AHI Releases Congressional Candidate Questionnaire Findings

Majority of Respondents Agree with AHI’s Positions on Greek American Issues

WASHINGTON, DC — The American Hellenic Institute (AHI) released the results from its 2012 Congressional Candidate Questionnaire today.  In August, AHI mailed the questionnaire to the campaign offices of congressional candidates from the two major parties and select independent candidates who are running for Congress.

AHI received 18 responses of which six candidates stated that they do not complete surveys or questionnaires.  Twelve candidates did submit responses, including U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), a senior member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, who submitted a detailed campaign statement.

“The questionnaire surveyed the candidates on issues that are of great importance to the Greek American community that involve U.S. relations with Greece and Cyprus, as well as southeastern Europe and eastern Mediterranean region,” said AHI President Nick Larigakis “We thank the candidates, especially Senator Menendez, for taking the time to responds to our questionnaire; however, we are extremely disappointed with the poor overall response.  Although we contend the poor response rate is due to a lack of community activism at the grassroots level that must be addressed if we are to make strides, we do believe the Greek American community deserves better.”

The overwhelming majority of the 12 respondents were in agreement with each of the 14 policy positions taken by AHI.  Policy issues such as: the Aegean Sea Boundary, FYROM’s name-recognition, a just and viable Cyprus solution, religious freedom for the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and a critical review of U.S. policy toward Turkey were surveyed.

Larigakis added, “Obviously, candidates are still on the campaign trail.  We strongly encourage the community to urge congressional candidates, incumbents or challengers, to share their positions with the community. There is still time.”

• Please click here to download the questionnaire results.

To view the candidate questionnaire, please click here.

The American Hellenic Institute is an independent non-profit Greek American public policy center that works to strengthen relations between the United States and Greece and Cyprus, and within the Greek American community. 

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For additional information, please contact Georgea Polizos at (202) 785-8430 or at pr@ahiworld.org. For general information about the activities of AHI, please see our website at https://www.ahiworld.org.