Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Phone: 818.500.1918 Fax: 818.246.7353
ancawr@anca.org

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Friday, May 20, 2005

Contact: Armen Carapetian
Tel: (818) 500-1918

ANTONIO VILLARAIGOSA BECOMES NEXT MAYOR OF LOS ANGELES

— ANCA-endorsed candidate wins landslide victory

LOS ANGELES, CA – Los Angeles City Council Member Antonio Villaraigosa
scored a decisive victory in the May 17 run-off election for Los
Angeles Mayor, running against incumbent Mayor Jim Hahn. This was the
second time the two have faced off with the Armenian National Committee
of America (ANCA) having endorsed Villaraigosa both during the previous
election in 2001 and this election cycle. This victory makes Antonio
Villaraigosa the first Latino mayor of Los Angeles since 1872 and
also positions him to be a political force in national politics.

Villaraigosa rode a wave of voter discontent with Mayor Hahn and his
administration and was able to build a substantially broader coalition
of support this time, especially among the city’s different ethnic
communities, including the Armenian American community. This fact,
coupled with voters’ desire for a fresh direction for the city,
resulted in a major voter swing in Villaraigosa’s favor.

Commenting on the strong relationship Villaraigosa has with the
Armenian American community, Steven J. Dadaian, Chairman of the ANC
Western Region, stated, “Antonio’s relationship with our community is
based on years of being a leading advocate in supporting justice for
the Armenian Genocide, promoting genocide curricula in our schools,
strengthening economic ties with Armenia, and increasing the inclusion
of Armenian Americans in public service. We congratulate him on his
election as Mayor of the nation’s second largest and most dynamic
city and look forward to his leadership in making our goals a reality.”

The ANCA conducted a major voter awareness campaign for the election
and Villaraigosa’s candidacy which included television interviews,
producing a TV commercial targeted at the Armenian American community
that aired on many Armenian cable stations, print advertising,
and providing volunteers to do Armenian voter outreach throughout
the campaign.

“As we have seen in both the Glendale city elections and now the Los
Angeles Mayor’s election, there is a growing electoral shift occurring
in Los Angeles that is creating new opportunities for political leaders
of different ethnic backgrounds,” said Zanku Armenian, ANCA Liaison
to the Villaraigosa campaign. “Recognizing the need for more dynamic
and diverse leadership in City Hall, the ANCA endorsed Villaraigosa
and deployed substantial resources to get out the Armenian American
vote in support of his candidacy. As with his past positions, we felt
Antonio Villaraigosa would prove to be a mayor who will work closely
with the Armenian American community, ensuring we play a vital role
in city government,” added Armenian.

Mayor-elect Antonio Villaraigosa will be sworn into office on July 1.

The ANCA is the largest and most influential Armenian American
grassroots political organization. Working in coordination with a
network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the United
States and affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCA actively
advances the concerns of the Armenian-American community on a broad
range of issues.

Editor’s note: Photos attached. Photo 1 caption: From left to right –
Zanku Armenian, Antonio Villaraigosa and Vicken Sonentz-Papazian. Photo
2 caption: Antonio Villaraigosa with Steven Dadaian.

#####