Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

ANCA: Armenian American Voters Help Deliver Obama/Biden Victory

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • ANCA: Armenian American Voters Help Deliver Obama/Biden Victory

    Armenian National Committee of America
    1711 N Street, NW
    Washington, DC 20036
    Tel. (202) 775-1918
    Fax. (202) 775-5648
    [email protected]
    Internet www.anca.org

    PRESS RELEASE

    November 5, 2008
    Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
    Tel: (202) 775-1918


    ARMENIAN AMERICAN VOTERS HELP DELIVER OBAMA/BIDEN VICTORY

    -- ANCA, Armenians for Obama Deliver Unprecedented Grassroots
    Armenian American Support to the Winning Ticket

    -- 94% of ANCA-Endorsed Congressional Candidates Elected to Office

    WASHINGTON, DC - The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA)
    welcomed President-elect Barack Obama and Vice-President-elect Joe
    Biden's historic win yesterday as a new and powerful opportunity
    for American recognition of the Armenian Genocide, stronger U.S.-
    Armenia relations, and U.S. support for a settlement of the Nagorno
    Karabagh conflict that respects its citizens' right to self-
    determination.

    The ANCA also welcomed the election yesterday of 94% of the
    Congressional candidates it had endorsed in House and Senate races.

    "The victory of Senators Barack Obama and Joe Biden stands as a
    testament to the strength of grassroots activism across the United
    States committed to change," stated ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian.

    "Starting with the ANCA's endorsement of Senator Obama in January
    of this year, Armenian Americans in battleground states - organized
    by an extremely effective and far-reaching Armenians for Obama
    operation - played a critical role in bringing Armenian American
    Democrats, Independents and a surprisingly large percentage of
    Republicans to the Obama-Biden ticket on Election Day. Our pre-
    election polls showed between 80 and 85% support for Obama-Biden in
    our community, a very strong showing, particularly in a community
    well represented across the American political spectrum, and a
    testament to the fact that Armenian Americans are willing to cross
    party lines to support pro-Armenian candidates."

    "In many ways, this election marked the emergence of the Armenian
    American community as a powerful and broadly respected Presidential
    election constituency, one that is able - through grassroots
    efforts, campaign professionals, fundraising, media outreach, and
    get-out-the-vote - to help tip the balance in a close national
    contest toward the candidate best positioned to reflect our views
    and values," concluded Hachikian.

    President-elect Obama was consistently strong in his outreach to
    Armenian American voters, issuing a powerful statement in January,
    2008, voicing his vigorous support for passage of the Armenian
    Genocide Resolution and pledging that, as President, he would
    recognize the Armenian Genocide. The Presidential hopeful also
    reaffirmed his support for a strong "U.S.-Armenian relationship
    that advances our common security and strengthens Armenian
    democracy." Unlike other candidates, he also pledged to "promote
    Armenian security by seeking an end to the Turkish and Azerbaijani
    blockades, and by working for a lasting and durable settlement of
    the Nagorno Karabagh conflict that is agreeable to all parties, and
    based upon America's founding commitment to the principles of
    democracy and self determination." President-Elect Obama restated
    his pledge on two subsequent occasions, the last one in the form of
    a fact sheet issued just four days before the Presidential
    election, which stated in no uncertain terms "Barack Obama strongly
    supports passage of the Armenian Genocide Resolution (H.Res.106 and
    S.Res.106) and will recognize the Armenian Genocide."

    Senator Obama and Biden's records on Armenian American concerns can
    be read at:
    http://www.anca.org/election2008/Obama_Biden_r ecord.pdf

    Despite his 15% deficit in the polls in the Democratic primary, the
    ANCA endorsed President-Elect Obama in the January 2008 in the
    weeks leading up to the crucial Super Tuesday primary elections.
    In the months following this endorsement, ANCA chapters worked with
    a network of Armenians for Obama activists spanning the country -
    from the battleground states of Nevada to New Hampshire -- showing
    unprecedented community participation in all levels of the campaign
    activity. Volunteers in the traditionally large Armenian American
    communities of California, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey -
    traditional democratic strongholds - reached out to the swing
    states of Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, New
    Hampshire, and Virginia in pursuit of an Obama victory. The
    Armenians for Obama Facebook group had close to 3000 activists, and
    nearly 9,000 people watched author Samantha Power's YouTube video
    in support of the Obama campaign.

    94% of ANCA Endorsed Congressional Candidates Elected; Several Key
    Races Still Too Close to Call

    ANCA endorsed candidates won overwhelmingly in the House, with 201
    of 211 endorsed candidates securing decisive wins. Among those
    winning in tight House races, with the Armenian American support,
    were Armenian Genocide Resolution supporters Mike McCaul (R-TX),
    Mark Kirk (R-IL), Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ), Tim Walz (D-MD) and
    Florida Representatives Lincoln Diaz Balart (R), Mario Diaz Balart
    (R) and Ron Klein (D-FL). Among those losing highly competitive
    races were Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), Tim
    Walberg (R-MI) as well as House Foreign Affairs Committee member
    and supporter Steve Chabot (R-OH). Armenian American Congresswomen
    Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and Jackie Speier (D-CA) won their reelection
    bids overwhelming with 70% and 75% respectively. ANC OH chairman
    Dave Krikorian (OH-2) garnered an impressive 18% in his independent
    Congressional bid, laying a solid foundation for future electoral
    campaigns.

    In the Senate, 11 of 15 ANCA endorsed candidates won their election
    bids, with the Minnesota Senate race featuring ANCA endorsed Sen.
    Norm Coleman (R-MN) and Democrat Al Franken as well as the Oregon
    race between Sen. Gordon Smith (R) and ANCA endorsed Jeff Merkley
    (D) still too close to call. Winners included Armenian Genocide
    Resolution lead sponsor Richard Durbin (D-IL), John Kerry (D-MA),
    Jack Reed (D-RI), Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), Carl Levin (D-MI) as
    well as Mark Udall (D-CO) and Tom Udall (D-NM), who moved from the
    House to the Senate. Sen. Joe Biden also won his Senate seat;
    however, with his election to Vice-President, Delaware Governor
    Ruth Ann Minner will appoint his successor. Among Senate supporters
    who lost their election bids were North Carolina Senator Elizabeth
    Dole (R) and New Hampshire Senator John Sununu (R).

    Key Opponents of Armenian Genocide Legislation Defeated

    Among key opponents of Armenian American concerns leaving Congress
    at the end of this term are Reps. Nancy Boyda (D-KS), Thelma Drake
    (R-VA), Phil English (R-PA), Randy Kuhl (R-NY), and Chris Shays (R-
    CT) - all of whom lost their re-election bids yesterday. Armenian
    Genocide resolution opponents retiring this term are
    Representatives Bud Cramer (D-AL), Terry Everett (R-AL), James
    Saxton (R-PA) and Tom Tancredo (R-CO).

    ANCA / Horizon TV Provide Live Election Night Coverage

    Armenian Americans in Southern California and around the nation
    followed the election returns live with the ANCA and Horizon
    Television team during a five hour Horizon cable and satellite
    broadcast and simultaneous webcast on the ANCA website
    (www.anca.org.) Hosted by Horizon TV's Manoug Seraydarian and ANC
    Western Region Representative Ani Garabedian, the program featured
    on-site elections updates by ANCA activists from Hawaii to New
    York, phoning in live from Congressional election events across the
    country. Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Assemblyman Paul Krekorian
    (D-CA) provided their insights as well as The Politico's National
    Politics Editor Charlie Mahtesian along with a host of ANCA
    national and regional board members and staff.

    The complete list of ANCA Endorsed candidates and
    their election results is provided below.

    #####

    2008 ANCA CONGRESSIONAL ENDORSEMENTS AND ELECTION OUTCOMES

    Alabama

    District #7: Artur Davis (D) - won election

    American Samoa

    District #AL: Eni Faleomavaega (D) - won election

    Arizona

    District #4: Ed Pastor (D) - won election
    District #7: Raul Grijalva (D) - won election
    District #8: Gabrielle Giffords (D) - won election

    California

    District #1: Mike Thompson (D) - won election
    District #3: Dan Lungren (R) - won election
    District #5: Doris Matsui (D) - won election
    District #6: Lynn Woolsey (D) - won election
    District #7: George Miller (D) - won election
    District #8: Nancy Pelosi (D) - won election
    District #9: Barbara Lee (D) - won election
    District #10: Ellen Tauscher (D) - won election
    District #11: Jerry McNerney (D) - won election
    District #12: Jackie Speier (D) - won election
    District #13: Pete Stark (D) - won election
    District #14: Anna Eshoo (D) - won election
    District #15: Michael Honda (D) - won election
    District #16: Zoe Lofgren (D) - won election
    District #17: Sam Farr (D) - won election
    District #18: Dennis Cardoza (D) - won election
    District #19: George Radanovich (R) - won election
    District #20: Jim Costa (D) - won election
    District #21: Devin Nunes (R) - won election
    District #22: Kevin McCarthy (R) - won election
    District #23: Lois Capps (D) - won election
    District #24: Elton Gallegly (R) - won election
    District #25: Buck McKeon (R) - won election
    District #26: David Dreier (R) - won election
    District #27: Brad Sherman (D) - won election
    District #28: Howard Berman (D) - won election
    District #29: Adam Schiff (D) - won election
    District #30: Henry Waxman (D) - won election
    District #31: Xavier Becerra (D) - won election
    District #32: Hilda Solis (D) - won election
    District #33: Diane Watson (D) - won election
    District #34: Lucille Roybal-Allard (D) - won election
    District #35: Maxine Waters (D) - won election
    District #37: Laura Richardson (D) - won election
    District #38: Grace Napolitano (D) - won election
    District #39: Linda Sanchez (D) - won election
    District #40: Edward Royce (R) - won election
    District #41: Jerry Lewis (R) - won election
    District #42: Gary Miller (R) - won election
    District #43: Joe Baca (D) - won election
    District #44: Ken Calvert (R) - won election
    District #45: Mary Bono Mack (R) - won election
    District #46: Dana Rohrabacher (R) - won election
    District #47: Loretta Sanchez (D) - won election
    District #48: John Campbell (R) - won election
    District #49: Darrell Issa (R) - won election
    District #50: Brian Bilbray (R) - won election
    District #51: Bob Filner (D) - won election
    District #53: Susan Davis (D) - won election

    Colorado

    Senate: Mark Udall (D) - OPEN SEAT - won election

    District #1: Diana DeGette (D) - won election
    District #3: John Salazar (D) - won election
    District #4: Marilyn Musgrave (R) - Defeated
    District #7: Edwin Perlmutter (D) - won election

    Connecticut

    District #1: John Larson (D) - won election
    District #2: Joe Courtney (D) - won election
    District #3: Rosa DeLauro (D) - won election
    District #5: Chris Murphy (D) - won election

    Delaware

    Senate: Joe Biden (D) - won election

    District of Columbia

    District #AL: Eleanor Holmes Norton (D) - won election

    Florida

    District #4: Ander Crenshaw (R) - won election
    District #9: Gus Bilirakis (R) - won election
    District #17: Kendrick Meek (D) - won election
    District #19: Benjamin Graber (I) - CHALLENGER -- Defeated
    District #21: Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R) - won election
    District #22: Ron Klein (D) - won election
    District #25: Mario Diaz-Balart (R) - won election

    Georgia

    District #1: Jack Kingston (R) - won election
    District #5: John Lewis (D) - won election
    District #8: James Marshall (D) - won election
    District #12: John Barrow (D) - won election

    Guam

    District #AL: Madeleine Bordallo (D) - won election

    Hawaii

    District #1: Neil Abercrombie (D) - won election
    District #2: Mazie Hirono (D) - won election

    Illinois

    Senate: Richard Durbin (D) - won election

    District #1: Bobby Rush (D) - won election
    District #2: Jesse Jackson (D) - won election
    District #3: Daniel Lipinski (D) - won election
    District #6: Peter Roskam (R) - won election
    District #7: Danny Davis (D) - won election
    District #8: Steve Greenberg (R) - CHALLENGER -- Defeated
    District #9: Janice Schakowsky (D) - won election
    District #10: Mark Kirk (R) - won election
    District #11: Debbie Halverson (D) - OPEN SEAT -- - won election
    District #12: Jerry Costello (D) - won election
    District #13: Scott Harper (D) - CHALLENGER -- Defeated
    District #14: Bill Foster (D) - won election
    District #16: Donald Manzullo (R) - won election
    District #17: Phillip Hare (D) - won election

    Indiana

    District #1: Peter Visclosky (D) - won election
    District #3: Mark Souder (R) - won election

    Iowa

    District #1: Bruce Braley (D) - won election

    Kentucky

    Senate: Mitch McConnell (R) - won election

    District #3: John Yarmuth (D) - won election

    Louisiana

    District #3: Charlie Melancon (D) - won election

    Maine

    Senate: Susan Collins (R) - won election

    District #1: Chellie Pingree (D) - OPEN SEAT - won election
    District #2: Michael Michaud (D) - won election

    Maryland

    District #3: John Sarbanes (D) - won election
    District #5: Steny Hoyer (D) - won election
    District #8: Christopher Van Hollen (D) - won election

    Massachusetts

    Senate: John Kerry (D) - won election

    District #1: John Olver (D) - won election
    District #2: Richard Neal (D) - won election
    District #3: James McGovern (D) - won election
    District #4: Barney Frank (D) - won election
    District #5: Niki Tsongas (D) - won election
    District #6: John Tierney (D) - won election
    District #7: Edward Markey (D) - won election
    District #8: Michael Capuano (D) - won election
    District #9: Stephen Lynch (D) - won election
    District #10: William Delahunt (D) - won election

    Michigan

    Senate: Carl Levin (D) - won election

    District #4: Dave Camp (R) - won election
    District #5: Dale Kildee (D) - won election
    District #7: Tim Walberg (R) - Defeated
    District #8: Mike Rogers (R) - won election
    District #9: Joe Knollenberg (R) - Defeated
    District #10: Candice Miller (R) - won election
    District #11: Thaddeus McCotter (R) - won election
    District #12: Sander Levin (D) - won election
    District #14: John Conyers (D) - won election

    Minnesota

    Senate: Norm Coleman (R) - Race too close to call

    District #1: Timothy Walz (D) - won election
    District #4: Betty McCollum (D) - won election
    District #5: Keith Maurice Ellison (D) - won election
    District #6: Michele Marie Bachmann (R) - won election
    District #7: Collin Peterson (D) - won election

    Mississippi

    District #2: Bennie Thompson (D) - won election

    Missouri

    District #1: William Clay (D) - won election
    District #5: Emanuel Cleaver (D) - won election

    Nevada

    District #1: Shelley Berkley (D) - won election
    District #3: Jon Porter (R) - Defeated

    New Hampshire

    Senate: John Sununu (R) - Defeated

    District #1: Jeb Bradley (R) - CHALLENGER - Defeated
    District #2: Paul Hodes (D) - won election

    New Jersey

    Senate: Frank Lautenberg (D) - won election

    District #1: Robert Andrews (D) - won election
    District #2: Frank LoBiondo (R) - won election
    District #4: Christopher Smith (R) - won election
    District #5: Scott Garrett (R) - won election
    District #6: Frank Pallone (D) - won election
    District #9: Steven Rothman (D) - won election
    District #10: Donald Payne (D) - won election
    District #11: Rodney Frelinghuysen (R) - won election
    District #12: Rush Holt (D) - won election
    District #13: Albio Sires (D) - won election

    New Mexico

    Senate: Tom Udall (D) - OPEN SEAT - won election

    New York

    District #1: Tim Bishop (D) - won election
    District #2: Steve Israel (D) - won election
    District #3: Peter King (R) - won election
    District #4: Carolyn McCarthy (D) - won election
    District #5: Gary Ackerman (D) - won election
    District #7: Joseph Crowley (D) - won election
    District #8: Jerrold Nadler (D) - won election
    District #9: Anthony Weiner (D) - won election
    District #11: Yvette Clarke (D) - won election
    District #12: Nydia Velazquez (D) - won election
    District #14: Carolyn Maloney (D) - won election
    District #15: Charles Rangel (D) - won election
    District #16: Jose Serrano (D) - won election
    District #17: Eliot Engel (D) - won election
    District #18: Nita Lowey (D) - won election
    District #19: John Hall (D) - won election
    District #20: Kirsten Gillibrand (D) - won election
    District #22: Maurice Hinchey (D) - won election
    District #23: John McHugh (R) - won election
    District #24: Michael Arcuri (D) - won election

    North Carolina

    Senate: Elizabeth Dole (R) - Defeated

    District #1: G.K. Butterfield (D) - won election
    District #12: Melvin Watt (D) - won election

    Ohio

    District #1: Steve Chabot (R) - Defeated
    District #2: David Krikorian (I) - CHALLENGER - Defeated
    District #10: Dennis Kucinich (D) - won election
    District #13: Betty Sue Sutton (D) - won election
    District #14: Steven LaTourette (R) - won election
    District #17: Tim Ryan (D) - won election
    District #18: Zachary Space (D) - won election

    Oregon

    Senate: Jeff Merkley (D) - CHALLENGER - Race too close to call

    District #1: David Wu (D) - won election
    District #3: Earl Blumenauer (D) - won election
    District #4: Peter DeFazio (D) - won election

    Pennsylvania

    District #1: Robert Brady (D) - won election
    District #2: Chaka Fattah (D) - won election
    District #6: Jim Gerlach (R) - won election
    District #13: Allyson Schwartz (D) - won election
    District #14: Mike Doyle (D) - won election
    District #15: Charles Dent (R) - won election
    District #16: Joseph Pitts (R) - won election

    Rhode Island

    Senate: Jack Reed (D) - won election

    District #1: Patrick Kennedy (D) - won election
    District #2: James Langevin (D) - won election

    South Carolina

    District #2: Joe Wilson (R) - won election

    South Dakota

    Senate: Tim Johnson (D) - won election

    District #AL: Stephanie Herseth (D) - won election

    Tennessee

    District #3: Zach Wamp (R) - won election

    Texas

    District #9: Al Green (D) - won election
    District #10: Michael McCaul (R) - won election
    District #18: Sheila Jackson Lee (D) - won election
    District #20: Charlie Gonzalez (D) - won election
    District #23: Ciro Rodriguez (D) - won election
    District #24: Kenny Marchant (R) - won election
    District #25: Lloyd Doggett (D) - won election
    District #29: Gene Green (D) - won election

    Utah

    District #2: Jim Matheson (D) - won election

    Virgin Islands

    District #AL: Donna Christian-Christensen (D) - won election

    Virginia

    District #3: Robert Scott (D) - won election
    District #7: Eric Cantor (R) - won election
    District #8: James Moran (D) - won election
    District #10: Frank Wolf (R) - won election
    District #11: Gerald Connolly (D) - OPEN SEAT - won election

    Washington

    District #3: Brian Baird (D) - won election
    District #5: Cathy McMorris (R) - won election
    District #7: Jim McDermott (D) - won election
    District #8: Dave Reichert (R) - won election

    Wisconsin

    District #1: Paul Ryan (R) - won election
    District #2: Tammy Baldwin (D) - won election
    District #3: Ron Kind (D) - won election
    District #5: F. James Sensenbrenner (R) - won election
    District #8: Steven Leslie Kagen (D) - won election
Working...
X