Yegparian: Delegate Delight

On Sun., Jan. 11, a significant victory was achieved by the Armenian community living in California’s 43rd State Assembly District (AD), led by the efforts of the ANCA.

“What could be so significant on such a small scale?” you’re probably wondering.

Ultimately, the DU slate swept the delegate and e-board elections.
Ultimately, the DU slate swept the delegate and e-board elections.

In January of every odd-numbered year, the Democratic Party of California holds elections for 14 “delegates”—7 men and 7 women—in each of the state’s 80 State AD’s. These delegates represent their district for two years as members of the Democratic State Central Committee, attend the party’s annual conventions, and vote on who the party will endorse in primary elections. Simultaneously, one of those 14 is also elected as a member of the executive board, which handles more of the ongoing business of the party.

For at least the past decade in the 43rd AD, the ANCA has mobilized Armenians who are registered as Democrats to participate in these elections. Some years have seen success; other years have been mixed or horrible.

But as time went on, ANCA members and the community at large learned to participate in this process. I, too, participated in this and previous years, calling many of the same people to remind them to attend the election. Many replied, “Oh yeah, the one at the corner of Olive and Buena Vista.” Though the location had changed to Glendale Community College this year, they still came.

But they were not alone. Armenian Democrats were building coalitions, primarily with “Democrats United for Progress and Victory,” to secure victory. Even the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) had endorsed one of the people who was on the Democrats United (DU) slate.

Everyone pitched in. Some people turned out 10 voters, others many dozens. What made it exciting was that there was an opposing camp, working under the name “Progressive Slate.”

Because of the efforts of both factions, 749 people voted. This was the second highest turnout in the entire state! The two sides in this battle have been clashing in these elections for as long as I can remember, which contributed to the charged atmosphere, but also made it fun.

Counting all those ballots, by hand, with up to 14 names to read off each one, took well over 4 hours. Observers from both sides were alternately pleased or nervous as the hash-marks accumulated on the ballot counters’ tally sheets. Eventually, it was pretty clear that the DU slate was winning.

Ultimately, the DU slate swept the delegate and e-board elections. The accompanying table shows the results.

This episode teaches a few good lessons: Fight political battles energetically; persist, year after year and continue to organize the Armenian community; and build coalitions with those who have shared goals and approaches.

Maybe in January 2017 you, too, will participate in an AD delegate election, or its equivalent in the Republican (or even other, minor) party. This kind of engagement builds the Armenian community’s political muscle. Join the efforts.

Garen Yegparian

Garen Yegparian

Asbarez Columnist
Garen Yegparian is a fat, bald guy who has too much to say and do for his own good. So, you know he loves mouthing off weekly about anything he damn well pleases to write about that he can remotely tie in to things Armenian. He's got a checkered past: principal of an Armenian school, project manager on a housing development, ANC-WR Executive Director, AYF Field worker (again on the left coast), Operations Director for a telecom startup, and a City of LA employee most recently (in three different departments so far). Plus, he's got delusions of breaking into electoral politics, meanwhile participating in other aspects of it and making sure to stay in trouble. His is a weekly column that appears originally in Asbarez, but has been republished to the Armenian Weekly for many years.
Garen Yegparian

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