RACINE–Armenian-Americans from Racine met with Democratic Presidential hopeful John Kerry and representatives of his campaign staff during the days leading up to the Senator’s victory in the state primary elections–reported the Armenian American Democratic Leadership Council (AADLC).
Kerry Campaign representative Rob Hill–visited St. Hagop Armenian Church in Racine on February 15 to provide an update of efforts to secure the Democratic Presidential nomination–and answered questions on the Senator’s key campaign initiatives–potential running mates–and prescription drug plans for senior citizens.
When asked about Senator Kerry’s views on proper US recognition of the Armenian Genocide–Hill stated that the Senator is currently a co-sponsor of the Genocide Resolution (S.Res.164)–and that he believed if elected President–Kerry would properly characterize the Armenian Genocide as "genocide." On February 16–Wisconsin Armenian Democrats Holly Khaligian and Vache Mikaelian met Senator Kerry at a campaign rally held at the Italian Community Center in Milwaukee.
Armenian American Democrats have reached out to Democratic Presidential hopefuls throughout the campaign season–beginning with phone banking and canvassing efforts in the Iowa Caucus and the New Hampshire primary. The AADLC sent a 2000 piece mailer to New Hampshire households–highlighting the records of each of the Democratic Candidates on Armenian American concerns. Prior to the Virginia primary–Armenia’s for Kerry volunteers contacted Armenian American households throughout the state urging support for the Massachusetts Senator. Armenia’s for Kerry volunteers Tsoghig Margossian and Jeff Marootian joined Sen. Kerry on stage during his primary victory speech in Fairfax–Virginia.