ANCA-WR Engaged with Officials at the California Democratic Convention in San Francisco

February 25, 2026

San Francisco, CA – The Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region (ANCA-WR) actively engaged with leaders, delegates, elected officials, and party stakeholders at the California Democratic Party Convention in San Francisco, ensuring that Armenian-American priorities remained firmly on the political agenda.

Throughout the convention, ANCA-WR representatives met directly with State and Federal legislators, California gubernatorial candidates, party officials, and grassroots delegates to advocate for policies that safeguard Armenia’s security, demand accountability for Azerbaijan’s aggression, protect Armenian Christian heritage in Artsakh, and impose sanctions on genocidal Turkey and Azerbaijan.

ANCA-WR representatives held substantive discussions with Congressmember George Whitesides, State Senator Scott Wiener, State Senator Henry Stern, Assemblymember Patrick Ahrens, Assemblymember Jessica Caloza, Assemblymember John Harabedian, Assemblymember Rick Chavez-Zbur, Assemblymember Sade Elhawary, Assemblymember Matt Haney, Assemblymember Pilar Schiavo, Assemblymember Nick Schultz, Assemblymember and candidate for California State Superintendent Al Muratsuchi, Lieutenant Governor and candidate for California State Treasurer Eleni Kounalakis, Secretary of California’s Democratic Party Diana Love, Superintendent Tony Thurmond, as well as Gubernatorial candidates Ian Calderon, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Former Congressmember, and Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra, and Former California State Controller Betty Yee.

ANCA-WR Board Member Astine Suleimanyan, ANCA-WR’s Executive Director Ruben Karapetian, and Northern California Regional Coordinator Henry Agajanov participated in driving conversations and ensuring Armenian-American concerns were neither sidelined nor diluted. Leaders reinforced the urgency of standing firmly against Azerbaijan’s genocidal ethnic cleansing of Artsakh, demanded continued state-level solidarity with Armenia’s sovereignty, and emphasized the moral responsibility of California leaders to defend human rights globally.

Reflecting on her engagement, Suleimanyan stated that “With 28,000 delegates in San Francisco this weekend, we witnessed the unmistakable rise of Armenian-American political power. I was especially proud to hear Vice Chair Deepa Sharma address the full delegation, forcefully standing up against the attacks on our community by figures like Dr. Mehmet Oz. This level of visibility is exactly why our work is so vital”. She further expanded on the importance of grassroots advocacy by stating, “Through a deliberate, intensive effort by ANCA-WR, we ensured our community was a dominant force on the convention floor. By showing up in record numbers alongside Southern California Armenian Democrats (SCAD) to support our endorsed candidate, Fiona Ma, for Lieutenant Governor, we proved our community is organized, passionate, and ready to lead. We aren’t just asking for a seat at the table anymore; we are building the table, and we will only continue to grow at every convention to come.”

“Being at the California Democratic Party Convention is part of our responsibility to our community,” said Karapetian. “The Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region engages anywhere decisions are made so Armenian American concerns are understood before policy takes shape, not after. Our goal is to provide clear and actionable insight so decision-makers understand what’s at stake for Armenian Americans.”

“It was an honor to engage with Assembly Members, gubernatorial candidates, and other elected and Democratic Party leaders from across California,” said Agajanov. “At the California Democratic Party convention, we had meaningful discussions about policy priorities, representation, and the future of our state. These conversations underscore the growing strength and civic leadership of the Armenian American community in California.”

By maintaining a visible and proactive presence at major political conventions, ANCA-WR continues to strengthen bipartisan relationships and expand California’s leadership role in advancing Armenian-American concerns at both the state and federal levels.

As a bipartisan grassroots advocacy organization, the ANCA-WR engages leaders across the political spectrum who are committed to advancing human rights, justice, and principled policy. While participating in the California Democratic Party Convention, ANCA-WR reaffirmed that Armenian-American advocacy transcends party lines. The organization looks forward to similarly engaging leaders at the California Republican Party Convention and working with all policymakers who are prepared to ensure that the rights, security, and dignity of the Armenian people are never overlooked.

The ANCA-WR is unwavering in its mission to defend Armenian rights, demand accountability for anti-Armenian aggression, and advance policies that secure the sovereignty of the Republic of Armenia, as well as the protection of Armenian-Americans against ever-rising Armenophobia in the region.