Glendale City Councilwoman Elen Asatryan launched her campaign for the California State Assembly’s 44th District on June 6.
If elected, Asatryan would be the first Armenian American immigrant in the California State Legislature in its 174-year history.
“I’m excited for the opportunity to continue to serve my community in the California State Legislature,” said Asatryan in a statement. “I plan on building on my long history of advocacy and leadership at the local, state and federal levels and bring our fight for social justice, small businesses, women’s rights, environmental protections and working families to Sacramento. I’m honored to have the support of so many in our community who have encouraged me to take this step.”
Asatryan entered the race with the endorsement of local state Sen. Anthony Portantino.
“I am thrilled to support Elen Asatryan for state Assembly,” Portantino said in a statement. “As your state senator, I know firsthand that we need representatives in Sacramento that are smart, hardworking and committed to serving our community. Elen brings all of that to the table and more. I’ve seen Elen dedicate herself to improving all our lives and she is a fierce fighter for our children, our local economy, our environment and the diversity that makes our community so special. Elen is the best choice to represent us in Sacramento and am proud to endorse my good friend for the state assembly.”
Asatryan attributes being a community leader to her experience immigrating to the U.S. after the collapse of the Soviet Union. After settling in Glendale, Asatryan and her family rebuilt their lives learning a new culture and language and used their entrepreneurial spirit to build new businesses to achieve the American dream, according to a statement by Asatryan’s team.
Spanning over two decades, Asatryan spearheaded and led initiatives and campaigns on the local, state and federal level, which include: ensuring equal access and representation in government; creating public policy fellowship and internship programs for high school, college students and recent college graduates; establishing the Glendale Domestic Violence Task Force; expanding green space; and access to programs for low-income families and marginalized communities.
The California State Assembly District 44 includes North Glendale, Montrose, La Crescenta, Sunland-Tujunga, Shadow Hills, North Hollywood, Burbank, Toluca Lake, Studio City, Sherman Oaks and Valley Village.
Asatryan is a graduate of local public schools: Columbus Elementary School, Toll Middle School, Herbert Hoover High School and UCLA. Asatryan obtained a Bachelor of Arts in political science with concentrations in American politics and international relations. Asatryan resides in Glendale with her rescue dog, Buddy.
For more information, visit the website ElectElen.com.
First published in the June 17 print issue of the Glendale News-Press.
