ANCA – Western Region Local Candidate Questionnaire (2023-2024)

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 ANCA-WR will provide a copy of this form to each member of the Candidate Evaluation Committee in preparation for the endorsement decision. Candidate responses may also be made available to the general public before elections.

The Candidate Background Information Form and Questionnaire must be submitted electronically through 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.

Office Sought*
District Number
State*
Party*
Candidate Background and Contact Information
Name as it Appears on the Ballot*
Prefix First Middle Last
Campaign Contact:*
Campaign Contact Email:*
Campaign Contact Phone:*
Address
Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country
Candidate Phone*
Campaign Phone*
Email
Website
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 the Republic of Artsakh have been committed to building a democratic society since their independence. They have overcome the brutal legacy of Stalin's illegal and arbitrary decision to place Artsakh under Soviet Azerbaijan's administration On December 12, 2022, Azerbaijan had been illegally blockading the Lachin corridor: the only road that connects the Republic of Artsakh with the outside world. During the ongoing blockade, in the afternoon of September 19, 2023, Azerbaijan launched a full-scale assault against Nagorno-Karabakh, shelling the capital Stepanakert and targeting civilian infrastructure. After forced evacuations from Azerbaijan’s assault, virtually all of Artsakh’s native Armenian population were forcibly displaced from their homeland, seeking refuge in Armenia. The humanitarian needs of Artsakh’s refugees are staggering, including the provision of medical supplies, hygiene products, and prefabricated housing. Long-term support is also crucial, encompassing peaceful conflict resolution respecting Artsakh’s self-determination, right to return for refugees under an international protectorate, and sanctions on Azerbaijan for its crimes against humanity.
1) How will you advocate to help secure U.S. humanitarian aid to meet the pressing needs of the refugees of Artsakh?*
2) How will you support legislative and other initiatives to stop U.S. military aid or sales to Azerbaijan, for its aggression and crimes against Armenia and Artsakh?*
3)How will you encourage the federal government to enforce Global Magnitsky and other relevant sanctions against senior Azerbaijani leaders guilty of war crimes, human rights abuses, and the illegal detention and abuse of Armenian prisoners of war, hostages, and detainees?*
Republic of Armenia
In the aftermath of the Velvet Revolution in April 2018, the people of Armenia chose a path toward democracy, economic development, and justice. As a result of Azerbaijan's invasion of the Republic of Artsakh and ongoing aggression against the Republic of Armenia - including the presence of over 1,000 Azerbaijani troops in sovereign Armenian territory - one of the region's only democracies faces a devastating humanitarian and security crisis. The United States and Armenia share an historic bond dating back a century, when the government of U.S. recognized the independence of Armenia from the Ottoman Empire and facilitated the provision of urgent humanitarian relief to the survivors of the Armenian Genocide. Since the end of Soviet occupation in 1991, the United States has provided significant support to the development of Armenia's economy, civil society and democratic institutions.
1) How will you support the further expansion of the historic partnership between the people of Armenia and your locality?*
2) How will you support and expand trade and economic relations with the Republic of Armenia?*
3) How will you support efforts to preserve Armenia's democracy and sovereignty in the face of Turkey and Azerbaijan's ongoing aggression?*
Candidate Signature*
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ANCA – Western Region Local Candidate Questionnaire (2023-2024)

Candidate Background and Contact Information

Armenian Community Background

Armenian Genocide

Artsakh

Republic of Armenia