First published in the June 18 print issue of the Glendale News-Press.
Updates to the primary election this week tightened up most of Glendale’s races and even featured some prominent swaps in place as voters’ ballots continue to be tabulated.
Incumbent Councilman Dan Brotman solidified his lead in the eight-candidate City Council race, now with at least 15,005 votes. Newcomer Elen Asatryan, a community organizer, moved into second place with 12,571 votes, with incumbent Ara Najarian, who is seeking his fifth term, taking a third-place position with 11,569 votes. He led Vrej Agajanian, a fellow incumbent, by exactly 100 votes. The election goes to the top three candidates.
Meanwhile, Suzie Abajian, a former South Pasadena school board member, overtook Greg Krikorian, an outgoing five-term Glendale school board member, in the race for City Clerk. As of the most recent update, Abajian held a 52.21% lead, with 15,718 votes —1,329 more than Krikorian had received.
The two competitive races on the Glendale Unified School District Board of Education have also narrowed significantly, with both within a percent of each other.
In Trustee Area B, Ingrid Gunnel took the lead, with 3,804 votes representing 50.67% of ballots cast. Her opponent Lerna Amiryans had 3,703 votes as of Friday’s update. The winner for this seat will replace Krikorian.
For Trustee Area C, challenger Kathleen Cross held a narrow 50.75% lead over incumbent Armina Gharpetian, with Cross having at least 4,117 votes and Gharpetian 3,966.
Measure T, an item to impose a three-term limit on the GUSD school board, maintained its healthy lead through all of the updates. It is currently enjoying an 89.09% victory, with 31,664 votes to approve it. Just 3,876 have voted against it.
The elections for City Treasurer and school board Trustee Area C were uncompetitive this year, with incumbents Rafi Manoukian and Shant Sahakian being automatically reelected.
