Susan Dabaja.

DEARBORN — On Wednesday, April 6, City Council President Susan Dabaja held a fundraising event at Habibs Cuisine in a bid for a 19th District Court Judge seat.

Community members and local officials packed the venue to show support for
her. 

Among those in attendance included Wayne County Executive Warren Evans, 19th District Court Chief Judge Sam Salamey, Dearborn Magistrate Helal Farhat, Dearborn Mayor Jack O’Reilly and several of her peers on City Council, including Tom Tafelski, David Bazzy and Mike Sareini. 

Dabaja first ran for public office in 2013, when she became the highest vote getter in the race for City Council.

She was born and raised in Dearborn and is a graduate of the University of Michigan-Dearborn and the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law.

Dabaja has a husband and three children. As an attorney, she practices out of Farhat & Associates, PLLC. 

Dabaja took the podium to thank the crowd for the overwhelming support. She told Dearborn residents that she aspired to be a judge for many years and when a seat opened up she decided to pursue the opportunity. She brushed off criticsm that she would not be completing her full term on council if elected judge.

“I am running because I am qualified,” Dabaja said. “I am an experienced attorney, trained mediator and litigator.  I am passionate about our city and the issues that our residents face.  And I am a dedicated member of this community.”

The race for judge is shaping up to be a competitive one. Along with Dabaja, attorney Abbie Bazzi is also running for the position. Last week, Dearborn attorney Gene Hunt also threw his name into the race.

The candidates are vying for the seat that will be left vacant by Judge William Hultgren, who is retiring at the end of the year. 

Dabaja said she welcomes the competition and will remain focused on running a positive campaign. 

“My campaign will always stick to the issues and never resort to negative campaign tactics, the type of tactics we see in the media today meant to shock or scare voters,” Dabaja said. “I have always made decisions based on what is in the best interest of the city of Dearborn and its residents.  My integrity would not allow me to do
otherwise.”