Krekorian wins 43rd District nomination

"I plan to work closely with them on the healing process and to work together toward a common interest as Americans," Krekorian said, adding he does not have much time to rest before heading up to Sacramento with all of the Democratic nominees for a gathering at the request of Nuñez. "We are going to continue to do what I have been doing, to talk to people about the need to have the finest schools possible providing the best 21st-century education to all of our students."

In addition to education, Krekorian listed universal healthcare for all Californians, environmental protection and rebuilding the state's infrastructure as his top priorities if he wins the Assembly seat in November.

"I am so grateful to the people of the 43rd Assembly District who entrusted me to take on this job and voted based on the message I have been talking about," he said. "These are the things that matter to Californians much more than the issue of character assassination."

Agbaba released a statement Wednesday congratulating Krekorian for his win and setting a conciliatory tone for the battle ahead.

"I look forward to a good, clean campaign based on issues facing our communities and our state," the Burbank-based electrical engineer wrote. "This will be a very challenging election for both of us."

Quintero, who led Krekorian in cash on hand at the end of the race $243,964 to $178,687, according to the Secretary of State's office, threw the accusations of personal attacks back at his opponent.

"I am disappointed in my opponent's strategy; if you review the mailers I sent out, they were focused on the issues," said Quintero, who condemned the Latino Leadership Fund's mailer and added that his campaign did not initiate the voter-fraud issue.

"That was initiated by the registrar of voters, and is now under review by the district attorney," said Quintero, referring to the more than 100 absentee-ballot requests submitted by the Krekorian campaign that are being scrutinized for possible forged signatures. "We will be watching that criminal investigation very closely," Quintero said.

He admitted, however, that the 100 ballots in question would not make a difference in Krekorian's margin of victory and that he was not planning on asking for a recount.