ANCA Endorses Katcho Achadjian for Congress 

August 5, 2015

Seeks Election of Third Armenian American to the U.S. House of Representatives

LOS ANGELES – The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) is proud to endorse California State Assemblymember Katcho Achadjian to represent the Santa Barbara area in the U.S. House of Representatives.

ANCA WR Leadership with  CA Assemblymember and Candidate for Congress Katcho Achadjian
ANCA WR Leadership with CA Assemblymember and Candidate for Congress Katcho Achadjian

Achadjian is widely respected by his legislative colleagues – both Democrats and Republicans – as a hard-worker, a thoughtful consensus builder and a highly effective legislator. He is admired – throughout California and across America – as a powerful advocate for the views and values of Americans of Armenian heritage.  If elected, he will represent California’s 24th Congressional District, joining two other federal legislators from the Golden State of Armenian background – Anna Eshoo (18th Congressional District) and Jackie Kanchelian Speier (14th Congressional District).

California’s 24th Congressional District, currently represented by retiring Democrat Lois Capps, stretches across Santa Barbara County and San Luis Obispo County, as well the Los Padres National Forest in Ventura County.  Congresswoman Capps narrowly won her last two races, most recently defeating Republican Christopher Mitchum by a margin of 51.9% to 48.1% in November of 2014.

“The ANCA is proud to back Katcho Achadjian. He is truly – in the very best of the American democratic tradition – an inspiring leader, a great legislator, a devoted public servant, and a wonderful role model of civic responsibility,” said ANCA-Western Region Chair Nora Hovsepian.  “We look forward to supporting his campaign, getting out the vote, and helping to elect a third Armenian American to the U.S. Congress,” Hovsepian added.

Achadjian has been a pro-active leader on each and every pro-Armenian state-level initiative during his tenure in Sacramento. He helped lead the historic California State Legislative Delegation visit in 2013 to both the Republics of Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh, and served as host for the Nagorno Karabagh Parliamentary Speaker’s visit to the State Capitol.  He played a vital role in Calfornia’s recognition of the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh, and was the lead sponsor, in 2012, of Assembly Joint Resolution 34 (AJR 34), which called on the Republic of Turkey to respect religious freedom by returning stolen Armenian Churches and other church properties.

Because of his strong bi-partisan legislative credentials, Achadjian is the only Republican to have been appointed to Chair a committee in the State Legislature. He currently serves as Chair of the Assembly’s Local Government Committee, and as a member of the Assembly Committees on Accountability and Administrative Review, Banking and Finance, Transportation, and Joint Legislative Audit.

Katcho Achadjian holds a degree in Business Administration from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Prior to holding office, Katcho founded a successful local business, where he gained a strong appreciation for the need to streamline government regulations. Prior to joining the State Legislature, he served three terms as an elected member of the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors. Notably, Katcho was also appointed by the Governor of the State of California in 2006 to the powerful California Coastal Commission before joining the State Assembly.

Katcho has been married to his wife Araxie since 1984 and they have a son, Hratch, and daughter, Nyri.

Community members interested in getting involved or learning more about the campaign may do so by visiting katcho2016.com .  In order to vote in the 2016 Primary and General Elections, you must be registered. To register to vote online visit www.hyevotes.org or call 818.806.8683.

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, 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.

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For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Elen Asatryan
Email / Tel: (818) 500-1918
Armenian National Committee of America
Western Region
104 N. Belmont, Suite 200, Glendale, CA 91206 * Tel. (818) 500-1918