the election ballot and diluting every Armenian candidates chance to win a majority of votes because every single person running for office thinks that they know better than the other. The last election was a disaster! with 4 Armenians running for city counsel we practically gave the city counsel seat away and now only have one Armenian on the city counsel, so much for pandering huh? with your ” WAKE UP GLENDALE” attitude, we will never amount to much unless an intelligent nomination is made in support of an Armenian-American candidate that will express both American AND Armenian interests. For now, we need other races until we get our act together and become an actual majority voice in legislation and politics. Until then, we’re just a sect of the population that gives votes to others that are capable of doing a job we could do 100 times better if only we were better organized and less prideful of stepping down to let the better Armenian-American candidate run for office.
If the Armenians in Glendale really want change, let them all sit silent for one minute, cool their blood, and hold a primary election within the community to choose ONE candidate that will represent most, if not all interests of the diverse Armenian-American community. THEN, and only then will Armenians ever have a chance to rise in the political arena.
I hope to see this happen during my lifetime.
Well, lately, in my view, Some far left oriented memebers in the Democratic party, are bringing with them a corrupt, anti family agenda or package. Generally, Democrats are more sensitive to Armenian causes than the Republicans; but, it comes with a dark package in their possession that is not good for the morality or the well being of this country.
Well said Tony!