LOS ANGELES – Today the Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region (ANCA-WR) is pleased to announce an extensive list of endorsed candidates in statewide races throughout California.  List of federal level endorsements to follow. The CA statewide and local endorsements include: California State Assembly Mark Levine (D-10) Mae Torlakson (D-14) Chris Holden (D-41) Ardashes “Ardy” Kassakhian (D-43) Matt Dababneh (D-45) Adrin Nazarian (D-46) Cheryl Brown (D-47) Richard Bloom (D-50) Ian Calderon (D-57) Reggie Jones-Sawyer (D-59) Mike Gipson (D-64) California State Senate Scott Wiener (D-11) Scott Wilk (R-21) Anthony Portantino (D-25) Shawn Bayliss (D-27) Ricardo Lara (D-33) Los Angeles County Supervisors Ara Najarian – District 5 “The ANCA-WR is proud to endorse these carefully vetted candidates who are strong supporters of the Armenian-American community,” remarked Executive Director Elen Asatryan. “For the June 7 upcoming California Primary Elections, we need to take the powerful voices of 166,000 activists in last year’s March for Justice and the 60,000 at this year’s Rally for Justice into the ballot box to ensure that we elect candidates who will truly represent our community’s interests. The Armenian American voice is a critical component of this year’s election and it is important for every eligible household to fully participate, where the outcome of a number of close races will be determined by the Armenian-American vote,” she added. As a part of the endorsement process, the ANCA-WR Board works in conjunction with local chapter constituents to carefully review each incumbent’s track record and each new candidate’s answers to a written questionnaire. Interviews are then conducted to determine which candidates best grasp the needs of the Armenian American community. ANCA-WR endorsements are based largely on the candidate’s preparedness and ability to address issues ranging from justice for the Armenian Genocide, promoting Armenian Genocide education in public schools, support for the independent Republic of Artsakh, and local community needs. The majority of these endorsements include incumbents who have served as a strong voice for the community. Late last year and early this year, the ANCA-WR had already issued its endorsement of three non-incumbent candidates: Ardashes “Ardy” Kassakhian for Assembly District 43, Anthony Portantino for Senate District 25 and Ara Najarian for LA County Supervisorial District 5. All three districts include large numbers of Armenian voters concentrated in areas including Burbank, Glendale, Pasadena, Crescenta Valley, Hollywood, San Gabriel Valley, and Sunland-Tujunga. All eligible voters are encouraged to register and vote in the June 7 Primary Elections. Polls will open at 7AM and close at 8PM. To find your polling location, please visit www.hyevotes.org and select “Find Your Polling Location”. If you are not a registered voter or you have moved since you last registered, please contact the ANCA HyeVotes office at (818) 806-8683 to obtain a new registration form or register online at www.hyevotes.org no later than May 23. Voters may request vote-by-mail ballots before May 31. Community members registered as permanent absentee voters will begin receiving their mail in ballot during the week of May 9, 2016. For more information on the individual candidates please visit www.ancawr.org. The Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region is one of the largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots organizations in the Western United States and working with their network of local offices and chapters through the region, the ANCA-WR makes sure the concerns of the Armenian American community are heard and answered, as should every minority’s voice. ###