Pasadena Political Firm Wins National Award For School Bond Campaign

Blue State Campaigns secured a Bronze Pollie Award from the American Association of Political Consultants for its direct mail campaign supporting two successful Pasadena school funding measures. The Pasadena-based firm’s work helped pass the largest bond measure in Pasadena Unified School District history and the district’s first-ever parcel tax, earning what the AAPC calls the industry’s highest honor at the national and international level.

“We are thrilled to have received this honor from the American Association of Political Consultants,” stated Hrag Yedalian, Principal and Lead Consultant at Blue State Campaigns. “Our goal was to highlight the critical needs facing PUSD, and we’re happy our message resonated with voters. The students, teachers and staff at PUSD deserve our full support and we were proud to be part of the effort to make sure they gain access to the resources they need to thrive.”

The firm received the Bronze Pollie in the Ballot Initiative Division for excellence in designing direct mail materials for Measures R and EE during the 2024 election cycle. Measure R, a general obligation bond, authorized $900 million in locally controlled funds for critical renovations. Measure EE, a parcel tax, raises approximately $5 million per year for eight years to fund vital programs and services.

Voters in Altadena, Pasadena and Sierra Madre approved both measures in November 2024 by decisive margins. Measure R passed with 65.31% of the vote, while Measure EE secured 69.37% support.

The AAPC announced the award during the 2025 Pollie Awards and Conference in Colorado Springs, Colorado on May 22, 2025. Over 1,000 of the industry’s leading professionals attended the event.

“The Pollie Awards continue to set the gold standard for creativity and effectiveness in political consulting,” said Larry Huynh, AAPC President. “This year’s winners demonstrate the talent, dedication, and vision that drive success in an ever-evolving political landscape.”

Blue State Campaigns founder Hrag Yedalian, a Pasadena resident, led the award-winning team that included Alex Manoukian, Megheti Der Boghossian, and Jared Farley. The Campaign Committee for Measures R and EE was composed of Tammy Godley (Chair), Jon Fuhrman (Treasurer), Dominick Correy (Assistant Treasurer), George Brumder, Tim Wendler, Gerald Freeney, Danny Bakewell, Jr., Phlunte Riddle, Ken Chawkins, and PUSD School Board Members Michelle Richardson Bailey and Patrice Marshall McKenzie.

The Pollie Awards represent bipartisan honors awarded annually by the AAPC to members of the political advertising and communications industry who have demonstrated superior work on behalf of their candidates and causes. A blind jury of their professional peers selects winners. Esquire magazine has dubbed the Pollies “the Oscars of political advertising.”