Comments
A SAFE GLENDALE - As advocates for accountable government, most Democrats believe public service is a responsibility, not a branding exercise. Candidates who seek elected office should be prepared to answer difficult questions about their record, their judgment, and their integrity.
That standard should apply equally to everyone, regardless of wealth, political connections, or campaign marketing.
That is why Glendale voters should take a hard look at Glendale City Council candidate Evelina Sarian before rewarding her with a vote, much less a position of public trust.
Sarian’s campaign platform repeatedly emphasizes the idea of a “safe Glendale.” She speaks about public safety, safer streets, and responsible governance. Those are worthy goals. But many Glendale residents have begun asking whether her own record reflects the values she promotes on the campaign trail.
Public records indicate Sarian was arrested in connection with a DUI-related incident in March 2023 that was later resolved as a “wet reckless” offense. In California, a “wet reckless” is commonly understood to involve alcohol-related reckless driving and is frequently negotiated from an original DUI allegation. Whether the matter was reduced or resolved through a plea agreement is not the only issue before voters. The real issue is credibility.
Sarian has oddly tried to make cracking down on “reckless driving” a priority of her 2026 campaign for City Council.
If a candidate campaigns on safety and responsibility, voters are entitled to ask whether that candidate has consistently demonstrated sound judgment personally and politically.
That concern becomes even more serious when viewed alongside another troubling matter now associated with Sarian’s name.
A Miami Herald investigation into a Florida healthcare dispute reported that Sarian was identified in litigation involving internal conflicts over hospital financial accounts connected to Healthcare Systems of America and her ousted CEO husband, Michael Sarian.
According to Miami Herald’s reporting, her name surfaced in connection with an attempted takeover of hospital banking accounts during an intense struggle over control of corporate assets.
Evelina Sarian, a Glendale candidate for City Council, was cited in a lawsuit in Florida in March 2026 over an attempted takeover of corporate bank accounts
To be clear, Sarian has not been accused of criminal conduct in that reporting. But public office requires more than simply avoiding criminal charges. It requires transparency, ethical judgment, and the confidence of the community. When voters see a candidate connected to alcohol-related arrests as a motorist and campaign positions that conflict with that record as well as litigation tied to takeovers of corporate bank accounts, they are justified in asking serious questions about a candidate’s fitness for office.
Elections are not about personalities. They are about standards and serving the public in a trustworthy fashion.
Glendale residents are dealing with rising costs, traffic congestion, housing pressures, infrastructure concerns, and public safety challenges. Working families need leaders focused on solving problems — not candidates distracted by private controversies or surrounded by unanswered ethical concerns.
Too often candidates rely on carefully crafted slogans and polished campaign imagery while hoping voters will ignore legitimate concerns about their background.
But democracy only works when voters are informed and willing to hold candidates and public officials accountable. That accountability must begin before Election Day.
No one is entitled to a seat on the Glendale City Council. Public office must be earned through trust, transparency, and demonstrated integrity. Voters should examine the facts carefully, ask hard questions, and refuse to lower the standards expected of anyone seeking authority over public policy and taxpayer resources.
Private loans of $50,000 to her own campaign have bankrolled Sarian’s current bid for public office
The people of Glendale and all stakeholders in the growing, diverse city deserve leaders who practice the same responsibility they demand from residents. They deserve leaders whose conduct strengthens public confidence rather than undermines it.
Ultimately, this election comes down to a simple question: Does Evelina Sarian’s record reflect the kind of judgment, accountability, and ethical leadership Glendale deserves at City Hall?
The Los Angeles County Democratic Party and the East Area Progressive Democrats have endorsed incumbent councilmembers Elen Asatryan and Dan Brotman for reelection, along with city planner Alek “with a K” Bartrosouf. Elen, Dan, and Alek “with a K” all have established records of public service, policy experience, and longstanding engagement in local Democratic politics. Many Glendalians agree these are the 3 candidates Glendale deserves. I hope even more voters will decide that, too, by June 2.
Most Democrats in Glendale appear to be rejecting Sarian and choosing instead Elen Asatryan, Dan Brotman, and Alek Bartrosouf.
(Hans Johnson is a longtime advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, environmental justice, and public education. His columns have appeared in USA Today and leading newspapers across more than 20 states. Based in Eagle Rock, he serves as president of East Area Progressive Democrats (EAPD), California’s largest grassroots Democratic club with over 1,100 members. Hans brings decades of organizing and policy experience to his work, advancing equity and accountability in local and national politics.)
