What does this map mean for the Armenian lobby?
Aram Suren Hamparian
![Aram Suren Hamparian]()
Aram Suren Hamparian
Executive Director at Armenian National Committee of America
My two cents:
- In general terms, it shows that the U.S. electorate is increasingly divided - politically, geographically, and demographically (urban, suburban, rural, etc.).
- More specifically, it shows that these divides strongly influence the representation of Armenian Americans, who are today, in large part, voting in areas of the country with Democratic Representatives and Senators (California, New England, Mid-Atlantic, and Mid-West).
- Legislators in Democratic (blue) areas of this map will remain responsive to and supportive of constituent, moral, and geopolitical concerns, particularly those in swing states and districts.
- Legislators in Republican areas (red) of this map who do not have a large Armenian American electorate will be responsive to moral and values based concerns and geopolitical issues, reflecting and reinforcing Armenia's powerful civilizational ties of faith and freedom to America and the democratic family of nations.
- Heading into the front-loaded 2020 primary season, the large Armenian American community in California (primary on March 3rd) is - within this highly polarized political environment - powerfully positioned to play a pivotal (possibly king/queen-maker) role in choosing the next President.
Two takeaways: 1) Reinforce legislative relationships in blue areas and 2) both expand and escalate grassroots activism in red areas.
As always, would welcome your thoughts and offers to help maximize our Armenian American political leverage in advancing our pro-Armenian policy priorities. - Aram Hamparian, ANCA
Founder, Armo Brands Inc. Operating as Fresh Burger
6 年Relocate Armenians to Florida and you can call the shots. Being strong in California means nothing. No one even campaigns in California.
C-Level Executive and Board Advisor specializing in leadership of companies through high-growth or distressed situations.
6 年I would suggest that activating Armenian American voters for the 2020 election cycle focus on the key constituency concerns which can't be, repeat, CANNOT BE, Turkey Centric. Thousands of Armenian-Americans are small business owners, or middle class service and manufacturing workers. They live in deep blue areas oppressed by excessive taxation, anti business vitriol and anti religion [read Anti Christian] sentiment and legislative bias. We are a Christian, American, Family First, Business Driven diaspora. Almost nothing in the DNC platform speaks to these demographic characteristics. DNC hasn't delivered tax relief in CA, hasn't offered ubiquitous protections of all religious practices, hasn't supported small business development, employment, growth in decades and hasn't defended the family construct in courts, healthcare, education or community safety. We may also add that for 103 years the truth of the genocide has remained subjugated to the appeasement of Turkey. Most complicit in this have been the military ties to Turkey. It's time the ANCA pay more attention to the last A in the acronym. We are Americans, and particularly in CA, IL, NY, we suffer under a political monopoly that can't be tolerated anymore.