Adrin Nazarian, the former chief of staff for Los Angeles City Councilman Paul Krekorian, won the newly-drawn 46th Assembly District with over 70 percent of the vote.
The district includes North Hollywood, Toluca Lake, Studio City, Sherman Oaks, Valley Village, Valley Glen, Van Nuys, Panorama City, North Hills, Lake Balboa and the Hollywood Hills.
Krekorian was there at Nazarian's victory party at the Sportsmen's Lodge in Studio City Tuesday night, saying, "This is the first time that I won't have Adrin at my side while I'm in public office, but I know now there will be a strong ally for this district in Sacramento."
Nazarian's opponent Jay Stern, a teacher, didn't have an election party Tuesday night. Stern told Patch he needed to get the grades in for his students at Panorama High School where he teaches chemistry, biology and other science classes.
Nazarian worked for six years with Krekorian, while Krekorian was in Sacramento, and since he became the city representative for Council District 2.
Krekorian said, "For many years, Adrin Nazarian has been my chief-of-staff and trusted adviser. He's helped formulate many of the reforms my office has implemented to make our community and city a better place to be and I couldn't be more proud to call him my Assemblymember. I personally know the many joys and challenges of being in the state Legislature and have supreme confidence Adrin has the temperament, skills and focus to make an immediate impact. The residents of the 46th Assembly District are fortunate to have a partner in Sacramento who will fight for them. I couldn't be more proud of his victory and look forward to working with him as we continually work to strengthen our city and state."
Neighborhood council representatives from Studio City, Valley Village and Sherman Oaks also attended the party.
Studio City Neighborhood Council president John Walker sent out a thousand emails in support of Nazarian, held a house party kick-off fundraiser and said, "It is important to be able to meet and know your representative and this is someone we have worked with and can trust to represent us in Sacramento."
Nazarian thanked the diverse groups that supported him, including Latino Democrats, members of the Armenian community, friends from high school, the Neighborhood Council community and others who helped him fight a 7-1 spending campaign against six candidates at one point in the primary.
Nazarian said he wanted people to let him know what needs to be done. He encouraged people to tell him what he should fight for, and he will do it.
