DEARBORN — The Arab American Political Action Committee voted on Tuesday to make endorsements for the upcoming August 5 primary elections. The group’s endorsement committee held interviews on July 12 and 15 with candidates for various local offices who had submitted written requests for AAPAC’s support. After the committee reported its results, members voted to endorse the following candidates:

U.S. House Representative-13th District — Mary Waters, D-Detroit Wayne County Treasurer — Phil Cavanagh Wayne County Prosecutor — Kym Worthy Wayne County Register of Deeds — Bernard Youngblood Wayne County Sheriff — Warren Evans Wayne County Clerk — Cathy Garrett Wayne County Circuit Court — (Vote for three) Lynne Pierce, Corbett O’Meara, Daniel Hathaway State House Representative-12th District — Rashida Tlaib, D-Detroit State House Representative-11th District — Gary Pollard, D-Detroit State House Representative-5th District — Abdul Algazali, D-Hamtramck

Rashida Tlaib Abdul Algazali

Members also discussed in the Tuesday meeting the possibility of issuing a statement of withdrawal of support for 19th District Court Judge Richard Wygonik; the group helped him win a close election in 2006. The judge has recently come under fire for allegedly making disparaging comments about Arab Americans during a private conversation with another elected official. Wygonik has responded to the accusations through a statement released by a spokesperson challenging the accuracy of Dearborn Heights Councilman Tom Berry’s description of the tone of the conversation. “It needs to be public that there’s action being taken,” said AAPAC member Nabih Ayad, a Dearborn attorney.
AAPAC President Osama Siblani — who is also publisher of The Arab American News — said the group’s executive board has scheduled a meeting to address the issue. “For 11 years we’ve supported hundreds of people. Out of these hundreds, we’ve missed on George W. Bush, and we missed on Judge Wygonik. That’s a pretty good record,” Siblani said. 

Mary Waters

Discussion on the endorsement of Mary Waters for U.S. Representative sparked debate at the meeting over incumbent 13th District Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, D-Detroit. Kilpatrick is well known for consistently voting completely in line with most Arab Americans on both domestic and international issues, but is rarely seen building relationships or attending functions within the community. “It’s hard to vote to replace someone who has a perfect voting record for the interests of this community, but Kilpatrick is disengaged from this community,” said Ayad. “If we have someone who’s willing to talk to us and stands on our side, and someone who won’t even come and talk to us, then there’s no comparison,” said Siblani. AAPAC Endorsement Chair Abed Hammoud and Vice President Mariam Bazzi said Waters exhibited in her interview a deep concern for civil rights issues and an intense work ethic. 

Phil Cavanagh

On the race for Wayne County Treasurer, members weighed incumbent Raymond Wojtowicz’s experience — and the fact that a number of Arab Americans have worked in his office — against the message of change put forth by challenger Phil Cavanagh, during tough economic times in the county with the highest number of tax foreclosures in the country. Bazzi said she was impressed by Cavanagh’s stated intentions to make use of successful strategies taken on by treasurers in other counties. “He’s trying to be innovative in what he wants to do,” she said. “He took our interview very seriously,” said AAPAC co-Vice President Don Unis, “and it’s time for a change.” Hammoud said a number of judicial candidates for the 3rd Circuit Court race impressed the endorsement committee during interviews. He said choosing three of the six who interviewed was tough to do. Another debate among members Tuesday addressed candidates who requested endorsements late. Several members wished to make exceptions to allow late interviews for Wayne County Commissioner candidate Diane Webb and others who submitted letters after set deadlines. Siblani wanted to be able to recommend Webb, running in District 9, as a replacement for Cavanagh, who currently occupies the seat, should he become treasurer. But the group’s strict adherence to its bylaws didn’t allow it. They said Webb, known to be close to many Arab Americans, and others, could seek endorsements in the general election if they get past the primaries. The group also made plans to distribute slate-cards, advertise and disperse volunteers to work outside the polls August 5.

Bazzi said she first joined AAPAC three years ago to build ties and network with other activists and professionals, but that she’s since come to relish the group’s processes, and takes pride in being a member. “People really rely on it in the community,” she said. “I’m proud to be part of the group.” She said she’s known many Arab Americans who anxiously await news of AAPAC endorsements, not knowing who to vote for without them. Hoda Berry, a family law attorney and non-AAPAC member who sat in on the endorsement process and intends to join the group, said the open, dynamic debates and direct engagement of the candidates appealed to her. “I’m highly impressed by the efficiency of the political organization. It adheres strictly to democratic values,” she said. “I invite all members of our community to stand behind this group.” She said she decided to engage AAPAC as she became engrossed in the race for 3rd Circuit Court judges. 

“I was curious about the interview process for the candidates… I wanted to have some input,” she said.