ANC leader blasts losing candidates in Glendale elections

They lacked “qualifications” and “never had a chance of winning”

by Vincent Lima

Published: Thursday April 16, 2009

Zanku Armenian, right, chairperson of the Armenian National Committee of Glendale Political Action Committee, with Ara Najarian, who on April 6 won reelection as a member of the Glendale City Council. File photo: Helena Gregorian for the Armenian Reporter.

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Glendale, Calif. - "The Armenian-American community's vote was split by too many candidates who never had a chance of winning," the Armenian National Committee's Zanku Armenian said, commenting on the Glendale elections last week. With this election, the number of Armenian-Americans on City Council dropped to one.

An estimated 40 percent of the population of Glendale is of Armenian origin.

Mr. Armenian, chairperson of the Armenian National Committee of Glendale Political Action Committee, said, "The ANCG-PAC had multiple discussions with each of these candidates in the beginning of the process and made them fully aware that their campaigns had no chance because of their lack of qualifications."

ANCG-PAC had endorsed the candidacy of incumbents Ara Najarian and Bob Yousefian for Glendale City Council, urging citizens to vote for them and a third candidate of their choosing. Mr. Najarian was re-elected, but Mr. Yousefian was not; his eight-year service on the body comes to an end on April 20.

Voters elected incumbent Frank Quintero and challenger Laura Friedman, along with Mr. Najarian. They will join Dave Weaver and John Drayman on the five-member council.

Mr. Armenian questioned "the motives" of some losing candidates, suggesting that their candidacies were urged on by one or more current members of the council. He did not name candidates or offer any evidence to support his allegation, however.

Education issues

In the Glendale School Board race, one candidate supported by ANCG-PAC, Christine Walters, was elected, whereas the other, Eric Sahakian, was not. The Armenian-American organization had declined to endorse the candidacy of incumbent Greg Krikorian, who nonetheless handily won reelection, coming in first place.

In choosing to support Ms. Walters and Mr. Sahakian and in declining to support Mr. Krikorian, ANCG-PAC was clearly signaling its dissatisfaction with the current administration of the school district. ANCG-PAC Board member Armen Abrahamian said, "With Christine Walters added to the new school board, the ANC intends to work with the board to address many pressing issues impacting students and parents. It is the ANC's intention to be very active and visible on these school issues in the months ahead."

Another ANCG-PAC Board member, Sarkis Ourfalian, focused on the Glendale Community College Board, where all three ANCG-PAC-endorsed candidates won. "The ANC will be working closely with the full GCC board to build a closer bond and collaboration between GCC and the Armenian American community so that the full potential of the college may be reached," he said.

ANCG-PAC did not respond to a request for comment on Armenian-American voter turnout. The group had earlier announced that it was focused on increasing turnout.

Meanwhile, environmental activist Garen Yegparian, the only Armenian-American running for a seat on Burbank City Council, did not win.