Charles Sahag "Chip" Pashayan Jr.[1][2] (born March 27, 1941) is an American lawyer and politician from California. He served as a Republican Congressman from the Fresno area in California's Central Valley from 1979 to 1991.

Chip Pashayan
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 17th district
In office
January 3, 1979  January 3, 1991
Preceded byJohn Hans Krebs
Succeeded byCal Dooley
Personal details
BornCharles Sahag Pashayan Jr.
(1941-03-27) March 27, 1941 (age 85)
PartyRepublican
EducationPomona College (BS)
University of California, Hastings (JD)
University of Oxford (BLitt)
Military service
Branch/service United States Army
Years of service
1968–1970
RankCaptain
UnitThe Pentagon

Biography

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Born in Fresno, Pashayan attended Bullard High School, graduated with a B.A. from Pomona College in 1963 and earned his J.D. from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law in 1968.

He is of Armenian descent.[3]

Early career

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He was admitted to the California bar in 1969 and to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States in 1977. He served in the United States Army at the rank of captain from 1968 to 1970. He was special assistant to the general counsel of the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare.

He earned a B.Litt. from Oxford University in 1977.

Congress

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Pashayan won his first term in 1978, when he upset two-term incumbent Democrat John Hans Krebs by a 54% to 46% margin. He introduced a House resolution recognizing Bobby Fischer as the official World Chess Champion, which passed in 1986. He represented his largely rural, conservative district until 1990, when he was defeated for reelection by Democrat Cal Dooley.

Electoral history

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1978 United States House of Representatives elections in California[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Charles (Chip) Pashayan 81,296 54.5
Democratic John Hans Krebs (incumbent) 67,885 45.5
Total votes 149,181 100.0
Turnout  
Republican gain from Democratic
1980 United States House of Representatives elections in California[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Charles (Chip) Pashayan (inc.) 129,159 70.6
Democratic Willard H. "Bill" Johnson 53,780 29.4
Total votes 182,939 100.0
Turnout  
Republican hold
1982 United States House of Representatives elections in California[6]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Charles (Chip) Pashayan (inc.) 80,271 54
Democratic Gene Tackett 68,364 46
Total votes 148,635 100
Turnout  
Republican hold
1984 United States House of Representatives elections in California[7]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Charles (Chip) Pashayan (incumbent) 128,802 72.5
Democratic Simon Lakritz 48,888 27.5
Total votes 177,690 100.0
Turnout  
Republican hold
1986 United States House of Representatives elections in California[8]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Charles (Chip) Pashayan (incumbent) 88,787 60.2
Democratic John Hartnett 58,682 39.8
Total votes 147,469 100.0
Turnout  
Republican hold
1988 United States House of Representatives elections in California[9]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Charles (Chip) Pashayan (incumbent) 129,568 71.5
Democratic Vincent J. Lavery 51,730 28.5
Total votes 181,298 100.0
Turnout  
Republican hold
1990 United States House of Representatives elections in California[10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Cal Dooley 82,611 54.5
Republican Charles (Chip) Pashayan (incumbent) 68,848 45.5
Total votes 151,459 100.0
Turnout  
Democratic gain from Republican

References

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  1. California Birth Index
  2. Quarterly, Inc, Congressional (January 1987). American Leaders, 1789-1987: A Biographical Summary. Congressional Quarterly, Inc. ISBN 9780871874139.
  3. Richard G Hovannisian: The Armenian people from ancient to modern times (p. 405)
  4. 1978 election results
  5. 1980 election results
  6. 1982 election results
  7. 1984 election results
  8. 1986 election results
  9. 1988 election results
  10. 1990 election results
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