Armenian-American John Harabedian has been elected to represent District 41 in the California State Assembly, capturing 64.16% of the vote with a total of 84,280 votes. His opponent, Republican candidate Michelle Del Rosario Martinez, secured 35.84% of the vote, amounting to 47,074 votes. As a Democratic Party member, Harabedian brings extensive experience in public service and law to his new role.
In his statement following the results, Harabedian expressed gratitude for his supporters, saying: “There are a lot of people who worked very hard to make our campaign possible, including hundreds of volunteers and supporters. The early returns are very encouraging, and I look forward to seeing the full results. What we know already is that voters responded to our message: that we are fighting for great schools, rewarding jobs, strong small businesses, quality healthcare, and safe neighborhoods. I am deeply grateful to voters in every community of this district, and more optimistic than ever about the future.”
Harabedian was born and raised in Sierra Madre, within the heart of District 41. He began his public service career on the Sierra Madre City Council, first elected in 2012 and re-elected in 2016, serving two terms as Mayor. During his tenure, he focused on environmental protection, homelessness reduction, municipal service improvement, and led the establishment of a solar energy project benefiting local residents. He also served as a founding board member of the Clean Power Alliance.
Professionally, Harabedian has worked as a prosecutor at the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office and as an attorney with Latham & Watkins, Stanford’s Immigrants’ Rights Clinic, and the Equality Pro Bono Project. He also served as a CORO Fellow, working with AFSCME District Council 36 and as a Policy Analyst in the office of Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.
Harabedian’s community service includes roles as a Regional Vice Chair of the Los Angeles County Democratic Party, President of the California Department of Consumer Affairs Acupuncture Board, and a board member of the Immigration Resource Center of San Gabriel Valley. In 2020, he was named Assembly District 41’s “Democrat of the Year” by the Los Angeles County Democratic Party.
He holds a bachelor’s degree from Yale University, a master’s degree in comparative social policy from Oxford University, and a law degree from Stanford University. Harabedian resides in Pasadena with his wife, Young-Gi, and their three children.
