Over 90% of ANCA backed Congressional candidates win mid-term elections

Over 90% of ANCA backed Congressional candidates win mid-term elections
November 3, 2010 - 11:29 AMT 07:29 GMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - Over 90% of the Congressional candidates backed by the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) prevailed in Nov. 2 hard-fought mid-term elections.
“We join with Armenian Americans from across the country in congratulating the winners of these elections from both parties, and look forward to working constructively with the new members and leaders of Congress,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “We are especially proud of our community’s pivotal role in the outcome of several key races, including Mark Kirk’s victory in Illinois, Barbara Boxer’s win in California, Harry Reid’s triumph in Nevada, and, of course, Mike Grimm’s defeat of Representative Michael McMahon.”
Five out of the six Senators endorsed by the ANCA emerged victorious, including Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), Mark Kirk (R-IL), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and Barbara Mikulski (D-MD). The only ANCA backed Senate candidate to lose was Russ Feingold (D-WI), a perennial cosponsor of Armenian Genocide legislation.
On the House side, ANCA endorsed 158 candidates in 31 states. Of this total, 152 were incumbents, of which, as of 2:00 am on November 3rd, only seven were reported to have lost their re-election bids. Each of the six non-incumbents endorsed and backed by the ANCA won their elections, including, most notably Michael Grimm, who, with the energetic support of ANCA activists in New York, unseated Armenian Genocide Resolution opponent Rep. Michael McMahon (D-NY).
Among the key winners were Congressman Eric Cantor (R-VA), who will likely be the House Majority Leader, and Thaddeus McCotter, who is also set to remain in the Republican leadership. House Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone (D-NJ), who received an A+ rating and was endorsed by the ANCA, survived a strong challenge by Republican Anna Little.
Members of Congress who have worked against Armenian American priorities and were defeated, include: Reps. Ike Skelton (D-MO), Solomon Ortiz (D-TX), and John Spratt (D-SC). Rep. Gerry Connolly, who voted and spoke against the Armenian Genocide Resolution in committee this past March, remains in a tight race that appears, headed for a recount.
As a result of these elections, the Democratic majority in the Senate will narrow, and the U.S. House will shift from Democratic to Republican control, moving leadership of key committees, including Foreign Affairs and Appropriations, into the hands of GOP chairmen.