Super Sako Brings Dr. Alex Balekian on Stage at Dolby Theatre to Rally Armenian Voters Ahead of Election: “I Will Represent Armenian Values”
Armenian-American rapper Super Sako invited Alex Balekian MD, a congressional candidate for California’s District 30, to address a crowd of over 3,000 fans at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on Thursday night. The moment, part of the concert, highlighted the significance of the upcoming November 5 election, with Balekian urging the Armenian-American community to mobilize in the largest Armenian-populated congressional district in the United States.
Super Sako, known internationally for his hit song "Mi Gna," surprised the crowd when he introduced Balekian, saying, “Future congressman of California, give it up for Alex Balekian!” The crowd erupted in applause as Balekian took the stage. This appearance was more than just a celebrity endorsement — it was an appeal to the Armenian-American voters, a community with a long history in the region but little political representation.
Balekian, a Republican candidate, faces a tough race against Democrat Laura Friedman to replace long-serving Representative Adam Schiff, who vacated the seat to run for Senate. Balekian emphasized the importance of representation, particularly for Armenian-Americans. “It’s the largest Armenian district in the country. And we have zero Armenian members of Congress representing us in Washington, D.C.,” he told the crowd. His message was clear: with 19 days left until the election, the community had a chance to make history by electing their first Armenian representative.
During his speech, Balekian, who describes himself as a “Deukmejian” Republican — called for unity around traditional values. He said he will represent Armenian values and outlined his platform as focusing on “law and order,” personal freedoms, and keeping the government out of people's private lives. “Stay out of my bank account, stay out of my family decisions, and most importantly, don't tell us how to raise our kids,” Balekian said, as the crowd erupted in cheers and applause.
After the event, Balekian shared his thoughts exclusively with The Armenian Report: “Tonight’s event was truly energizing. As soon as I felt the immediate, positive reaction from the crowd, it was like riding a wave of support. Hearing directly from people who said they were voting for me or had already cast their votes was incredibly rewarding. I am deeply grateful to Super Sako for providing this platform, and it truly reinforced how critical this moment is for our Armenian community. We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to send Armenian representation to Washington, and I’m humbled by the enthusiasm and commitment to making that a reality.”
The crowd, energized by both Sako’s music and Balekian’s speech, was encouraged to take action by getting out the vote. “I need your help. I need 100% participation here with you all and your families,” Balekian urged. He even made a light-hearted request to Super Sako, asking him to change the lyrics of his famous song "Mi Gna" for the next 19 days to encourage voting.
Balekian closed his speech with a playful reinterpretation of the song, singing in Armenian, “Ես խնդրում եմ շուտ գնա իմ համար դու vote արա: Vote արա, vote արա: Շուտ գնա ” (meaning “Please go vote, go vote, fast”). This unique moment blended politics with music, creating a shared sense of purpose among the Armenian-American community gathered that night.
As the election draws closer, the stakes for both candidates are high. For Balekian, the chance to represent a community that has long been underrepresented in Congress is historic. His campaign has been working tirelessly to reach out to Armenian-Americans, and events like this are central to his strategy of energizing voters who feel a deep connection to their heritage.
The November 5 election will not only determine the future representative of District 30 but will also mark a turning point for Armenian-Americans seeking greater political involvement. Balekian’s message to the crowd was clear: this election is about more than just politics — it’s about ensuring that a community’s voice is finally heard in Washington.
With Super Sako’s endorsement and a growing movement of supporters, Dr. Alex Balekian’s campaign has gained momentum. Whether this moment will translate into a victory remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the Armenian-American community is more energized and engaged than ever before.
Comments