Lenna Hovanessian, an Armenian-American community leader and human rights attorney, has announced her campaign for the Democratic nomination for Clark County Commission District F. She enters the race with a focus on creating more job opportunities, increasing reasonably priced housing, and improving affordability for working families in Southern Nevada. Hovanessian will appear on the ballot as a candidate in Clark County’s District F primary election, scheduled for June 9, 2026.
Hovanessian announced her candidacy after witnessing the struggles of everyday Nevadans facing unaffordability, the high cost of living, rising economic pressures, limited job growth, and housing affordability challenges. The Clark County Commission, which governs more than 2.3 million residents, wields significant authority over land use, public safety, infrastructure, economic development, and the Las Vegas Strip, which accounts for 40 percent of Nevada’s GDP and is a major economic engine. It also oversees gaming licenses, major zoning decisions, construction and development, water allocation, healthcare, and education. District F is the fastest-growing district in Clark County, making its leadership crucial for managing growth, stabilizing costs, and expanding opportunity.
The Armenian National Committee of America Western Region (ANCA-WR) expressed its profound appreciation for Lenna’s dedicated years of service as a member of the ANCA-WR Board, noting that she stepped down to pursue her campaign for Clark County Commission District F in Las Vegas. ANCA-WR Chairman Oshin Harootoonian stated that Lenna has been a pillar of the Armenian-American community and praised her work advancing genocide education in Nevada along with her advocacy for human rights and justice at every level. He emphasized that her record reflects the best of Armenian-American leadership and affirmed ANCA-WR’s full support for her next chapter in public service.
“At a time when too many Nevadans are struggling to find job opportunities, being priced out of their homes and struggling to get by, we need to enact policies that will directly improve affordability for Nevada families and build a brighter future,” said Lenna Hovanessian. “No Nevadan should be priced out of their community or denied their opportunity at success. We need leaders who fight for policies, job opportunities, and infrastructure that benefit every Nevadan. As a Commissioner, I plan to invest in public school education, build more housing, improve healthcare, and create the new jobs that Nevada families critically need. I am running to be a champion for Nevada families on the Clark County Commission.”
Lenna’s story is rooted in resilience and service. She came to America as a young child, fleeing a civil war that devastated her homeland and claimed countless innocent lives. Determined to honor her parents’ sacrifices, she committed herself to education and opportunity. She earned her undergraduate degree from UCLA and later attended Southwestern Law School, driven by a desire to confront injustice, corruption, and the destruction she witnessed in her youth. As a student, she earned national honors in advocacy and legal analysis, reflecting her early commitment to public service and accountability.
For more than 20 years, Lenna has called Las Vegas home, raising her children with her husband, Dr. Armen Hovanessian, a physician committed to improving healthcare in Nevada. Over the past decade, she has led statewide efforts to strengthen public school curriculum and co-drafted Nevada’s Holocaust and Armenian Genocide Education Bill, which became law in 2021. She has also worked at the federal level with Congressional leaders, including Representative Dina Titus, on drafting sanctions legislation addressing war crimes and political hostages, an issue of deep importance to Armenian communities worldwide.
Lenna is a respected attorney, activist, and recipient of the ANCA-WR 2023 Steve Artinian Visionary Activist Award. Her lifelong record of service, along with her public policy work, federal legal experience, and healthcare technology innovation, reflects a legacy of community empowerment. Her platform prioritizes housing affordability, economic opportunity, youth advancement, and responsible governance.
“It has been the honor of my life to serve the Armenian-American community through the ANCA-WR,” stated Hovanessian. “As I take this next step, I carry with me the values and vision our community instilled in me: a commitment to justice, to service, and to building a brighter future for all.”
As a mother, Lenna has consistently advocated for more resources for students and teachers and pushed for accountability from CCSD. Her campaign for County Commission is driven by what she sees families facing every day, from rising grocery costs to increased housing prices to a lack of job opportunities. She believes Southern Nevada deserves leaders who will fight for lower costs and greater opportunity so that every family has a fair chance at stability, success, and the American Dream.
ANCA-WR emphasized that electing proven Armenian-American leaders ensures the community’s voice is heard in the halls of power and strengthens Armenian-American political influence for generations to come.
Armenian-Americans are encouraged to stay informed and learn more about the campaign. For information or participation inquiries, contact Lenna@lenna4nv.com. Additional campaign details, donation options, and updates can be found at www.lenna4nv.com and on social media at @Lenna4NV.
