DEARBORN — The Arab American Political Action Committee (AAPAC) announced its endorsements for the Nov. 6 General Election this week after its members convened at The Arab American News office here Monday evening for nearly three hours debating and voting on which candidates and statewide ballot proposals to support. 

AAPAC has proven to be a powerful political force, because of the strong influence it has had on previous ballot proposals and local  election races. Only candidates and ballot proposals that received two-thirds of the vote were endorsed according to the by-laws of the group .

Moving forward AAPAC will use all its available resources to campaign on behalf of the candidates and proposals. The group has already started preparing bilingual newsletters and flyers to distribute and mail to Arab American registered voters in support of its endorsements. AAPAC has been conducting a series of interviews with candidates since late August to determine which ones would serve the best interest of the community if elected. Tuesday was the last day to register to vote in the election. 

While the group is asking for people to volunteer to assist it as the election approaches, AAPAC President, Attorney Mariam Bazzi says the most important thing people can do is remember to vote, and encourage their family and friends to do the same.  “First and foremost we need to get out and vote, not for AAPAC or the community but for ourselves,” Bazzi said. 

She says it’s important for people to be informed on the various statewide ballot proposals that could amend the constitution and change laws.  “This is a very important election…Arab Americans have the power to make a difference when they vote,” she said. 

AAPAC endorsed candidates running in local and statewide judicial, school board, congressional and state house races. Additionally, the group is supporting a number of candidates running for public office positions in Wayne, Ingham, Macomb and Oakland County. 

“Every race is important, whether it’s judicial or legislative because people’s rights are at stake,” Mona Fadlallah, attorney and AAPAC member said. 

A statement released by Sam Salamey’s campaign reads, “Sam Salamey is honored to have received the endorsement declaring him the most suitable candidate for the 19th District judge. AAPAC makes strides in our community to help people make a decision based on merit, and what serves the best interest in our community.” Other candidates who received endorsements from AAPAC also issued similar statements thanking the group. 

AAPAC didn’t endorse a presidential candidate this election, because no written request to receive an endorsement from the group was made by any candidate running for the position.  In accordance to AAPAC bylaws, no political candidate can be endorsed unless they submit a written request. 

AAPAC members convened Monday to vote on which candidates and statewide ballot proposals the group will endorse in the Nov. 6 General Election

AAPAC member and local attorney Tarek Baydoun says Proposal 6 is among the most harmful of all statewide ballot proposals. It  would amend the state constitution regarding construction of international bridges and tunnels. 

Baydoun says if Proposal 6 passes it would hamper the state’s efforts to build an economically vital international bridge crossing, and possibly another tunnel in the future, ultimately preventing Gov. Rick Snyder from building the newly proposed bridge to Canada. 

“Detroit and Michigan sits at the crossroad between the two largest trading partners in the world, the U.S. and Canada. Along with the billions in trade coming across the border every year there are billions of dollars in economic activity necessitated by this trade in logistics, shipping, storage and the like. Not building this bridge would force traders and shippers to look for other routes, squandering an opportunity to help revitalize the region,” he said.  The group votes to oppose Proposal six.

AAPAC External Vice President, Attorney and Founder of the Arab American Civil Rights League, Nabih Ayad says he believes proposal one is harmful. It’s a referendum on Public Act 4 of 2011 that would authorize the governor to appoint an emergency manager (EM) upon state finding of financial emergency, and allow the EM to act in the place of local government officials. “The proposal divests whoever is in power from consideration of important decisions,” he said. 

The group gives two thumbs down on proposal one.  Here is how AAPAC voted on other statewide ballot proposals: 

Proposal One: No 

Proposal Two: Yes

A proposal to amend the state constitution regarding collective bargaining. If passed it would grant public and private employees the constitutional right to organize and bargain collectively through labor unions.  

Proposal Three: No 

A proposal to amend the state constitution to establish a standard for renewable energy 

The initiative would mandate that by 2025, 25% of the state’s electricity must come form renewable resources. The proposal was filed by Michigan Energy, Michigan Jobs on January 12, 2012.

Proposal Four: Abstained 

A proposal to amend the state constitution to establish the Michigan Quality Home Care Council and provide collective bargaining for in Home Care Workers.  It would allow in home care workers to bargain collectivity with the Michigan Quality Home Care Council (MQHCC), and continue the current exclusive representation of in-home care workers until modified in accordance with labor laws.

Proposal Five: No 

A proposal to amend the state constitution to limit the enactment of new taxes by state government.  If enacted this measure would require that increases in state taxes must be approved by either a 2/3 majority in the Legislature or by a statewide vote. The measure was sponsored by Michigan Alliance for Prosperity.

The following candidates have been endorsed by AAPAC: 

Wayne County Third Circuit Court Judge, Partial Term Ending 01/01/2015: 

Incumbent Lawrence Talon 

Incumbent Margaret M. Van Houten

Wayne County Third Circuit Court Judge, six-year term 

Incumbent Wayne County Third Circuit Court Judge, Wendy Marie Baxter

Incumbent Wayne County Third Circuit Court Judge, Gregory Dean Bill

Incumbent Wayne County Third Circuit Court Judge, Edward Ewell Jr. 

Incumbent Wayne County Third Circuit Court Judge, Richard B. Halloran

Incumbent Wayne County Third Circuit Court Judge, Kathleen M. McCarthy

Incumbent Wayne County Third Circuit Court Judge, Maria L. Oxholm

Incumbent Wayne County Third Circuit Court Judge, Linda V. Parker

Incumbent Wayne County Third Circuit Court Judge, Deborah A. Thomas

Wayne County Third Circuit Court Judge non-incumbent, six-year term

Kevin Cox

Dana Margaret Hathaway 

Brian L. Morrow

Dearborn 19th District Court Judge, six year term 

Sam Salamey

Dearborn Heights 20th District Court Judge, six year term 

Incumbent Judge David D. Turfe

Ingham County 30th Circuit Court Judge non-incumbent, six-year term

Ken Ross 

Washtenaw County 22nd Circuit Court Judge, six year position 

Michael Woodyard

Inkster 22nd District Judge, six year term 

Incumbent Sabrina Johnson

36th District Judge non-incumbent, partial term ending 01/01/15 

Wanda Evans

Alicia Jones-Coleman

Michigan Supreme Court Justice, 

partial term ending 01/01/15

Incumbent Brian Zahra 

Michigan Supreme Court, eight year term 

Connie Marie Kelly

Bridget Mary McCormack

Macomb County Commissioner, District 5 

Robert Mijac (D)

Wayne County Commissioner, District 8 

Incumbent Diane Webb (D)

Wayne County Commissioner, 3rd District 

Incumbent Martha Scott (D)

 

Wayne County Commissioner, 13th District

Incumbent Gary Woronchak (D)

State Representative for the 4th District

Rose Mary Robinson (D)

 

State Representative 10th District 

Phil Cavanagh (D)

 

State Representative for the 11th District  

David Knezek (D)

11th U.S. Congressional District  

Dr. Syed Taj (D)

12th U.S. Congressional District 

Congressman John D. Dingell (D)

13th U.S. Congressional District 

Congressman John Conyers Jr. (D)

Wayne County Clerk 

Incumbent Cathy Garrett (D)

Wayne County Treasurer

Incumbent Raymond Wojtowicz (D)

Wayne County Sheriff

Incumbent Benny Napoleon (D)

Crestwood School Board

Incumbent Hamid Soueidan

Zaineb Hussein 

Dearborn School Board, four year term

Incumbent Aimee Blackbum 

Incumbent Mary Lane 

Oakland County Executive

David Howley (D)

Michigan State University Trustee

Brian Mosallam (D)

Wayne County Register of Deeds 

Incumbent Bernard Youngblood (D)

Wayne County Prosecutor

Incumbent Kym Worthy (D) 

Oakland County Clerk

Lisa Brown (D)