DEARBORN — Councilman-elect Mike Sareini celebrated his victory with family, campaigners and community activists and leaders at the Lebanese American Heritage Club, on the evening of Tuesday, Nov. 5.

Sareini arrived to the hall about 30 minutes after the polls closed at 8 p.m. He went around the room and individually thanked supporters and campaign volunteers for their efforts. 

Sareini celebrates with his children.

As organizers periodically announced updates on the vote count, Sareini was looking increasingly comfortable in third place as the evening progressed. With 8,723 votes, he finished as the third highest vote-getter, behind Susan Dabaja and Thomas Tafelski.

After his election to the council was confirmed, Sareini thanked family and supporters and stressed that his victory did not come easy.

“This is a huge victory, but it wasn’t an easy one. We got knocked down, but got right back up and kept fighting,” he said, while fighting back tears. “This could not be done by one or two people. We gathered a broad base of support. In four years, those who voted for me will be proud. And those who did not will know what we’re all about.”

After Sareini completed his speech, one enthused supporter shouted, “You are looking at the next mayor.”

“I’m ecstatic,” said a young campaigner. “The result is not surprising. Our hard work paid off.”

As for his policies, Sareini told The Arab American News that the first order of business will be working on instituting a rule that requires Dearborn Police officers to live in the City, so they would be a part of the community that they are protecting. 

“We have to look into the hiring practices and make sure that City employees match the diversity of the population,” he said, in response to a question about the lack of Arab American representation in the police and fire departments.  

Sareini said he will also work to improve the City’s residential services and speed up the process for obtaining building permits. 

The councilman-elect, who went back to college in 2006, after the birth of his youngest son, has a law degree from Thomas Cooley Law School. He is currently a car salesman at Jorgensen Ford in Detroit. In January, he will take his seat on the council, replacing his mother Suzanne Sareini, who opted not to run for office, after 24 years as a Dearborn councilwoman.