The Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region (ANCA-WR) today announced its endorsement of Senator Anthony Portantino for the 30th Congressional District of California.
California’s 30th Congressional District is home to the largest concentration of Armenian-American constituents anywhere in the United State. The district includes part of Pasadena and the communities of Glendale, Burbank, the Foothills, and Little Armenia.
“Senator Portantino’s commitment to the Armenian-American Community is manifest in his unrelenting advocacy for Armenian issues,” said ANCA-WR Board Chair Nora Hovsepian, Esq.
“Senator Portantino has worked closely with the ANCA-WR for many years both as a State Assemblymember and then as State Senator, and we look forward to continuing our close partnership with him in Congress. We are confident that he will be the leading voice for Armenian-Americans in the United States Congress as he follows in the footsteps and example set by Congressman Adam Schiff. While we typically do not issue endorsements this early in a campaign, we make exceptions for candidates who have proven themselves to be champions of our Cause and leaders on our issues, as Senator Portantino most certainly has over a period of many years. We are therefore proud to stand with him from this early stage of the campaign.”
The ANCA – Western Region is the largest and most influential Armenian-American grassroots advocacy organization in the Western United States. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the Western United States and affiliated organizations around the country, the ANCA-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian-American community on a broad range of issues.
In 2018, Portantino and other state and local leaders visited Armenia as part of an ANCA-WR-led delegation focused on deepening economic ties between California and Armenia.
As the chair of the senate appropriations committee, Portantino has supported various Armenian-American institutions like the Armenian Relief Society and the Armenian-American Museum, which was allocated $10 million in Governor Newsom’s budget.
During his time as chair of the senate budget subcommittee on Education from 2018-2019, Senator Portantino successfully allocated $500,000 to California’s state budget to fund curricula on the Armenian Genocide.
In 2021, the Senator introduced legislation ensuring that California taxpayers no longer fund the Turkish Government and its continued denial of the Armenian Genocide.
Senate Bill 457, introduced by Senators Anthony Portantino and Scott Wilk, allowed local agencies to divest from Turkey. The bill passed in the California Senate with overwhelming support.
More recently, Portantino and 21 other legislators from California’s Senate and Assembly authored a letter to President Biden regarding Azerbaijan’s ongoing blockade of Artsakh. The letter calls upon the Biden Administration:
• To condemn and call for the unconditional lifting of the blockade by Azerbaijan;
• To allocate humanitarian assistance to Artsakh;
• To halt all U.S. military aid to Azerbaijan under Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act;
• To sanction the Aliyev regime under the Global Magnitsky Act for violating International Humanitarian Law; and
• To introduce a resolution in the United Nations to establish a mission in Artsakh to ensure regional peace and security.
“I am extremely honored to receive the endorsement of the Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region. I have many long-standing friendships with ANCA members and grassroots activists, and I have been proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with my friends for human rights, Genocide recognition, condemning the violent Azeri attacks on Arstakh and supporting increased trade and cooperation between California and Armenia. I can think of no better way to begin my campaign to succeed Adam Schiff than with the support of the ANCA.
From my youth, I remember my mother speaking about Armenian orphans in the wake of the Genocide, and I was pleased to have developed friendships in California where I can utilize my mother’s lessons to make a positive difference for a vibrant community. I have been to Armenia and Artsakh four times, and I look forward to my continued support of Armenian American causes and greater community in Congress,” said Portantino.