Hammoud embraces his mother after the results

DEARBORN — There were screams; there were cheers, plenty of hugs and an abundance of joyful tears.

As Abdullah Hammoud’s campaign manager burst into the Lebanese American Heritage Club announcing his victory, the hall erupted with chaotic excitement.

Hammoud, 25, won the Democratic race for state representative in Dearborn. He beat three serious candidates who were vying for the 15th District’s safe Democratic seat.

The winning candidate received 3,477 votes, 836 more than Brian Stone, who came in second place with 2,641. Roxanne McDonald was third with 1861 votes, and Jacklin Zeidan fourth with 957.

Hammoud is a Dearborn native who attended the city’s public schools. He has never held public office. He has a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Michigan-Dearborn and a master’s in public health from U of M in Ann Arbor.

After the results, Hammoud paid tribute to his brother Ali, who died 10 month ago. He voiced gratitude to his family for supporting him during difficult times of grief.

“We did it for Dearborn; we did it for Ali,” he said. 

He told his volunteers and supporters that winning would not have been possible without them.

“This is your victory,” he said. “It’s not mine at all.”

The 25-year-old thanked voters, saying that residents believed in his vision.

“At the end of the day our hard work paid off,” he told The AANews. He added that he is looking forward to representing all his constituents. 

Asked about his priorities in Lansing, Hammoud said, “Just making a better tomorrow. Whether it be tackling mental health and substance and drug abuse, whether it be going to the Southend of Dearborn and ensuring that the air that they breathe is the same air that we breathe on the west end, whether it’s securing funds for education, pushing for public transportation, we have to address it all.”

Suhaib Al-Hanooti, a community activist, lauded Hammoud’s triumph as “amazing.” He said the candidate represents a new generation of politically active Arab Americans.

“The community came out united and supported one of our own,” he added. “Somebody young, somebody talented, energetic, somebody who’s served the community since he was a child.”

Al-Hanooti added that he’s known Abdullah since college. He described him as a selfless leader who has always been dedicated to serving others.

As supporters carried Hammoud on their shoulders in celebration, tears swelled up in the eyes of Mariam Jalloul. The Harvard graduate could not contain her happiness.

“I’m so incredibly proud of Abdullah,” she said. “I’m so proud of the team. For 10 months, we poured our hearts into that campaign, knocking on doors everyday. No one more is deserving than he is. He poured his heart into this campaign. I’m proud that he’s allowed me to be a part of it.”

Stone, a Navy veteran and Huffington Post columnist, congratulated Hammoud.

“While the election is over, my advocacy for this community will never end,” Stone wrote on Facebook. “This campaign was a first — the first time an openly gay man has ever run for office in Dearborn. Although I did not finish first, we have proven with thousands of votes that Dearborn is as warm-hearted and open-minded as I’ve always believed it to be.”