District 43 — California State Assembly

Elected to the Glendale City Council in 2009, re-elected in 2013

Mayor of Glendale, 2011-2012

Board of Directors, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California

Immediate Past-President, Independent Cities Association

Board member, Southern California Association of Governments, Energy and Environment Committee

Served for five years on the Glendale Design Review Board

Active with the Society of Architectural Historians and the Los Angeles Conservancy Modern Committee

Extensive experience as a producer and head of development in the entertainment industry where she worked on numerous successful films and TV projects.  Taught producing at UCLA and Chapman College

Since 2001 she has owned and run a small business specializing in vintage jewelry and fine and decorative arts

Recipient: Environmental Champion Award, Los Angeles League of Conservation Voters; Woman of the Year, Glendale Chamber of Commerce; Flame of Hope Award, Glendale Adventist Medical Center

Laura lives in Glendale with her husband Guillaume Lemoine, a landscape designer, and their daughter Rachel.

Graduated with a B.A. from the University of Rochester, New York.

Laura Friedman has a proven history of creative and effective leadership. Laura Friedman has served as a Glendale City Councilmember and Mayor since 2009. She is a Metropolitan Water District Board member and Immediate Past-President of the Independent Cities Association. Laura Friedman took on the NRA and banned gun shows from city property, including those happening across the street from a community college. The League of Conservation Voters named Laura Friedman their “2014 Environmental Champion.” She fought to restore the L.A. River, ban plastic bags and promote sustainable building standards and energy conservation. Laura Friedman believes that anyone working full time should not be living in poverty. That’s why she is leading the fight for a $15 minimum wage in her city. Laura Friedman will be a champion for the rights of women, including access to safe and legal abortions and reproductive rights. Laura Friedman helped revitalize downtown and bring back thousands of jobs. That is why she was named Woman of the Year in Glendale. Laura Friedman was a successful television and film producer. As an Assembly member, she will fight to keep entertainment industry jobs in Southern California. Laura Friedman is endorsed by State Senator Carol Liu, Supervisor Sheila Kuehl, former Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, Los Angeles Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell and by more than 30 local mayors, councilmembers and school board members. Laura Friedman is also endorsed by the California Nurses Association, National Women’s Political Caucus, Planned Parenthood Advocacy Project, and Sierra Club California. For more information: www.votelaurafriedman.com

Ardy Kassakhian has a proven record of leadership and the ability to bring people together to get things done. As Glendale’s City Clerk for the past ten years, Ardy modernized the clerk’s operation with new technology and environmentally sustainable practices that save taxpayer money. He took the initiative to provide election information in more languages to increase voter participation and expanded government transparency and accountability by shining a light on the inner workings of City Hall.

Ardy is running to put his experience to work for the people of Assembly District 43. His priorities will be building a growing economy, strong public schools, and safe and healthy neighborhoods. As the son of immigrants, Ardy wants every Californian to have the same opportunity to reach for the American Dream that his family had. Building on his experience as Glendale’s chief elections officer, he will work to increase voter turnout and give voters more information about who is funding campaigns.

Ardy was first elected as City Clerk in 2005, making history as the youngest person ever elected to public office in Glendale. As City Clerk, he is responsible for overseeing city elections, enforcing campaign finance regulations, providing public access to city records, and advising the City Council on procedures. Ardy serves as Secretary of the Glendale Economic Development Corporation, designed to attract new businesses to Glendale and spur job creation.

Earlier in his career, Ardy led the Armenian National Committee of America Western Region and its advocacy program, working with elected officials at every level of government on efforts to promote international human rights and expand tolerance.

Ardy graduated with a degree in history from UCLA and is currently completing a Masters in Public Policy. With his long record of public service and advocacy, he earned a spot at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government Senior Executive Program for State and Local Government in 2009 and completed the Coro Foundation Executive Fellowship Program.

Ardy has deep roots in the district, where he grew up and attended public schools. Ardy’s dad is a retired scientist and his mom is a proud member of the Glendale Teachers Association, with 30 years of teaching experience. Ardy’s wife Courtney is an elementary school principal and the grandchild of immigrants from Mexico and Spain. Ardy and Courtney live in Glendale with their young son.