As the Glendale Municipal and Super Tuesday Election fast approaches, data drawn from the city clerk’s office on Thursday revealed City Council candidates vary vastly in their campaign finances reported through the end of February.
City Council incumbent Ardy Kassakhian raised the most money, totaling $153,868 through individual and Political Action Committee contributions, as well as through organizations reporting “independent expenditures,” for advertising or communications. According to the Federal Election Commission, independent expenditures are not contributions and not subject to limits.
Kassakhian’s contributions totaled $92,719 from July 2023 to March 1, including donations from Planned Parenthood Advocates Pasadena and San Gabriel Valley PAC and All For Health, Health For All.
Kassakhian reported $61,149 in support through independent expenditures, listed as being from BizFed PAC, a project of Los Angeles County Business Federation, Glendale Firefighters For Better Government, National Association of Realtors Fund and Glendale Teachers Public Education Improvement Fund.
Candidate Vrej Agajanian tallied $112,095 in campaign contributions — though about 55% of this total came from personal loans Agajanian made to his own campaign. Mega Commercial Construction Inc., Brand Banquets Inc. and Grandview Financial Services were among his contributors. He also received $10,773 from independent expenditures, bringing his grand total to $122,868.
Excluding Agajanian’s personal campaign loans, candidate Vartan Gharpetian came in second for raising the most funds, totaling $104,737. He received $69,275 in contributions from notable donors including Glendale Firefighters For Better Government and Glendale City Employee Association PAC Fund. In independent expenditures, Gharpetian received $35,462 from organizations such as BizFed PAC and National Association of Realtors Fund.
Beginning in 2024, Denise Miller raised $20,789 in contributions from donors such as the National Women’s Political Caucus and The American Occupational Therapy Association PAC. Miller also received $11,495 from independent expenditures, making her fundraising total $32,284.
In 2023 and 2024, Karen Kwak received $20,416 in total campaign funding — $9,216 from independent expenditures and $11,200 in contributions. Glendale Teachers Public Education Improvement Fund was a notable donor for her independent expenditures.
As of Jan. 31, James Clark had received $525 in contributions and had no listed independent expenditures.
The city clerk’s office told the News-Press they did not receive any financial disclosure information for Andre Hagverdian.
Where to Vote in Glendale
Voters have until Tuesday, March 5, to cast their ballots in the statewide primary election as well as for local elections like City Council and Glendale Unified School District Board of Education. They can also mail in or drop off ballots or vote in person at any vote center location countywide.
The 11-day vote centers have been open since Feb. 24, and are open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- AYAC Mesdijan Center: 1811 S. Glendale Ave.
- Glendale Community College: 1500 N. Verdugo Road
First published in the March 2 print issue of the Glendale News-Press.
