Denver, CO – The Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region (ANCA-WR) is pleased to announce that both of its endorsed candidates in Denver Metro Area legislative districts with large Armenian-American constituencies won the June 28 Colorado primary election.

“We congratulate Rep. Rhonda Fields for her overwhelming victory in the competitive Democratic state senate primary, as well as Rep. Cole Wist for yet again earning the support of his constituents to serve in the state house,” remarked ANCA-WR Executive Director Elen Asatryan. “We will continue to support these two public servants, as well as vet additional candidates for endorsement as we amplify the voice of Colorado’s strong Armenian-American community in preparation for the competitive general elections in November.”

ANCA-WR-endorsed candidate Fields received 74% of the vote in the race for Senate District 29 on June 28. Her opponent, a fellow member of the Colorado House of Representatives who dropped their proactive support for the Armenian Genocide resolution after accepting a junket to Turkey, received 26%. Rep. Cole Wist secured his name as the Republican candidate for House District 37, running unopposed yet earning ANCA-WR’s endorsement because of his strong outreach to the Armenian-American community.

As a part of the endorsement process, the ANCA-WR worked in conjunction with local chapter constituents to carefully review each candidate’s track record. ANCA-WR endorsements are based largely on the candidate’s preparedness and demonstrated 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.

A forceful advocate for families, children, and public safety, Rhonda Fields was first elected to serve the Colorado House of Representatives for the 68th General Assembly in 2010. She is the first African American woman elected to the state legislature to represent Aurora’s House District 42, Arapahoe County. In November 2014, she was reelected to her third term in the House of Representatives. She currently serves as the Chair of the Local Government committee and is a ranking member on the Education Committee. Read more on http://rhondafields.com/about-rhonda/.

Cole Wist is a fourth-generation Coloradan and was raised in Paonia on Colorado’s western slope. Currently serving as State Representative for District 37, he works on many important issues affecting the citizens of his district and all Colorado residents and businesses. He is an attorney and currently serves on the House Business Affairs & Labor Committee and on the House State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee. Rep. Wist considers himself a “proud honorary Armenian” by marriage. Read more on http://colewist.com/.

Leading up to and throughout Election Day, ANCA-WR’s Denver office educated Colorado’s Armenian community about the democratic process and assisted in voter registration and polling questions. This effort will continue to November and beyond through the HyeVotes Voter Registration and GOTV initiative. As the community prepares for the General Elections, Armenian American constituents of all political spectrums have also initiated fundraisers and meet-and-greets with several candidates.

CO State Candidates seeking ANCA-WR endorsement for the Colorado General Elections can obtain a questionnaire online at www.ancawr.org/2016-candidate-questionnaire, by visiting the Denver office at 1373 Grant Street, or by calling 818.862.2622.

Community members not yet registered to vote, can register in a few minutes online at www.GoVoteColorado.com.  Registered voters who have moved since they registered must update their voter registration and may do so on the same site.  In order to vote you must be United States citizen; 18 years of age or older at the time of the next election; have resided in Colorado 22 days immediately before the election at which you intend to vote, and are not serving a sentence of confinement, detention, or parole for a felony conviction.  For additional information on CO Elections visit www.ancawr.org/COElections or for assistance, please call 818.862.2622.

Headquartered in Los Angeles, the Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region is the largest and most influential Armenian-American grassroots advocacy organization in the Western United States. Working in coordination with a network of offices and supporters around the country, the ANCA-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.

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