Southern Calif. Armenians unite for Katcho Achadjian’s bid for Congress

PanARMENIAN.Net - On February 24, 60 distinguished Armenians gathered in support of State Assemblyman Katcho Achadjian’s bid to represent the 24 District of California in the United States House of Representatives. The event raised more than $75,000.00 for the campaign, Asbarez reports.

The Honorable Judge Dikran Tevrizian, the Honorable Walter Karabian, Frank Melkonian, Charles Ghailian, Berj Boyajian, Esq., Vahe Yacoubian, Esq., and Harry Nadjarian, who had joined efforts in support of Assemblyman Katcho Achadjian’s Congressional bid, hosted the event.

Vatche Fermanian, Antranik Sinanian, Nicholas Nadjarian, John Simonian, Haig Tacorian, Albert Boyajian, Haig Kelegian, Berdj Karapetian and Yervant Demirjian were co-hosts.

“As active members of the Armenian community and seasoned professionals in law, business, philanthropy and more, these individuals — Democrats and Republicans alike– have taken careful note of Assemblyman Achadjian’s significant contributions to the Armenian community worldwide and concluded that he deserves the support of all Armenians in his quest to represent them in Washington D.C” said one of the young professionals attending the fundraiser.

“It is both humbling and energizing to have the support of Armenians across the political spectrum. Their generosity and support is overwhelming,” said State Assemblyman Achadjian.

In 2013, Katcho helped lead a delegation of California State officials, including the Speaker of the Assembly, on a week-long mission to Armenia, drawing the attention of the State’s decision makers to Armenia’s culture, history and political conditions. This was the first such visit by a Speaker of the Assembly in the history of California, while in office.

Assemblyman Achadjian faces a tough race for Congress with eight opponents. Armenians make up less than one percent of the congressional district for which he is running (San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and part of Ventura Counties).

A new poll of voters along the Central Coast showed in early February that Achadjian as the leading candidate in the race for the 24th Congressional District.

When asked if the primary election were tomorrow, 20% of voters responded they would vote for Katcho, with the next closest candidates being Democratic Mayor Helene Schneider and Democratic Supervisor Salud Carbajal, neck-and-neck at 12%, and all other candidates each with 7% or less.

Further, after voters learned more about Katcho, his lead among candidates for the 24th Congressional District widened even more to 29% over Schneider’s 12%, Carbajal’s 11%, and all other candidates each with 4% or less.