DEARBORN – Friends of Wayne County Executive Warren Evans, led by Deputy County Executive Assad Turfe, organized a well attended fundraising event last Thursday evening at La Pita Banquet Center in Dearborn in support of Evans’ 2026 reelection campaign. The event drew an impressive crowd of public officials, elected leaders, business people and community figures from across Michigan’s largest counties.

Among the prominent attendees were U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Ann Arbor) and several mayors from communities across the county, including Abdullah Hammoud (Dearborn), Bill Bazzi (Dearborn Heights), Brian P. Turnbull (Northville), Timothy O. Woolley (Taylor), Robert A. McCraight (Romulus), Kevin Coleman (Westland), William Campbell (River Rouge) and Joseph G. Kuspa (Southgate), as well as Shunteel Jenkins, a candidate for Detroit mayor.

Also present were Macomb County Executive Mark A. Hackel, Detroit Metro Airport CEO Chad Newton, former Democratic Michigan House Speaker Joe Tate and State Representative Alabas Farhat (D-Dearborn)

The evening, which included a dinner, also featured a number of Wayne County Commissioners and county judges, including Commission Chair Alisha Bell and Commissioner Sam Baydoun; Judges Mariam Bazzi, Susan Dabaja, Helal Farhat, Lawrence Elassal andAdel Harb and Circuit Court Chief Judge Patricia Perez Fresard, along with several City Council members from across Wayne County.

Wayne County Executive Warren C. Evans speaks at the fundraiser.

Osama Siblani, publisher of The Arab American News, welcomed the distinguished guests and paid tribute to Executive Evans.

“In this small room, I see the greatness of America’s diversity,” he said. “The people in this room embody America’s greatness, and together, we must restore and preserve it as a welcoming country.”

Siblani noted that America is currently facing a crisis, expressing concern that the nation he immigrated to in 1976 is no longer the same. He urged collective action to rebuild the country.

“Maybe Washington should learn from this great leader who built a diverse and competent team, and led Wayne County from the brink of bankruptcy to growth and prosperity.”

He praised Evans’ leadership qualities, noting their 2023 trip to Lebanon and how impressed Lebanese officials were with Evans’ character and professionalism.

“Today we proudly host one of America’s greatest leaders,” he said. “I’ve known Mr. Evans for 30 years. He has a unique talent for building meaningful relationships.”

Siblani added that during their Lebanon visit, Evans met then-Army Commander Joseph Aoun — now president of Lebanon — as well as Speaker Nabih Berri and other senior officials.

The Arab American News Publisher Osama Siblani

“When I returned to Lebanon last December, people asked why Evans didn’t come with me!”

He emphasized Evans’ strong ties to the Arab American community in Metro Detroit and his record of appointing Arab American professionals to his administration, calling it the most diverse in Michigan.

“Perhaps Washington leaders should come to Wayne County and learn from Mr. Evans how to lead and get things done.”

Siblani encouraged attendees to generously support Evans’ 2026 reelection.

“We must not hold back in backing this great leader,” he said.

Wayne County Executive Warren Evans receives strong backing in Dearborn fundraiser

According to The Arab American News, the event raised more than $220,000, with donations expected to grow further in the coming months.

Turfe highlighted the diversity of Evans’ administration, which serves approximately 1.8 million residents in the most populous county in Michigan.

“Wayne County’s diverse government reflects America’s diversity,” Turfe said. “Real leadership means creating the conditions for people and communities to thrive.”

Turfe, who is of Lebanese origin, credited Evans’ vision and leadership for lifting the county out of financial hardship.

“When Evans took office 10 years ago, the county was more than $150 million in debt with another 52 million dollar structural deficit annually, with over $1 billion in unfunded pension and retiree healthcare liabilities and carried a junk bond status by every financial ratings agency,” he said. “Today, it has a budget surplus of around $400 million, 10 straight balanced budgets and has dramatically reduced long-term pension and healthcare obligations with a AA bond rating. That kind of turnaround doesn’t happen by accident — it takes discipline, vision, and the courage to make tough decisions.

Deputy Wayne County Executive Assad Turfe

“Warren Evans didn’t just stabilize the county — he built the environment for it to thrive,” Turfe added. “That’s the mark of a real leader. His steady hand and commitment to service have empowered us to innovate, grow, and better serve the people of Wayne County.”

In his closing remarks, Evans delivered a calm and humble speech, crediting his team for the county’s progress.

“True leadership is about finding capable people and investing in their talents and experiences to achieve common goals,” he said.

He emphasized that leadership is not innate but the result of hard work.

“Leadership isn’t in your genes,” he said. “You have to double your efforts to achieve your goals.”

Evans underlined that his relationship with his team and other governmental bodies is based on dialogue and mutual respect.

He thanked the organizers, especially Turfe.

“Now I can enjoy my vacations, knowing he’ll handle things just fine,” he said, showing confidence in his young deputy.

Born in 1948, Evans is a lawyer, politician, and law enforcement official affiliated with the Democratic Party. He has served as county executive since 2015.

Previously, he was county sheriff from2004–2009 and Detroit police chief from 2009–2010. He ran unsuccessfully for Detroit mayor in 2009.

In 2014, Evans won the Democratic primary for county executive, defeating three-term incumbent Robert Ficano by a wide margin. He was reelected in 2018 and again in 2022.

During his second term, the Wayne County Airport Authority voted to name the North Terminal at Detroit Metropolitan Airport in his honor. The terminal was officially dedicated as the Warren Cleage Evans Terminal on April 4, 2022.