Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Phone: 818.500.1918 Fax: 818.246.7353
[email protected]
PRESS RELEASE
Friday, June 9, 2006
Contact: Maral Habeshian
Krekorian Wins 43rd Assembly Seat in California’s Democratic Primary
– Armenian Community Unites in Support of Candidate
GLENDALE, California–The Armenian American community united in
support of Paul Krekorian during the Democratic Primary election for
the 43rd California Assembly district on June 6 and drove the
candidate to decisively defeat Glendale City Councilman Frank Quintero
sending a clear message to Sacramento.
Armenian American voters turned out in large numbers to vote for Paul
Krekorian in order to also send a message to Councilman Frank Quintero
whose campaign and advisors engaged in dirty campaign tactics during
the last week.
It is a widely believed the Quintero campaign collaborated with the
California Latino Leadership Fund in sending out mass mailers and
automated callers to non-Armenian voters labeling Krekorian and his
wife, the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) and the
Armenian community as `terrorists’ in a desperate attempt to scare
away non-Armenian voters. The unethical and racist tactics had the
opposite of the intended effect by galvanizing both Armenian and
non-Armenian voters in support of Krekorian.
`Having Paul Krekorian representing the citizens of the 43rd district
will usher in a new era of empowerment and vision,’ said Leonard
Manoukian, chairman of the Armenian National Committee – Political
Action Committee (ANC-PAC). `As a person who has a strong connection
to all parts of the community, we believe Paul will fill a huge void
that has existed and be a driving force for building bridges and
inspiring positive changes.’
Throughout the campaign for Paul Krekorian, Armenian Americans
volunteered in record numbers, including on the day of the election
where volunteers helped get out the vote, assisted at polling stations
with translating while also monitoring and reporting problems and
irregularities that occur during every election. During the weeks
leading up to the election the local ANCs mounted an unprecedented
voter education and get-out-the-vote campaign informing large numbers
of voters of the issues at stake and getting people to vote.
`If it wasn’t clear before, we hope it is now,’ said Stepan Boyajian
from the Burbank ANC. `The Armenian American community’s voice will
be heard and we will have our rightful seat at the table.’ Local ANCs
who represent different parts of the 43rd Assembly district led
community-wide efforts in support of Krekorian that made the
difference.
`This was a historic victory for the Armenian community and all
Americans who care about justice and preserving the democratic
process. It was a victory of hope over hatred, optimism over cynicism,
common vision over ethnic division,’ said Paul Krekorian.
`I am grateful by the outpouring of support from my fellow Armenian
Americans and non-Armenians alike. The overall community of the 43rd
district came together to reject the politics of hate and division
instead favoring respect, understanding and unity, that should be an
inspiration for everyone.’
Unofficial results show Krekorian with 56.6% of the votes to
Quintero’s 43.4%, with 100 percent of precincts reporting; these
figures do not yet include provisional and absentee ballots which are
still being counted. While the 43rd California Assembly seat has
historically been a democratic seat, Krekorian, as the democratic
candidate will face Republican candidate Michael Agbaba in November’s
general election.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
