Each election season, The Arab American News issues endorsements for candidates the editorial department of the newspaper deems will best serve the community, as well as the cities, counties, state, and  country the best. The upcoming Michigan primary election on August 3 is no exception, as an election with several hotly contested races and a low turnout is expected, heightening the importance of  the Arab American community’s participation as an informed voting bloc.

Each election season, The Arab American News supports the candidates that are endorsed by the Arab American Political Action Committee (AAPAC) mainly because the AAPAC process is thorough and democratic, but also because it takes place in the offices of The Arab American News.

Candidates are interviewed personally and debates regarding the endorsement of each candidate take place, with final votes exemplifying the spirit of America’s democratic system.

This year is not an exception that The Arab American News encourages members of the Arab American community to come out and vote and to participate heavily in the primary election and to support the candidates in this election. And vote for the candidates endorsed by The Arab American News and AAPAC.

The number is low therefore the community’s participation could very well make a big difference in the races.

 Please note that each person may only vote for candidates from either the Republican or Democratic Party for the primary election; cross-voting will cause the ballot to be voided.

Non-partisan races such as those involving judges or city council seats are different, however.

Voters are allowed to take references such as this one with them into the voting booths for personal use.

The following is a list of The Arab American News’ 2010 Michigan Primary Election Endorsements:

Michigan Governor

Michael Bouchard (R)

Bouchard, who is of Lebanese descemt is a former Michigan State senator from 1991-1999 and the current Oakland County Sheriff. He has built strong relationships within the Arab American community.

Michigan Governor

Andy Dillon (D)

Dillon is another friend of the Arab American community who has served as Michigan’s speaker of the house since 2007, helping create the 21st Century Jobs Fund in the state.

Dillon recently released a statement on his website thanking AAPAC for the endorsement.

“I’m happy to receive the endorsement of AAPAC,” Dillon said. “They support my vision of Renewing the Michigan Dream through job creation, economic growth and improvements to our educational system.”

Wayne County Exec.

Robert Ficano (D)

Ficano, running for re-election and endorsed by the UAW, Teamsters, and politicians such as Detroit Mayor Dave Bing and Michigan Congressman John Dingell among others, is a another long-time supporter of the Arab American community.

Wayne County Sheriff

Benny Napoleon (D)

Napoleon, the current sheriff, joined the Detroit Police Department in 1975 and worked his way up to deputy chief in 1994 before becoming chief in 1998.

Wayne County Commissioner 9th District

Diane Webb (D)

Webb is seeking re-election after winning in 2008 by receiving more than twice as many votes as competitor Mark Slater. District 9 covers Dearborn Heights, Garden City, and Redford Township. She has been endorsed by Michigan Congressman John Dingell and Dearborn Heights Mayor Dan Paletko among others.

Wayne County Commissioner 3rd District

Martha Scott (D)

The current state senator for District 2, Scott is challenging for this seat, which covers the northeast section of Detroit and the cities of Hamtramck, Highland Park, Harper Woods, and five Grosse Pointe communities. She was a member of the Michigan House of Representatives from 1994 through 2001.

Wayne County Circuit Court Judge

John Sullivan

Sullivan, who finished fifth in a race for three seats in 2008, is hoping to be elected as a judge for the lone vacant seat this time around.

State Representative 10th District

Harvey Santana (D)

Santana  is hoping to represent the lower half of northwest Detroit. He has a background in urban planning and transportation in the private sector, having worked on three of Michigan largest transportation projects.

State Representative 12th District

Rashida Tlaib (D)

The incumbent Tlaib became the first Muslim woman to serve in the Michigan legislature in November 2008 when she was elected and she is hoping to be re-elected to her post in southwest Detroit, where she grew up. The daughter of Palestinian immigrants, Tlaib has a B.A. in Political Science from Wayne State University and a law degree from the Thomas Cooley Law School.

State Representative 15th District

George Darany (D)

People can take the slate with them to the polls to vote accordingly and we encourage people to do so. Darany, a long-time Dearborn City Councilman of Syrian descent, has a degree in Economics from the University of Michigan-Dearborn and owned Classic Trolley Company for 20 years. He has served as the vice president of the Dearborn Chamber of Commerce’s executive board.

State Representative 15th District

Suzanne Sareini (R)

Sareini has been a member of Dearborn City Council since 1989 and is a lifelong resident of Dearborn. She is a founding member of the Lebanese American Heritage Club and graduated from Fordson High School in 1969.

State Representative 17th District

Phil Cavanagh (D)

An attorney who represented his home city of Redford for eight years on the Wayne County Commission before falling short in a bid for county treasurer, Phil Cavanagh currently runs a consulting business that focuses on bringing jobs to the state.

State Representative 5th District

Abdul Al-Gazali (D)

Algazali, a Yemeni American, narrowly lost to Karen Majewski in the Hamtramck mayoral race in 2009 and has served on the city council.

State Senate 3rd District

William Isaac Robinson (D)

Endorsed by U.S. Congressman John Conyers of Michigan along with Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy along with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Join Council #43 among others, the Democrat Robinson has been highly visible at numerous events in the Arab American community.

Macomb City Commissioner 5th District

Robert Mijac (D)

The current District 9 commissioner in Macomb County, Mijac has a Master’s in Finance from Wayne State.

Dearborn Heights City Council

Kathy Abdel-Hak

An 18-year Dearborn Heights resident, Abdel-Hak has co-owned and operated the N.J. Diamonds store  along with her husband for the past 13 years. She wants to upgrade the city’s technology and make the city more user-friendly for disabled residents.