DEARBORN — Michigan Democratic candidate for governor Virg Bernero met with a large group of Arab American community representatives at the Lebanese American Heritage Club on Monday, September 20 to discuss his plans for the state while answering the questions and concerns of those in attendance

Lansing mayor and Michigan gubernatorial candidate Virg Bernero (standing) speaks to a crowd of local Arab American community leaders. He is with (L-R) CAAO Spokesman Osama Siblani, AAPAC VP Nabih Ayad and LIBC President businessman Ned Fawaz. PHOTO: Nick Meyer/TAAN

Arab American Political Action Committee Vice President Nabih Ayad, who hosted a fundraiser for Bernero prior to the primary election in August at his Canton home, pointed out that he is currently a similar percentage of votes in early polls behind opponent Rick Snyder as he was behind primary competitor Andy Dillon, whom he defeated by a comfortable margin.

Bernero said that recent polls have shown him gaining six percentage points on Snyder “and still gaining,” especially after his recent wave of TV ads.

A recent press release from his campaign stated that Snyder backtracked on his earlier “final” proposal to engage in three debates with Bernero, which Bernero had accepted. Snyder instead has agreed to participate in a single debate, which is scheduled to be televised on Sunday, October 10 at 7 p.m.

Leaders including businessman Ned Fawaz and Imam Hassan Al-Qazwini of the Islamic Center of American in Dearborn expressed their hope that Bernero would continue to work with and include the Arab American and Muslim communities while standing up for them when necessary after taking office.

Bernero related the story of his father, who came to America from Italy and began working delivering fruit from Eastern Market in Detroit to local businesses, as part of his understanding of the immigrant experience and the challenges faced by them.

Dearborn Heights Director of City Development Ron Amen (left, seated) and Imam Hassan Al-Qazwini of the Islamic Center of America (to his right) were among about 50 Arab American leaders who met with gubernatorial candidate Virg Bernero on Monday, September 20. PHOTO: Tariq Abdel Wahid/TAAN

Bernero said that the discrimination his father faced for having a “funny accent” and other differing customs is not near what American Muslims are facing now but added that he planned to stand with Arab Americans and Muslims.

“I know about the immigrant experience, I support it, I support you all,” he said.

 “I want you as part of my administration, no question, it will be a partnership and we are stronger as a society when we all know each other.

“It is fear and ignorance that we are fighting and I will be with you in the that fight.”

Bernero has hosted interfaith events as mayor including a Mosaic diversity day in Lansing involving local Islamic organizations including a recent iftar event during Ramadan; he also hired a Muslim deputy campaign manager.

Regarding his plan for the state, Bernero highlighted his record of five years with balanced budgets, no tax increases, and without losing a single firefighter or police officer.

Bernero added that he wants to pull $1 billion of Michigan taxpayer money out of an account with J.P. Morgan Chase Bank in New York City to create a state bank that would invest in credit unions and community banks in Michigan to assist small businesses the way it has been done in North Dakota.

He also said he wants to continue to push for more manufacturing jobs in Michigan instead of simply relying on services, highlighting his addition of 2,000 jobs in the sector in Lansing in 2010, and said that he has had the support of unions as mayor of Lansing long before he decided to run for governor.

Congress of Arab American Organizations spokesman Osama Siblani said that the community has a great deal at stake in the upcoming Nov. 2 elections in Michigan.

“Our community cannot afford to not be involved and cannot afford to beg to be involved,” he said, highlighting Bernero’s efforts to reach out to the community and seeking its support.

He said that local community leaders are working to meet with Snyder although no official meeting has been set.

“We have a good size vote and we can be an important number in this equation, if the number is tight then the 1-3 percent between Arabs and Muslims in Michigan we can make a difference in this campaign,” he said, citing former president George W. Bush’s narrow elections and the recent primary win by Arab American Kathleen Abdel-Hak by one vote in Dearborn Heights as examples.

A dinner held by “Arab Americans for Bernero” as a fundraiser in support of his campaign is expected to take place at Byblos Banquet Hall in Dearborn on Tuesday, October 5 at 5:30 p.m.