BY DAVID DERSARKISSIAN Asbarez Staff Writer
GLENDALE–Citing a desire to see several key unfinished projects within the City of Glendale through to completion–and the desire to stay in the community he called "one of the nicest and friendliest in the nation," Glendale Mayor and 15-year City Council veteran Larry Zarian announced Tuesday he will not run for the 43rd Assembly District seat currently held by Democrat Scott Wildman.
"I believe it is important to take care of things here at home first before somewhere else," Zarian said. "I’ve been to Sacramento. I know all about Sacramento. I don’t need to be there to still play a major role in legislation–I can do that from here."
Speaking to reporters gathered in his City Hall office–Zarian outlined a host of projects he deemed important to finish–and said Glendale was enjoying tremendous financial and economic success he wished to remain a part of.
Zarian had previously stated he would run for the Sacramento seat if no viable Republican candidate emerged–but reiterated Tuesday that now was not the right time in his life to make the jump.
"I am not ruling out anything in the future–but for right now–for this election and the next two years–I have decided not to seek the seat," Zarian said.
Zarian did not throw his support toward any of the candidates currently on the docket–which includes prominent Armenian Craig Missakian–who made a failed bid for public office in the last election–but did say he would rally behind whichever candidate "could raise money and get the job done."
Along with his desire to finish business in the city–Zarian also cited his family and grandmother–who resides in Glendale–as factors in the decision to stay put.
"If I had decided to run–I am confident I would have had the support and backing to win," Zarian said.
"I have received several phone calls from Republicans and even Democrats telling me to run–and they were disappointed when I told them I wasn’t going to.
"I think they knew I was the only real viable person who could get this job done."
Zarian–who will deliver his state of the city address Thursday–also said Tuesday that he had not made a decision as to whether to seek re-election to the Glendale City Council–saying only that a re-election campaign would be equally as tough.