The Arab American Political Action Committee (AAPAC) on Tuesday released endorsements for the upcoming Nov. 3 election, showing support for 20 candidates in eight different races spanning five cities.

The group, founded in 1997, conducts interviews with candidates who request endorsement in the weeks before announcing choices, ahead of municipal and national elections.

Dearborn City Council candidate Ali Sayed, owner of a regional youth sports organization, speaks to a packed house at Byblos Banquet Hall in Dearborn during a fundraising dinner Tuesday. The general election will be held on Nov. 3 and candidates are making final preparations as the race heats up. PHOTO: Nafeh AbuNab

In Dearborn elections, the group endorsed incumbent Mayor John O’Reilly, incumbent council members George Darany, Suzanne Sareini, Robert Abraham, Thomas Tafelski, and council hopefuls David Bazzy, Brian O’Donnell and Ali Sayed.
The group also endorsed Hussein Berry for Dearborn School Board, and a ‘Yes’ vote on a ballot proposal for a Henry Ford Community College millage renewal to be voted on in the Dearborn Public School District.

For the Dearborn Heights City Council race, AAPAC gave the nod to incumbent Tom Berry.

The group endorsed seven Detroit City Council candidates, including Mohamed Okdie, Gary Brown, John Bennett, Jai-Lee Dearing, Fred Elliott Hall, James Tate and incumbent JoAnne Watson. For the Detroit Charter Commission, AAPAC endorsed candidate Rose Mary Robinson.

The group endorsed Hamtramck mayoral candidate Abdul Algazali and candidate for Roseville Treasurer Abdallah Awwad.

“I think we made some tough decisions, but I think we’re on the right track,” said AAPAC Vice President Don Unis.

He said one of the tough decisions the group had to make was leaving off the slate Dearborn council candidate George Hart, an Armenian American with close ties to the Arab American community and a long history of holding political office. Hart is 82, and Unis said the group had to make room for younger candidates with fresh ideas.

“It’s a new time,” Unis said. “AAPAC is an organization that thinks only in the best interest of the community.”

Abed Hammoud said the toughest decisions and most heated arguments held in AAPAC endorsement meetings every election are the healthiest part of the process.

“We really try hard to get the right person,” he said.

Real estate agent and PTA fixture Hussein Berry, during a campaign fundraiser at Byblos Banquet Hall in Dearborn on Wednesday: “When there is an issue on the table, I will investigate it thoroughly and make a decision based on — and its pretty much how I run my life — how will this decision affect the children of this district.” PHOTO: Khalil AlHajal/TAAN

The group provides volunteer support to the candidates it endorses at the polls on election day and in neighborhoods in the weeks leading up to the vote.
“We endorsed seven council candidates in Dearborn and we intend to work hard for all seven,” Hammoud said. “We’re going to fight for the full slate.”

He said the group intends to push voters to use all their votes on each ballot, rather than plunking, or voting for less than a full complement of candidates.

AAPAC members expressed enthusiasm over an increased number of candidates from Detroit elections requesting endorsements and participating in the group’s interview process.

“I think it’s great,” said Unis. “If Detroit fails, we all fail.”

Hammoud said Arab Americans are becoming more visible in the city and should play a bigger role in the political process.

Our community’s growing in Detroit, not only business, but in residential. We want to be very involved in the city Detroit,” he said.

AAPAC’s 12th annual dinner is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 29, 6:30 p.m. at the Bint Jebail Cultural Center, 6220 Miller Rd. in Dearborn.