Elen Asatryan

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Elen Asatryan
Image of Elen Asatryan

Democratic Party

Elections and appointments
Last election

March 5, 2024

Education

High school

Herbert Hoover High School

Bachelor's

UCLA, 2005

Personal
Profession
City council member
Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Twitter

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Personal Facebook

Personal Instagram

Elen Asatryan (Democratic Party) ran for election to the California State Assembly to represent District 44. She lost in the primary on March 5, 2024.

Asatryan completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Elen Asatryan was born in Yerevan, Armenia. She graduated from Herbert Hoover High School. She earned a bachelor's degree from UCLA in 2005. Her career experience includes working as a city council member.[1]

Elections

2024

See also: California State Assembly elections, 2024

General election

General election for California State Assembly District 44

Nick Schultz defeated Tony Rodriguez in the general election for California State Assembly District 44 on November 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Nick Schultz
Nick Schultz (D) Candidate Connection
 
65.9
 
143,625
Image of Tony Rodriguez
Tony Rodriguez (R) Candidate Connection
 
34.1
 
74,316

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 217,941
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for California State Assembly District 44

The following candidates ran in the primary for California State Assembly District 44 on March 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Nick Schultz
Nick Schultz (D) Candidate Connection
 
28.3
 
31,121
✔
Image of Tony Rodriguez
Tony Rodriguez (R) Candidate Connection
 
25.7
 
28,280
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Ed Han (D)
 
16.0
 
17,589
Image of Elen Asatryan
Elen Asatryan (D) Candidate Connection
 
13.3
 
14,692
Image of Steve Pierson
Steve Pierson (D) Candidate Connection
 
7.7
 
8,508
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Carmenita Helligar (D)
 
5.6
 
6,178
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Adam Summer (No party preference)
 
2.0
 
2,224
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Adam Pryor (D)
 
1.4
 
1,566

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 110,158
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Campaign finance

Endorsements

To view Asatryan's endorsements as published by their campaign, click here. Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Asatryan in this election.

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection

Elen Asatryan completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Asatryan's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

I am an award-winning human and civil rights activist, community advocate, and businesswoman who has invested a majority of my life in our community and its challenges. My life is one of the American Dream. A first-generation immigrant, I was at the formative age of 10 years old when my family moved from Armenia to Glendale. I proudly remain a product of the community that afforded me all of my opportunities.

I currently serve as the City of Glendale’s first immigrant woman, the first Armenian-American woman, and the 7th woman in the history of the city to be elected to the Council. While in office, I have continued to be a champion for accessibility, small businesses and economic development, equity, affordable housing, the environment, protecting the rights of women, minorities, the working class, social justice, and so much more.

My commitment to my community and civic engagement dates back to my middle school days and is evident in the years I have dedicated to serving on local, regional, and state committees and boards. For over 11 years, I also served as Executive Director of the Armenian National Committee of America – Glendale, then the Western Region, a grassroots public affairs organization advancing policies in 19 U.S. States.

I am a graduate of local public schools including Columbus Elementary School, Toll Middle School, Herbert Hoover High School, Glendale and Pasadena Colleges, and UCLA.

  • I am the only candidate in this race that brings over 24 years of local, state and federal level experience in policy and fighting for our residents and small businesses across the 44th district and beyond. We need leaders who get things done and have the courage to go to bat for their constituents–and my record is clear not just with mere words but with over two decades of actions and initiatives in successfully championing for access, cutting bureaucratic red tape, fighting for social justice, worker’s rights, small businesses, women’s rights, or environmental protections, and with your vote, I’ll do it in the Assembly. If you feel as I do that we deserve thoughtful policies, then join me in charting a new course for the state we love.
  • Only 30 out of 80 CA Assembly members are currently women. If we are serious about reaching parity, we can’t afford to lose a single seat, including our 44th district. Statistics only point to the need to address the lack of women in elected office, and the responsibility of each of us to help create a path for women of diverse backgrounds. As an immigrant Armenian American, I am also saddened to see that my community has zero representation in Sacramento, and I welcome the opportunity to be the first immigrant Armenian woman to serve in the California Legislature, and the first immigrant woman to represent this district. I am in a crowded race with 7 other candidates and am the only viable woman to win this seat.
  • I will continue to lead with courage and empathy, bringing my proven record of helping everyday people succeed. I’ll champion:

    Access to housing, healthcare, education, protecting our middle class, & reducing the cost of living, climate Policies for clean air, water, energy and access to open space. Public Safety - Sole candidate endorsed by firefighter & police organizations for my commitment to combating crime & keeping our communities safe. Women’s Rights - Sole candidate endorsed by Planned Parenthood, NWPC, CA Lt. Governor Kounalakis, & women's orgs for my history of championing & protecting women’s rights, and establishing programs

    Removing bureaucratic red tape & exorbitant costs on small businesses, the backbone of our local econo
businesses, and creating a pathway for a green and sustainable future for all including our renters, middle class who are currently left out. Just as always, I will champion access, equity, and representation for marginalized communities, women and women’s reproductive rights, minorities, and workers for housing, education, health care, community benefits, rights, and more. We need to be intentional about including all of our community members, especially our most vulnerable when making policy decisions. If elected, I will also be an unapologetic advocate for increasing access in all of these areas, including addressing: our housing crisis, the environment; inflation, and other economic stressors.
Choosing Civility by P.M. Forni and the Color of Law by Richard Rothstein
Leadership is not defined by titles but by embodying unwavering principles.

Courage in the Face of Adversity
An elected official must confront challenges head-on. Standing firm against pressures and weathering storms with resilience defines a leader who understands that tough decisions lead to positive change.
Empathy
True service requires walking in others' shoes. Empathy isn't just a buzzword; it guides decisions. An open-door policy invites diverse perspectives to shape policies. Every voice deserves to be heard, especially the often unheard soft voices, needing bold advocates.
Attention to Detail
Policies are blueprints for a better community. Attention to detail, implementation, & unintended consequences is like being an architect ensuring a building stands strong. It's about solutions that don't create new problems.
Leading by Example
Actions speak louder than words —personal conduct, adherence to ethical standards—it's the foundation of trust and respect. Recognizing that you're there not for yourself, but for those you serve is a privilege to shape a better world.
Proactive Engagement
True leadership doesn’t wait for problems but meets challenges head-on. Proactivity turns reactive governance into visionary leadership. Anticipating needs, staying ahead of issues, & involving the community as partners are essential.
Integrity Above All:
In politics' murky waters, integrity is the North Star. It's the bedrock of any relationship, political or otherwise.

Whether as a community advocate or now as an elected official, I will always carry not just a title but a commitment etched in honesty, transparency, courage, and an unwavering dedication to the people and our small businesses. In a world where all a person has is their word, mine stands firm—a promise to be the advocate, listener, voice for the voiceless, and guardian of collective well-being this community deserves. It's a privilege to be the bridge between people's dreams and realization.
To represent their community with honesty, integrity, and transparency. This means being accountable and representative of the community you represent - from the legislation that you introduce to the votes you cast. I also believe that it is a legislator's job to be a conduit for their constituents and state agencies and help them to successfully navigate the bureaucracies so that it works for them, and they receive the service and support they are entitled to receive, not just for those who know how to navigate it, but for all.
In the mosaic of my life's historical firsts, the poignant memories that surface are many. Moving to the United States at age 10 as an English learner, picture cards became my only way to communicate with classmates and teachers and two short years later I exited ESL. At 15, when I showed up at our school board meeting to address discrimination issues in my school and was greeted outside by a school staff member who told me “this isn’t how we do things” only for me to respond that that’s how I do things. They thought someone sent me, no one had. At 16, showing up to our council meeting to address the woman who used oral communication to tell Armenians to go back where they came and spewed hatred into our community from then knocking on doors and helping register over 10,000 residents to vote marked a turning point, giving a political voice to a previously unheard community. At 19, becoming the first Armenian female campaign manager for a local race defied norms in a then male-dominated field. At 23, becoming the Executive Director of the second largest ethnic advocacy organization in the United States in my city then the Western Region covering 19 western states and having the opportunity to represent millions of members, build coalitions, launch initiatives and programs, and work on legislation not just in California, but in places like Wyoming, Utah, Idaho, Colorado Nevada, Alaska to name a few. Often being the only woman in the room, unless I was the one organizing and bringing other women and girls along with me.
A significant chapter unfolded at 30, when surgery gave me eyesight I had never experienced, and revealed the world's true beauty, textures and colors, and when I finally had the ability to see and read body language. At age 35, taking the leap to open up my small business. At 39, from being the first immigrant woman, the first Armenian-American woman elected to the Glendale city council to now vying for a historic position in the CA Legislature.
My first job was a canvasser at the age of 17. Knocking on doors and getting the vote out. We won that Election and I moved on to working on other campaigns then for current LA Council President Paul Krekorian who was then running for school board in Burbank.
I believe that the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature should be healthy, with open dialogue and mutual respect. Both branches need to have strong working relationships in order to deliver change to our constituents. However, I firmly believe in the checks and balances between the two branches of government and that each must stay accountable.
In the next decade, I believe our greatest challenges will be in addressing our climate crisis and finding ways to build actual affordable housing, and support small businesses while moving towards a more sustainable future. In the legislature, I will sponsor policy that supports small business recovery, growth, and development. Small businesses are a vital part of the health of our communities. We need to increase access to capital, programs, and incentives for small businesses, especially those that are owned by minorities or women so that these groups can thrive. I also want to ensure entities are allowing smaller businesses to be part of the procurement process for government projects. I will also sponsor a policy that establishes more protections and support for small businesses and economic development. I will continue to prioritize protecting the health and safety of our environment, communities, and collective future in the legislature. I support expanding rebate programs for green conversions, infrastructure establishing solar energy options for multi-family buildings and units, and transitioning to clean energy utility options as my legislative priorities for a green future. As a Glendale City Council member, one of my priorities has been environmental justice. I have focused my work on sustainability efforts in areas that are historically underserved and underrepresented. Lastly, access to open space, breathing clean air, and drinking safe water are the bare minimum standards - and all too often we are failing our working families. I want to ensure that public transit is accessible and convenient for people to use, and safe for people to walk and bike to get where they need to go, all while taking care of our environment. We are failing our future generations and our low-income communities who do not have access to proper public transit, and that needs to change. I want to create legislation that supports these changes.
Experience matters. What distinguishes me from other candidates is the depth of knowledge, passion, experiences, resources, and relationships that I have accumulated over the last 24 years here in AD44. I have not only been a grassroots organizer, community leader, and advocate, but have experience in writing legislation and working with local, state, and federal legislative bodies. I don’t shy away from fighting for what’s right and believe I bring a unique style of leadership that’s both courageous and empathetic, and thoughtful in the details of any policy that may have unintended consequences for underrepresented communities. I am positioned in a unique way when it comes to this race; as a lifelong member of California's democratic politics and activism, I boast a synthesis of assets that make me the most qualified candidate to run for this office.
I know I have incredible community support because I have made community service and activism my life's work. I volunteered for my first campaign at 15 and have only continued to fall in love with public service and giving a voice to the underrepresented–and have a proven track record of success. Over the years, through my work, I have earned a reputation for being a coalition builder across this district, gained prominence, and built name ID. I won both my LACDP and Glendale City Council races because I had supporters who recognized I would fight for them. Furthermore, my ties run deep in this district because of my history of grassroots organizing in Glendale, the Valley, Burbank, and beyond.
Absolutely it is beneficial to build relationships with other legislators. I believe that teamwork and collaboration are essential aspects of government and even though my colleagues in the Assembly will represent different constituents, partnering with them can increase the impact legislation has on people across the state. I take pride in being a coalition builder and look forward to the opportunity in the CA Assembly.
While there are many I respect, I believe we are all unique and I choose to stand in my own light.
My sole focus is the people of the 44th Assembly District.
People’s stories and struggles are what drive me. There isn’t one, there are many and I carry them with me every day. From the single mother who escaped an abusive marriage and had nowhere to go and no money in her account for her and her children whom I helped connect with resources and she flourished and continues to stay in touch to date, to the small business owners I help every day who have to wait for months for permits and bureaucratic red tape that costs them time and money, to the disabled resident who got the runaround when attempting to get assistance, to the mother with cancer and is waiting for months for treatment and inability to pay, to our renters who can’t make ends meet, to all the stories of resilience and perseverance against a stacked deck.
There should always be appropriate checks and balances between all branches of government.
Expanding public benefit programs to include our communities that are being left out, living paycheck to paycheck without having any support and resources, and access to healthcare, housing, sustainability programs, and education opportunities. They are individuals and families who are working full-time jobs, but one flat tire away from the spiral starting towards homelessness and the inability to get access to any support.
Endorsement list does not fit in the text box - please view at https://www.electelen.com/endorsements
Housing and Community Development

Jobs, Economic Development, and the Economy
Human Services
Local Government
Revenue and Taxation

Natural Resources
It is critical to a healthy government. Not only should there be transparency, but residents should be able to easily access and decipher this information so that they know exactly how their government is operating and how their dollars are being spent.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Campaign finance summary

Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

Elen Asatryan campaign contribution history
YearOfficeStatusContributionsExpenditures
2024* California State Assembly District 44Lost primary$387,451 $373,908
Grand total$387,451 $373,908
Sources: OpenSecrets,  Federal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete

See also

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External links

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    Footnotes

    1. ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on February 6, 2024


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