By Taniel Koushakjian
FLArmenians Managing Editor

Florida Armenians is pleased to announce our endorsements for the 2014 elections. The endorsement list below is categorized by federal, state, and county races. Overall, Florida Armenians has endorsed 25 Republicans and 13 Democrats in a variety of races, including some challengers.

Champions of Armenian issues in Florida include Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), who was recently named Vice Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues. In the Florida State Senate, Florida Armenians enthusiastically support Senator Jack Latvala (R-Pinellas), who introduced and managed the successful passage of the first Armenian Genocide resolution in the Florida State Senate in 2013.

Noticeably absent from our endorsement list is a candidate for Florida Governor. Unfortunately, neither current Governor Rick Scott (R-FL) nor former Governor Charlie Crist (D-FL) was proactive on Armenian issues during their administration. In addition, both candidates refrained from issuing statements to the Florida Armenian community.

Also, Florida Armenians would like to highlight Garo Artinian, who is running for Northern Palm Beach County Improvement District Seat 2. Mr. Artinian is the only Armenian American on the ballot in Florida.

FLORIDA VOTER INFORMATION

To help give you an idea of what to expect on Election Day, here are links to sample ballots for Broward County, Miami-Dade County, Palm Beach County, and Pinellas County. Polls are open from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Florida has two time zones. As such, election results will be released at 8:00 PM EST. If you don’t know where to go, you can find your closest polling station online by entering your address at your local county government website. For more information about voting in Florida, click here.

FLORIDA ARMENIANS 2014 ELECTION ENDORSEMENTS

FEDERAL

Congress:

• District 1: Jeff Miller (R-FL)
• District 3: Ted Yoho (R-FL)
• District 5: Corrine Brown (D-FL)
• District 11: Rich Nugent (R-FL)
• District 12: Gus Bilirakis (R-FL)
• District 13: David Jolly (R-FL)
• District 14: Kathy Castor (D-FL)
• District 15: Dennis Ross (R-FL)
• District 21: Ted Deutch (D-FL)
• District 22: Lois Frankel (D-FL)
• District 24: Frederica Wilson (D-FL)
• District 25: Mario Diaz-Bolart (R-FL)
• District 26: Carlos Curbelo (R-FL)*

STATE

Executive:

• Attorney General: Pam Bondi (R)
• Chief Financial Officer: Jeff Atwater (R)
• Commissioner of Agriculture: Adam Putnam (R)

State House:

• HD-64: James Grant (R-FL)
• HD-66: Chris Latvala (R-FL)*
• HD-68: Bill Young (R-FL)*
• HD-69: Kathleen Peters (D-FL)
• HD-70: Daryl Rouson (D-FL)
• HD-81: Kevin Rader (D-FL)
• HD-82: MaryLynn Magar (R-FL)
• HD-88: Bobby Powell (D-FL)
• HD-91: Irving Slosberg (D-FL)
• HD-92: Gwendolen Clarke-Reed (D-FL)
• HD-93: George Moraitis (R-FL)
• HD-95: Hazelle Rogers (D-FL)
• HD-96: Kristin Jacobs (D-FL)
• HD-103: Manny Diaz, Jr. (R-FL)
• HD-105: CarlosTrujillo (R-FL)
• HD-116: Jose Felix Diaz (R-FL)

State Senate:

• SD-20: Jack Latvala (R-FL)
• SD-22: Jeff Brandes (R-FL)
• SD-32: Joe Negron (R-FL)
• SD-36: Oscar Braynon II (D-FL)

Other:

• Palm Beach County Commission District 4: Steven L. Abrams
• Broward County Commission District 4: Chip LaMarca
• Northern Palm Beach County Improvement District 2: Garo Artinian

* Denotes challenger