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Azerbaijani businessman gets third place in primary elections for post of Lt-Governor of Nevada

10 June 2010 09:36 (UTC +04:00)

The primary elections were held June 8 and June 9 the results were declared.

Likewise, state senator Sue Lowden (Republican), a friend of the Turkic-Americans, was competing in the Republican primary for the post of the U.S. Senator from Nevada, to challenge Sen. Harry Reid. Despite being first for most of the race, the saw her lead erode over time and yesterday placed second, receiving 26% of votes. At the same time, two Armenian-American candidates, Danny Tarkanian and Joe Scott Ashjian, were also trying their luck in Nevada, both vying for the post of U.S. Senator from Nevada, to challenge Sen. Harry Reid this November in the general elections.

While Paul got third place in the Democratic primary with 15.5% of votes (of the 579,399 total Democratic voters in Nevada), he nevertheless showed great resilience and ability to compete. During most of the race, in all straw polls, Paul, a relative newcomer who has never held a political office before, placed first. The eventual winner, Jessica Sferrazza, who has been in politics for almost a decade, received 41% of votes.

The U.S. Azeris Network (USAN) has endorsed Paul Murad and Sue Lowden for their respective races. A number of huge campaigns were held statewide, as well as on the internet. Being only 35 years of age, Paul has many more opportunities to make a difference in the state politics in Nevada, and the Azerbaijani-Americans stand ready to enthusiastically support him in the future as well.

â€œAs a young and not so numerous of a diaspora, the Azerbaijani-Americans are very proud of the attempts, sometimes successful, sometimes not, of all Azerbaijani-Americans, and more broadly of all Turkic-Americans, seeking political office -- Paul Murad, Lt. (Ret) John Naimi Amiral, Dr. John Vafai, Dr. Sohrab Rob Sobhani, Nazli Parvizi, as well as Oz Bengur, Dr. James Rifat Sivisoglu, and many othersâ€, - said the USAN in a statement.

Meanwhile, the Armenian-American candidate, Joe Scott Ashjian, who sensing political winds switched his affiliation from Republican to Tea Party, declared bankruptcy just one week before the elections during the Memorial Day, and has essentially dropped out of the race, receiving no votes.

The more serious Armenian-American candidate, Danny Tarkanian, son of a famous basketball coach, has placed third with 23% of votes, behind Sue Lowden’s 26%.