Hadjinian Wins Montebello City Council Race

MONTEBELLO—Current election results show that on November 8, Jack Hadjinian was elected to the Montebello City Council in the city’s municipal election. Hadjinian is the first Armenian American to be elected to the Montebello City Council. He is a long-time member of the Armenian National Committee of America, San Gabriel Valley Chapter. This was his first bid for a City Council seat.
Hadjinian, attributed his victory to his positive efforts saying the community rejected negative campaigning efforts by other candidates. “I ran a positive campaign because my campaign was not about tearing anyone else down. Instead, it was about helping our city come out of its recent problems and grow for the future,” said Hadjinian. “I am proud that I will be the first Armenian American in the oldest Armenian community in Southern California to serve on the Montebello City Council. I am sure I will not be the last.”
The ANCA SGV congratulated Hadjinian on his campaign victory. “We are excited to have one of our community’s own earn this great opportunity to serve the residents of Montebello,” said Viken Pakradouni, Chairman of the ANCA SGV. “After having a vibrant community in the City for the past 50 years, this was a natural next step in our community’s participation in civic life.”
Marshaling the forces of the sizable and long-standing Armenian American community of Montebello, as well as working with community coalitions within the city, the ANCA SGV mobilized a strong “get out the vote” drive to encourage voter participation.
“As a community, we cannot complain about the state of things if we are not willing to get to the polls to cast our vote and take that first step in having our voices heard,” added Pakradouni. “We are happy to see the community get to the polls today, but we can do better and will continue to push for even greater participation in future elections.”
Hadjinian is a third generation resident of Montebello. Hadjinian is a graduate of the Armenian Mesrobian School, has served on the Board of Trustees of the Holy Cross Armenian Apostolic Cathedral as treasurer and is a member of the Montebello-Stepanakert Sister City Association.
Hadjinian is currently a Los Angeles County Commissioner serving on the Assessment Appeals Board. He has also served on the Montebello Civil Service Commission as well as the City of Montebello’s Investment Committee and the Montebello Police Department’s Public Safety Committee. He has also served as the Chairman of the Board of the Montebello Chamber of Commerce.
The election results are not final as absentee and provisional votes have not yet been counted; but the results are not expected to change.
Incumbent City Council Member Alberto Perez who was also endorsed by the ANCA SGV lost his bid for re-election on Tuesday. Incumbent Councilmember Christina Cortez was elected to another term.
“We wish Council Member Perez the best of success in his future endeavors and thank him for his steadfast service to the City Council. We hope that he will continue to work closely with the San Gabriel Valley Armenian community in the years to come,” said Pakradouni.
The Armenian National Committee of America, San Gabriel Valley Chapter advocates for the social, economic, cultural, and political rights of the area’s Armenian American community and promotes increased Armenian American civic participation at the grassroots and public policy levels.