Alex Balekian
Republican Candidate for Congress
ConstituencyCalifornia's 30th Congressional District
Personal details
Born (1979-03-09) March 9, 1979 (age 45)
Glendale, California, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Occupation
WebsiteAlex Balekian for Congress

Alex Balekian is a physician and the Republican candidate for Congress in California's 30th Congressional District.

Early Life and Education

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Alex Balekian, an Armenian-American, was born and raised in Glendale California to Armenian immigrant parents.[1] [2] He attended the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in General Physiology[3]. Balekian later pursued a medical degree at the University of California San Diego (USD), becoming a board-certified physician.[3] Balekian completed his Internal Medicine residency at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, and later completed his Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine fellowship at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.[3] In 2009, Balekian earned a Health Services Research masters degree from the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health.[3]

Career

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Balekian is a practicing physician with extensive experience in internal medicine. He has also been involved in various healthcare initiatives aimed at improving patient care and accessibility.[4]

Balekian served as Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine - Pulmonary/Critical Care at Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California from October 2009 to January 2019.[5]

During his time at USC's Keck School of Medicine, Balekian completed Lung Cancer health disparities research, notably Effect of Language and Ethnicity on Interval From Diagnosis to Treatment in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients at a Public and a Private Hospital. [6]

Political Career

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In June 2023, Balekian announced his candidacy for the United States House of Representatives for California's 30th Congressional District.[7] [8] [9] [10] Initially registering as an Independent, Balekian changed his party affiliation to Republican in June 2023.[11]

His campaign emphasizes a platform of healthcare reform, economic development, and education improvements. Balekian's slogan "Progressive Isn't Working" highlights his critique of current policies and his call for new approaches. [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17]

Democrats Mike Feuer, Laura Friedman and Anthony Portantino were considered the leading candidates to succeed Adam Schiff in a "very blue district." However, Balekian progressed to the November general election with 17.4% of the vote, beating out all but Laura Friedman. [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] [23] [24] [25] [26]

On June 14, 2024 Balekian received the endorsement of Republican Presidential Primary candidate, Vivek Ramaswamy. [27]

On August 21, 2024 it was announced that Balekian received the endorsement of LA County Supervisor, Kathryn Barger. [28]

Personal Life

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Balekian was born and raised, and still resides in Glendale, California.[29]

References

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  1. ^ "A foreign war is shaping the race to replace Adam Schiff. It's not the one you think". Politico. 2024-02-29. Retrieved 2024-02-29.
  2. ^ "The Power of One: How Alex Balekian's Campaign Is Awakening the Armenian Community". The Armenian Report. 2024-03-19. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  3. ^ a b c d "Southern California Clinical and Translational Science Institute". Southern California Clinical and Translational Science Institute. 2024-01-15. Retrieved 2024-05-25.
  4. ^ "Alex Balekian's scientific contributions". Researchgate. 2024-01-15. Retrieved 2024-05-25.
  5. ^ "Southern California Clinical and Translational Science Institute". LinkedIn. 2024-01-15. Retrieved 2024-05-25.
  6. ^ "Effect of Language and Ethnicity on Interval From Diagnosis to Treatment in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients at a Public and a Private Hospital". CHEST. 2024-01-15. Retrieved 2024-05-25.
  7. ^ "Local Doctor Joins Race for Schiff's Seat". Burbank Leader. 2024-06-23. Retrieved 2023-06-23.
  8. ^ "Glendale doctor Alex Balekian joins race for Congress". WeHo Online. 2024-06-20. Retrieved 2023-06-20.
  9. ^ "Alex Balekian: Why I'm running for Schiff's House seat". Pasadena Star News. 2023-08-19. Retrieved 2023-08-19.
  10. ^ "Glendale doctor joins crowded race for Schiff's congressional seat". Hey Socal. Change is Our Intention. 2023-06-20. Retrieved 2023-06-20.
  11. ^ "Here's a Race to Watch: CA-30 (Schiff). Can Alex Balekian Flip Adam Schiff's Old Seat from Blue To Red?". RightOnDailyBlog. 2023-06-29. Retrieved 2023-06-29.
  12. ^ "Progressive Isn't Working". alexforca30.com. 2024-05-24. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  13. ^ "Ten candidates fight for spotlight at 30th Congressional District debate". Los Angeles Daily News. 2024-02-14. Retrieved 2024-02-14.
  14. ^ "Far-left progressive policies have ruined California: Alex Balekian". Fox News. 2024-03-20. Retrieved 2024-03-20.
  15. ^ "'If you play stupid games, you win stupid prizes': Alex Balekian". Fox News. 2024-04-15. Retrieved 2024-04-15.
  16. ^ "Q&A: Alex Balekian. Meaningful Community Change". Local News Pasadena. 2024-01-20. Retrieved 2024-01-20.
  17. ^ "CD30 Congressional Candidate Debate Held Saturday". Larchmont Buzz. 2024-01-20. Retrieved 2024-01-20.
  18. ^ "California 30th Congressional District Primary Election Results". New York Times. 2024-05-07. Retrieved 2024-05-07.
  19. ^ "Laura Friedman likely to face Republican in race for Schiff's former House seat". LA Times. 2024-03-06. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
  20. ^ "Your guide to California's Congressional District 30 race: The battle for Schiff's seat". LA Times. 2024-02-01. Retrieved 2024-02-01.
  21. ^ "Friedman, Balekian likely to head for 30th District runoff". Beverly Press Park La Brea News. 2024-03-06. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
  22. ^ "California Primary Election Results for Armenian Candidates". Armenian Mirror Spectator. 2024-03-12. Retrieved 2024-03-12.
  23. ^ "Election 2024: Friedman Advances to Runoff in 30th Congressional District". Glendale News Press. 2024-03-10. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  24. ^ "California primary election: From Senate to City Council, here's where key SoCal races stand". ABC7 News. 2024-03-10. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  25. ^ "LA COUNTY ELECTION RESULTS Presidential Primary March 5 2024". Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk. 2024-03-05. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
  26. ^ "Your guide to California's Congressional District 30 race: The battle for Schiff's seat". Yahoo News. 2024-02-01. Retrieved 2024-02-01.
  27. ^ "Former U.S. Presidential Candidate Vivek Ramaswamy Endorses Armenian-American Alex Balekian For U.S. Congress". Zartonk Media. 2024-06-17. Retrieved 2024-06-25.
  28. ^ "Alex Balekian for Congress Campaign Gains Key Endorsement from LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger". The Armenian Report. 2024-08-21. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
  29. ^ "Q&A: Alex Balekian. From Glendale Physician to Fox News Regular Guest". Local News Pasadena. 2024-04-17. Retrieved 2024-04-17.
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