Adrin Nazarian

Adrin Nazarian
Ատրին Նազարեան
Member of the California State Assembly
from the 46th district
Assumed office
December 3, 2012
Preceded by new district
Personal details
Born (1973-03-19) March 19, 1973
Iran
Nationality American
Political party Democratic
Spouse(s) Diana
Residence Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles, California
Alma mater University of California, Los Angeles
Occupation Politician
Website asmdc.org/members/a46/

Adrin Nazarian (Armenian: Ատրին Նազարեան; hayer: [hɑˈjɛɾ], born March 19, 1973) is an American politician and member of the California State Assembly representing the 46th district, encompassing the central-southern San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles. He is a member of the Democratic Party. He is of Iranian-Armenian descent. As of November 2014 is the first and only Iranian-American elected to the California State Legislature.[1]

Biography

Adrin Nazarian was born in Iran. As a child, his family immigrated to the San Fernando Valley in Southern California. He grew up there and graduated from a local Valley school before receiving his BA degree in Economics from UCLA in 1996.

Nazarian served as chief of staff to Councilmember Paul Krekorian, who represented the communities of Studio City, Sherman Oaks, Valley Village, North Hollywood and Valley Glen. Previously, Nazarian had served as chief of staff to then-Assistant Majority Leader Paul Krekorian in the California State legislature, representing the communities of North Hollywood, Van Nuys, Valley Glen and Toluca Lake among others, since 2006.

Nazarian developed his passion for public service from an early age and while in college decided to volunteer in as many places he could to better understand in what arena he would apply himself. A life altering experience was when he applied to become an interviewer of battered and abused women at the San Fernando Valley Superior Court Domestic Violence Clinic unit as a summer internship job. There he saw first-hand the results of what happens in the privacy of homes, taking down reports in order to submit restraining orders on behalf of the victims. This experience stayed with Nazarian, which years later lead him to sit on the YWCA Board, and has influenced each of his policy making roles in public service.

Upon graduating UCLA, Nazarian participated in the prestigious CORO Fellowship in Public Affairs program. From 1997-1999, he served as an aide to Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA), assisting him with business and labor community issues. In 1999, former Governor Gray Davis appointed Nazarian as Special Assistant to the California Trade and Commerce Agency. During his tenure at the agency, he helped establish the Division of Science, Technology and Innovation, which focused on creating and maintaining technology-based jobs in California.

Adrin believes in civic engagement and the importance of giving back to his community, he has served on the boards of several community-based organizations including the East Valley YMCA and the YWCA. He was one of the founding members of Generation Next Mentorship program which worked with local public schools to give young people alternatives to a life of gangs and drugs.

Adrin and his wife, Diana, reside in Sherman Oaks with their sons Alex and David.

Political career

California State Assembly

The Campaign

The primary election was held on June 5, 2012, where Nazarian placed in first with 27.5% of the vote defeating a crowded field of 6 candidates; Andrew Lachman (D), Adriano Lecaros (D), Brian Johnson (D), Laurette Healey (D), and Jay Stern (R).

On November 6, 2012, Nazarian handily won a resounding victory over his opponent Jay Stern (R) with the support of 71% of the voting electorate.

California's 46th State Assembly district election, 2012
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Adrin Nazarian 11,498 27.5
Republican Jay L. Stern 8,401 20.1
Democratic Brian C. Johnson 8,370 20.0
Democratic Andrew B. Lachman 8,085 19.3
Democratic Laurette Healey 4,502 10.8
Democratic Adriano Lecaros 1,004 2.4
Total votes 41,860 100.0
General election
Democratic Adrin Nazarian 92,870 71.0
Republican Jay L. Stern 37,928 29.0
Total votes 130,798 100.0
Democratic win (new seat)

Assemblymember representing the 46th district

Nazarian introducing his first bill in his first term in office.

On December 3, 2012, Adrin Nazarian was inaugurated into the California State Assembly, representing the 46th district, encompassing the central-southern San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles. He is a member of the Assembly Committees on Budget, Education, Health, Rules, and Transportation. Assemblymember Nazarian also sits on the State Allocation Board.

Legislation 2013-2014

References

  1. ↑ http://www.jewishjournal.com/iranianamericanjews/item/webast_interview_california_assembly_member_adrin_nazarian_on_no_ruz_celebr

External links

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