Yes, I know, it’s become cliché but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t apply.
The 43rd Assembly District, which includes Glendale and Burbank, has not been held by a Republican since my former boss, Jim Rogan, left the seat for Congress in 1996. Rogan was elected in a special election succeeding former Assembly GOP Leader Pat Nolan. In those years, this seat was a bedrock Republican district but an influx of new Americans, primarily Armenian and Latino, have changed the demographics and ideological bent of the district. Additionally, this has become a bedroom community for entertainment industry workers who also sit on the left of the political spectrum.
Today, the district is 2-1 Democrat with another quarter of voters decline-to-state. On the surface, Republicans should not be in the game here but due to a special election triggered by incumbent Paul Krekorian’s election to the L.A. City Council, we have a very unique opportunity.
On April 13th, Republican Sunder Ramani, an Indian immigrant, successful small businessman, and community leader, narrowly missed first place by a few hundred votes to Liberal Mike Gatto, former district director to San Fernando Valley Congressman Brad Sherman. The third place candidate, also a Democrat, was Nayiri Nahabedian, one of two Armenian candidates in the race. Ramani spent $4.37 per vote while Gatto spent $37 – a 9-1 spending advantage.
The two top vote getters, Ramani and Gatto, will now face each other in a run-off on June 8th concurrent with the primary election for the November general.
The Republican. Sunder Ramani is an exceptional candidate. Moving to Glendale with his family, immigrants from India, when he was seven, he attended Herbert Hoover High School, Glendale College and Cal State Northridge. He built a successful business career in the area and invested himself in the community. Sunder has a magnetic personality and a ready-smile which belies his seriousness of purpose – a trait those that have worked with him well-know. But what is most exceptional is his involvement in the community. His list of accomplishments and associations in philanthropy, education, and other community organizations would make some of the most accomplished Californians blush. He is an extraordinary public servant whose tireless efforts have won him friends and admirers across the political spectrum. As a result, prominent Democrats throughout the district have publicly endorsed him.
The Democrat. Mike Gatto, an Indian gaming attorney, ran a nasty campaign against Nahabedian and further damaged his already strained relationship with the large Armenian community. Armenians will make up as much as 30% of the vote on June 8th and this left leaning block distrusts Gatto, who failed to show up for the April 24th genocide commemoration (a stunning slight to the community).
Meanwhile, Ramani enjoys strong support in the Armenian community and has made deep inroads among some of the staunchest Democrat groups.
While L.A. County Republicans have not had much to smile about in recent years, GOP Chairman Jane Barnett has breathed new life into the organization and mobilized an impressive army of support from around the county into the 43rd. She is fully committed to the race and a true believer in Sunder’s opportunity on June 8th.
Assembly Republican Leader Martin Garrick has also stepped up his involvement. Garrick has given Ramani the Assembly Republican Caucus endorsement, personally engaged district leaders, and scheduled a fundraiser for Ramani in Glendale.
However, Ramani can expect to be outspent again as Democrats know the real threat that he is to their 14-year lock on the district. After raising $200,000 in the April 13 special, Ramani needs an additional influx of money to keep up with Gatto and his union sponsors.
I’d encourage all Flash readers to make a contribution today – any amount – and help us light a fire in L.A. County that will demonstrate to Republicans throughout the state the opportunities we have anywhere in the state in 2010.
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