ANCA – Western Region Local Candidate Questionnaire

The Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region requests candidates who wish to participate in the candidate evaluation process to submit a completed background information form and questionnaire.

The Candidate Background Information Form and Questionnaire can be submitted electronically via this form. Only candidates who submit a completed questionnaire or have a proven track record on issues of importance to the Armenian-American community will be eligible for consideration of an endorsement by the ANCA-WR. At its discretion, the ANCA-WR may invite those candidates who submit a completed questionnaire for an in-person interview before making an endorsement decision. If you prefer to fill out the questionnaire via PDF, please download and submit it via email: ruben@ancawr.org.

Office Sought*
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Candidate Background and Contact Information
Name as it Appears on the Ballot*
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Campaign Contact:*
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Address
Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country
Candidate Phone*
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Armenian Community Background
The Armenian-American community has had a significant presence in the United States since the 19th century. Armenian-Americans are civically engaged and contribute to the overall success of the United States. The Armenian National Committee of America - Western Region (ANCA-WR) is the largest and most influential non-partisan Armenian-American grassroots advocacy organization in the western United States. For nearly a century, the ANCA-WR has educated, motivated, and activated the Armenian-American community in the western United States on a wide range of issues, ensuring that the voice of the Armenian-American community is heard. Our current priorities include 1) securing the right of return for the Armenians of Artsakh who have been forcibly displaced by Azerbaijan; 2) providing vital aid to Artsakh and Armenia; 3) ensuring the unconditional release of Armenian POWs and civilian captives illegally detained by Azerbaijan; 4) seeking justice for the still unpunished Armenian Genocide; 5) putting an end to its ongoing denial of genocide and state-sponsored Armenophobia of Turkey and Azerbaijan; and 5) ending all US assistance to Azerbaijan consistent with Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act.
1) What has been your experience with the Armenian-American community, and what do you perceive to be some of the issues of most significant importance to the Armenian-American community?*
2) What steps would you take to recruit more Armenians for staff positions and increase the level of Armenian presence on the state’s various boards, commissions, and committees?*
3) In light of recent events, including the 2020 Artsakh War, there has been a dramatic increase in hate crimes against Armenian-Americans, including shootings, arson, and vandalism with racial slurs. The hate incidents targeted schools, community centers, and places of worship. What policies will your support to help tackle anti-Armenian hate crimes and hate incidents?*
4) What will you do to assist Armenian-American cultural institutions and service organizations (e.g., Armenian-American Museum, Armenian Relief Society, etc.)*
5) Would you stand firm against genocide denial and other Armenophobic propaganda disseminated by the Turkish and Azerbaijani governments and their agents in the US?*
Armenian Genocide
Turkey and Azerbaijan both deny the Armenian Genocide, and obstruct justice for this international crime. Between 1915-1923, the Ottoman Turkish government engaged in the systematic and deliberate annihilation of 1.5 million Armenians and over a million other indigenous Christian minorities, including Greeks and Assyrians. Both Congress and the President of the United States have recognized the Armenian Genocide. Many Armenian-Americans can trace their roots to survivors of the Genocide, shaping their communities and worldview. The Genocide and its consequences continue to this day, with Armenians continuing to combat genocide denial and renewed attempts at genocide by successor governments.
1) How will you ensure that the express intent of Congress’ recognition of the Armenian Genocide via H.Res. 296 and S.Res.150 is implemented locally to end U.S. complicity in Turkey's ongoing Genocide denial campaign?*
2) How will you ensure that the express intent of Congress’ recognition of the Armenian Genocide via H.Res. 296 and S.Res.150 is implemented to promoting public education locally about the indisputable facts of the Armenian Genocide?*
3) Would you support policies, initiatives, and/or legislation that halts all future public investments in financial vehicles and firms owned in part or whole by the Government of Turkey?*
4) How would you support greater local awareness and understanding of the history of the Armenian Genocide?*
Artsakh
The people of Artsakh have long sought to build a free and democratic society. Following months of blockade and a full-scale assault by Azerbaijan in September 2023, virtually the entire Armenian population of Artsakh was forcibly displaced and sought refuge in Armenia. These refugees face urgent humanitarian needs, and the Armenian-American community continues to advocate for accountability for Azerbaijan’s war crimes and for international protections ensuring Artsakh Armenians’ right to return. Local leaders play an important role in shaping public awareness, guiding community support, and influencing state and federal partners on matters of humanitarian concern and human rights.
1) How will you use your local office to help support humanitarian relief efforts for the displaced people of Artsakh, such as raising public awareness, partnering with community organizations, or supporting local initiatives that assist refugees and frontline humanitarian efforts?*
2) While foreign policy is determined at the federal level, local officials play an important role in shaping public discourse. How will you publicly advocate - through resolutions, letters, coalitions, or partnerships and for the suspension of U.S. military aid to Azerbaijan due to its aggression against Armenia and Artsakh?*
3) How will you use your platform to support efforts calling for accountability for Azerbaijani war crimesincluding encouraging state and federal officials to pursue Global Magnitsky and other sanctions against Azerbaijani leaders responsible for human rights abuses and the illegal detention of Armenians?*
Armenia
As a result of Azerbaijan’s invasion of the Republic of Artsakh and its continued aggression against the Republic of Armenia, including the illegal presence of Azerbaijani forces on sovereign Armenian territory, Armenia now faces one of the most severe humanitarian and security crises in its modern history. Following the ethnic cleansing of Artsakh’s indigenous Armenian population in September 2023, over 100,000 forcibly displaced Artsakh Armenians sought refuge in Armenia, overwhelming the country’s already limited social, housing, and economic infrastructure. This sudden and unprecedented influx has placed extraordinary pressure. The state of Armenia, which now bears responsibility for providing long-term housing, employment, education, healthcare, and integration support for tens of thousands of refugee families who lost everything. At the same time, Armenia remains a fragile democracy confronting serious external security threats, ongoing border incursions, and efforts by Azerbaijan to destabilize the region and coerce territorial concessions. The United States and Armenia share a century-long bond, dating back to America’s humanitarian support for the survivors of the Armenian Genocide and its early recognition of Armenian independence. Today, as Armenia struggles to absorb an entire displaced population while defending its sovereignty, robust and sustained U.S. engagement is more critical than ever.
1) How will you support the further expansion of the partnership between the people of Armenia and your locality?*
2) How will you support and expand trade and economic relations with Armenia?*
3) How will you support efforts to preserve Armenia's security and sovereignty in the face of Turkey and Azerbaijan's ongoing aggression?*
Small Business Support
Armenian-Americans have a long and proud tradition of entrepreneurship, with the vast majority of our community's businesses being small, family-run enterprises that form the backbone of local economies across the Western United States. These businesses not only provide jobs and essential services, but also serve as cultural anchors for our community. However, Armenian-owned small businesses often face disproportionate challenges in navigating complex local regulations, accessing capital or grants, dealing with inconsistent permitting processes, and remaining stable amid rising commercial rents and redevelopment pressures. Ensuring that local governments adopt fair, transparent, and supportive policies for small businesses is a key to supporting our communities, as these enterprises are vital to both economic vitality and cultural continuity.
1) How will you work to expand local support for Armenian-owned small businesses through improved access to grants, technical assistance, procurement opportunities, and streamlined permitting processes?*
2) Armenian small business owners frequently report challenges navigating local permitting, licensing, inspections, language barriers, and regulatory compliance. What reforms will you support to simplify these processes and ensure they are applied consistently and without favoritism?*
3) Commercial redevelopment and rising rents often threaten long-standing Armenian-owned businesses in historic Armenian neighborhoods. What steps will you take to protect these family-run enterprises from displacement and ensure that economic development benefits existing local businesses rather than pricing them out?*
Candidate Signature*
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ANCA – Western Region Local Candidate Questionnaire

Candidate Background and Contact Information

Armenian Community Background

Armenian Genocide

Artsakh

Armenia

Small Business Support