Armenian groups take sides in Rogan-Schiff race

Claudia Peschiutta

GLENDALE -- Political groups and parties that could help sway the

decisions of thousands of Armenian-American voters in the area are taking

sides in the Rogan-Schiff race.

The Armenian National Committee is set to announce its endorsement

today, but two of Armenia’s oldest political parties have already made

their choice public.

The Social Democratic Hunchakian Party and the Armenian Democratic

Liberal Party, also known as Ramgavar, have decided to help U.S. Rep.

James Rogan (R-Glendale) keep the 27th Congressional District seat from

his opponent, state Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Glendale).

Krikor Khodanian of the Hunchakian Party said Monday the group had not

yet made its endorsement official but would be doing so next week.

The party, he said, has traditionally endorsed Democrats but decided

to back Rogan in this election and the last one because of his record on

Armenian issues.

The congressman has sought to gain official recognition of the

Armenian Genocide, increase U.S. aid to Armenia and support

Nagorno-Karabakh (a region disputed by Armenia and neighboring

Azerbaijan), Khodanian said.

“We think that Rogan is sincere in his commitment to the Armenian

issues,” he said. “Schiff is a latecomer to the Armenian issues. He

doesn’t have a record with us.”

Parke Skelton, manager of the Schiff campaign, pointed to the state

senator’s efforts, which include calling for the opening of a California

Trade Office in Yerevan, Armenia’s capital city, and procuring a state

grant of nearly $500,000 for the filming of a documentary on the Armenian

Genocide.

“Schiff has an extra good record on issues of concern to the

Armenian-American community,” he said.

The Armenian Democratic Liberal Party announced its endorsement in a

statement released by the Rogan campaign Monday.

“Congressman Rogan’s record is a shining example of a politician whose

deeds surpass his words pertaining to issues that are critical to

Armenians,” the party said in the statement.

Vicken Papazian, executive director of Armenian National Committee’s

western region, said the group has had a hard time deciding between

Schiff and Rogan. The committee has endorsed both candidates in the past

and they both have good records on Armenian issues, he said.

“We are looking to support that person who’s going to take it to that

next level of understanding and leadership,” Papazian said.

Albert Abkarian, chairman of the Armenian-American Republican Council,

said his group and others would hold a press conference Wednesday to

announce their endorsements of Rogan’s reelection campaign.

The endorsements of Armenian groups will have a definite influence on

Armenian voters in November’s election, said Peter Abajian, western

region director of the Armenian Assembly of America.

“With a high percentage of new voters, these endorsements will be very

important,” Abajian said. “That will be one of their primary sources of

information.”

Glendale has an estimated 40,000 Armenian residents, a population

rivaled only by that of Yerevan.

Glendale City Councilman Rafi Manoukian attributed his win in 1999 to

Armenian voters. He and others have since started “25,000 in 2000,” a

campaign to get 25,000 Armenian-American voters to the polls this year.

Many newly registered Armenian voters will be looking to see which

candidates are supported by groups that represent Armenian interests,

Abajian said.

“If they want to woo new voters, these endorsements are important for

them to pursue and obtain,” he said.