Glendale doctor Alex Balekian joins race for Congress as independent

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Dr. Alex Balekian, a Glendale physician, has joined the crowded race to replace Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Burbank, who is running for U.S. Senate.

Balekian, running as a “no party preference” candidate, seeks to create a broad coalition of Democrats, Republicans, and independents, offering an alternative to the existing political climate.

Balekian obtained his medical degree in 2003 from UC San Diego and has since worked as an ICU physician. He also served as an assistant professor of clinical medicine at USC’s Keck School of Medicine.

Sixteen other candidates have their eye on the seat. The 13 Democrats in the race include former Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer, state Sen. Anthony Portantino, Los Angeles Unified School District board member Nick Melvoin, Assemblywoman Laura Friedman, and actor Ben Savage.

The 30th Congressional District encompasses parts of Burbank, Glendale, Sunland, and West Hollywood. Balekian, a Glendale native, expressed his deep connection to the community and his desire to serve its residents. In his statement, he emphasized his experience as an ICU physician during the COVID-19 crisis, which has shaped his commitment to resilience, adaptability, and selfless service. Balekian aims to bring these qualities to his public service and make a meaningful impact in the district.

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As a candidate, Balekian positions himself as a fiscal conservative with social moderation, striving for balanced and pragmatic policy approaches. He distinguishes himself as a non-traditional politician who opposes the influence of lobbyists. He says his primary objective is to reignite the civic spirit within the community, encouraging regular individuals to actively participate in shaping the district’s future.

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A tree along shrubs
A tree along shrubs
1 year ago

The more I learn about this guy more more I’m impressed: independent, supports free speech and parental rights, doesn’t deny biological reality, pushed back on pharma corruption… and he’s a physician. And he doesn’t defer to his own identity to claim special victim status.

chunkers
chunkers
1 year ago

A pulmonologist giving his conclusions on gender issues is a bit like a English professor giving his conclusions on global warming, don’t you think? You can dress up transphobia with medical jargon all you want, but it doesn’t take away from the message and the purpose.

Good luck to him, but I think voters in that district will see right through this campaign, which is primarily catering to homophobia and unfounded fear among a portion of the population that lives there.

Gimmeabreak
Gimmeabreak
1 year ago
Reply to  chunkers

A burger flipper can have valid and accurate conclusions on both gender issues and (man-made) global warming which are fairly clear to anyone without a political agenda.

chunkers
chunkers
1 year ago

I (a male) went on a couple of dates with Dr. Balekian back around 2008 or so.

It’s interesting, but not surprising given his viewpoints on certain issues and desire to appeal to a certain segment of the population in that area, that his campaign materials don’t mention anything about his own identity.

Ouch!
Ouch!
1 year ago
Reply to  chunkers

Nice of you to spill the tea. Seems as lthough you have too much integrity

A tree along shrubs
A tree along shrubs
1 year ago
Reply to  chunkers

He frankly discusses it on his social media, including his difficult coming out story, but never at the expense of overshadowing the issues. Certainly a refreshing, grown up approach

Gimmeabreak
Gimmeabreak
1 year ago
Reply to  chunkers

Why should he? It’s not supposed to matter.

Ouch
Ouch
1 year ago
Reply to  Gimmeabreak

Interesting as to how you continually advocate for both sides of an issue simply to stir the pot of animosity. Not a good look.

Gimmeabreak
Gimmeabreak
1 year ago
Reply to  Ouch

I don’t have a clue what you’re talking about. Please enlighten me. I would say I’m very consistent.

JF1
JF1
1 year ago

Finally, an alternative to the same old same old.

WeHo Mary!
WeHo Mary!
1 year ago

Just an example of how this guy is not moderate in any way, he thinks that lesbian and gay parents can somehow “bother” Armenian parents. Look at the “what Armenian parents are thinking” slide:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CtHjO57vZeZ/?igshid=NjZiM2M3MzIxNA==

Details
Details
1 year ago
Reply to  WeHo Mary!

That does not appear at all to be what he is advocating. Please reread the IG post.

WeHo Mary!
WeHo Mary!
1 year ago
Reply to  Details

I did, and indulging these people in the whole idea that Lesbians and Gays could somehow bother them is homophobic. He even participated in the protest at Dodgers Stadium, organized and attended by far right groups from out of state. Parents from Saticoy Elementary and Glendale, who are violent and also his buddies, were there as well. He’s anything but moderate.

Details
Details
1 year ago
Reply to  WeHo Mary!

Did you take it up with him? Did you ask him specifically why he was at Dodgers Stadium? Have you spoken with the parents of Saticoy Elementary and Glendale? These seem to be your personal observations.

WeHo Mary!
WeHo Mary!
1 year ago
Reply to  Details

He (or maybe it’s you) was very clear about why he was at Dodgers Stadium. He was there to support the conservative Catholics who were there, many of whom have admitted that they are from out of state. Do you have some information to add? I’ve had many interactions with the Saticoy parents, and they seem to be in two groups. Some don’t understand the situation for some reason, maybe there are some communication or language barrier issues? This group wrongly assumes that LGBTQ identities are only about sex, and not about love and families. The others are simply violent,… Read more »

Details
Details
1 year ago
Reply to  WeHo Mary!

You just seem to be everywhere speaking to all the right people. How about that!

Gimmeabreak
Gimmeabreak
1 year ago
Reply to  WeHo Mary!

Thanks! I’m liking this guy more and more!

Jeff
1 year ago

He seems like someone that’s level headed that I can support, which sadly means he probably doesn’t have a chance.