Tweet
Hartford Courant, CT
May 10 2013
Former Secretary Of The State Julia Tashjian Dies At 74
By CHRISTOPHER KEATING, [email protected]
The Hartford Courant
5:51 p.m. EDT, May 10, 2013
Politicians around the state are mourning the death of former
Secretary of the State Julia H. Tashjian, a well-known figure in state
politics in the 1980s.
Tashjian, a Windsor Democrat who served as the state's chief elections
official from 1983 to 1991, died of a heart attack Thursday. She would
have turned 75 on June 8.
She lost her statewide post to Republican Pauline Kezer before
attempting a political comeback in the 1994 Democratic primary against
Miles S. Rapoport of West Hartford. Rapoport won in a
closer-than-expected primary and then won again in November.
"We mourn the loss of Julia Tashjian, a self-made woman of the modern
political era in the mold of Ella Grasso and other strong leaders of
the state of Connecticut,'' said Denise Merrill, the current secretary
of the state. "Julia Tashjian was a fierce defender of democracy,
wanting every voter to have a voice. She took her role very seriously,
even serving as president of the National Association of Secretaries
of State. As the daughter of immigrant parents who were Armenian
refugees, Julia Tashjian was always grateful for the gifts of
education, economic prosperity, and freedom from oppression given to
her by our great state and country.''
Merrill continued, "Julia was a trailblazer for women interested in
elective office but always valued her Armenian traditions and never
forgot her humble roots. A graduate of the Hartford public school
system, Julia truly viewed public service as a way to give back to her
community.''
In a statement, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said: "As secretary of the
state, Julia made great strides to modernize the office and encourage
greater participation in our democracy. I will remember Julia for her
years of public service, cheerful demeanor and pride in her Armenian
American heritage."
Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman said, "Julia always had a smile and a laugh for
everyone. But behind that easygoing personality she was a very
hardworking public servant who was dedicated to her state, her family
and her beloved Armenian community."
A Rhode Island native, Tashjian moved with her family to Connecticut
in her early years and attended public schools in Hartford. A
Democratic stalwart, she was a delegate to national conventions and an
elected member of the state central committee before winning her first
statewide election in 1982.
Despite eventually losing the Democratic primary in 1994, Tashjian did
better than expected. She apparently benefited from having her name
appear next to gubernatorial candidate William Curry, who won a strong
victory over John B. Larson of East Hartford that year.
State Rep. Mary Mushinsky, D-Wallingford, said at the time that
Rapoport was penalized by being on the same ballot line as Larson, the
loser in the gubernatorial race. "He's being sucked down by Larson,
and Tashjian is benefiting from Curry,'' said Mushinsky, who backed
Rapoport and Curry. ``Progressives did try to co-work for both Curry
and Rapoport, but the effort was hampered by the two candidates' being
on different lines. The message did not get through."
http://www.courant.com/news/politics/hc-julia-tashjian-dead-20130510,0,1610862.story
From: Baghdasarian
May 10 2013
Former Secretary Of The State Julia Tashjian Dies At 74
By CHRISTOPHER KEATING, [email protected]
The Hartford Courant
5:51 p.m. EDT, May 10, 2013
Politicians around the state are mourning the death of former
Secretary of the State Julia H. Tashjian, a well-known figure in state
politics in the 1980s.
Tashjian, a Windsor Democrat who served as the state's chief elections
official from 1983 to 1991, died of a heart attack Thursday. She would
have turned 75 on June 8.
She lost her statewide post to Republican Pauline Kezer before
attempting a political comeback in the 1994 Democratic primary against
Miles S. Rapoport of West Hartford. Rapoport won in a
closer-than-expected primary and then won again in November.
"We mourn the loss of Julia Tashjian, a self-made woman of the modern
political era in the mold of Ella Grasso and other strong leaders of
the state of Connecticut,'' said Denise Merrill, the current secretary
of the state. "Julia Tashjian was a fierce defender of democracy,
wanting every voter to have a voice. She took her role very seriously,
even serving as president of the National Association of Secretaries
of State. As the daughter of immigrant parents who were Armenian
refugees, Julia Tashjian was always grateful for the gifts of
education, economic prosperity, and freedom from oppression given to
her by our great state and country.''
Merrill continued, "Julia was a trailblazer for women interested in
elective office but always valued her Armenian traditions and never
forgot her humble roots. A graduate of the Hartford public school
system, Julia truly viewed public service as a way to give back to her
community.''
In a statement, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said: "As secretary of the
state, Julia made great strides to modernize the office and encourage
greater participation in our democracy. I will remember Julia for her
years of public service, cheerful demeanor and pride in her Armenian
American heritage."
Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman said, "Julia always had a smile and a laugh for
everyone. But behind that easygoing personality she was a very
hardworking public servant who was dedicated to her state, her family
and her beloved Armenian community."
A Rhode Island native, Tashjian moved with her family to Connecticut
in her early years and attended public schools in Hartford. A
Democratic stalwart, she was a delegate to national conventions and an
elected member of the state central committee before winning her first
statewide election in 1982.
Despite eventually losing the Democratic primary in 1994, Tashjian did
better than expected. She apparently benefited from having her name
appear next to gubernatorial candidate William Curry, who won a strong
victory over John B. Larson of East Hartford that year.
State Rep. Mary Mushinsky, D-Wallingford, said at the time that
Rapoport was penalized by being on the same ballot line as Larson, the
loser in the gubernatorial race. "He's being sucked down by Larson,
and Tashjian is benefiting from Curry,'' said Mushinsky, who backed
Rapoport and Curry. ``Progressives did try to co-work for both Curry
and Rapoport, but the effort was hampered by the two candidates' being
on different lines. The message did not get through."
http://www.courant.com/news/politics/hc-julia-tashjian-dead-20130510,0,1610862.story
From: Baghdasarian