Claudia Peschiutta
GLENDALE -- They may be too young to vote, but they're old enough to
know who they want to see in office.
Alongside the endorsements of city officials, school board members and
community organizations on the campaign Web site for U.S. Rep. James
Rogan (R-Glendale), are listed the names of a handful of local students.
Past former Gov. George Deukmejian, Los Angeles County Supervisor Mike
Antonovich and others, comes Raffi Djihanian, the 17-year-old student
representative to the Glendale Board of Education.
"I feel privileged," Raffi said of his mention on the site. "I joke
with the heads of the Rogan campaign, 'Like this is gonna get out a
thousand voters.' "
Jason Roe, who is managing Rogan's reelection campaign for the 27th
Congressional District, said student endorsements, like the one from
Raffi, do matter.
In fact, student volunteers are given endorsement cards to distribute
among friends.
"We never really give the students a voice in this whole debate," he
said. "It's maybe time that we start to listen to what they have to say."
The Rogan campaign held a press conference at Burbank High School
Saturday to highlight their youngest supporters.
"It's kind of cute that we're doing it," Roe said.
Rogan's opponent, state Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Glendale), is not using
student endorsements.
"We've got many high school kids who volunteer their time for Schiff
for Congress but we haven't asked them to prove it by signing on the
dotted line," said Ted Oshelder, manager of the Schiff campaign.
Hoover Co-Principal Kevin Welsh said he doesn't have a problem with
students endorsing candidates, as long as they don't do it on behalf of
the school or its student body.
"I would hope that if Raffi endorses [Rogan] that he is 'young adult
Raffi Djihanian,' " Welsh said.
Actually, on the news conference announcement, he is "Raffi Djihanian,
ASB President -- Hoover High."
A self-declared Republican and longtime Rogan supporter, Raffi said
his endorsement is not supposed to reflect the feelings of the Hoover
student body.
"If a school board member endorses Rogan, it's not on behalf of the
entire school board," he said.
As much as he likes Rogan, Raffi said he doesn't try to sway the
opinions of others.
"Actually, my best friend is a major, major Democrat," he said. "I
guess it's true what they say about opposites attracting."
