The Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region announced Friday its endorsement of Danny Tarkanian, Republican candidate for the United States Senate from Nevada. Tarkanian will be facing incumbent Senator Dean Heller in the 2018 primary, Asbarez reported.

“As the grandson of Armenian Genocide survivors, Danny Tarkanian is committed to the cause for justice not just for his own family, but for all Armenians. Having him in the United States Senate will surely empower our community, and we look forward to working closely with him to achieve our common goals,” said ANCA-WR Chairperson Nora Hovsepian.

“I am honored and grateful to receive ANCA-WR’s endorsement and look forward to working with them during my campaign and after elected as the first American Armenian US Senator on issues of importance to our country and the Armenian-American community. As someone whose grandparents lived through the Genocide, I will be a strong voice for improving the bilateral relations between Armenia and the United States, and I will work tirelessly alongside ANCA-WR towards the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the United States government,” said Tarkanian.

A prominent businessman and son of renowned college basketball coach, the late Jerry Tarkanian who was honored at the ANCA-WR Gala Banquet in 2013 as the “People’s Champion” and Las Vegas City Council member Lois Tarkanian, Danny has proven to be a passionate advocate of Armenian American issues.