DEARBORN — Local Attorney Tarek M. Baydoun, a life-long Dearborn resident has announced his bid to seek a seat on Dearborn’s City Council. Dearborn will elect seven city council members, a mayor, and a city clerk in November 2013. Baydoun pulled petitions on Thursday, where he was joined by his wife Noha, and their daughter Eman, who will be two years old in March.

“It would be an honor and a privilege to continue serving the honest, hardworking residents of the city that raised me, as a member of our city council. I am running because I love Dearborn. I am aware of the challenges our city will face and I am ready, willing and qualified to serve,” Baydoun stated.

Baydoun has a long history with the city of Dearborn. He attended Dearborn Public Schools, graduating from Fordson High School. Baydoun then attained his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Michigan- Dearborn (UMD). During his time there as a student,  he served two years as the President of Student Government, a position elected by the student body. After graduating from UMD, Baydoun received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Toledo College of Law. During his time as a student, Baydoun also worked for U.S. Congressman John Conyers Jr. and served as a Community Representative for the Michigan Senate for Senate District 3 from 2006 to 2012, where he assisted the constituents and officials of Dearborn on State departmental and legislative issues. 

Attorney Tarek M. Baydoun

Baydoun represented his community after he was elected as precinct delegate in three different Dearborn precincts consecutively since 2004. His current and past affiliations and positions include Dearborn Board of Realtors- Legislative Affairs Committee member, Golfview Oaks Neighborhood Association member, Dearborn Federation of Neighborhood Associations member, Dearborn Democratic Club Trustee, Obama for America 2008 Field Organizer, Arab American Political Action Committee (AAPAC) Legislative Committee Chair, and ACLU of Michigan- Greater Detroit Chapter Board Member.

Baydoun says his law practice has focused mainly on the real estate and business practice areas, which have helped excel the structuring and negotiating of small and large business deals in Dearborn and the metro-Detroit area. He says one of his main goals as a councilman will be to focus on improving Dearborn’s economy.  

“I want to focus on providing the best value for Dearborn tax payers by bringing jobs, businesses and new residents into the city to make it more attractive. I have some innovative ideas that I will be announcing soon. Two major approaches will be filling office space at current businesses and filling retail space in the downtown areas through sustained strategic efforts,” Baydoun stated. 

Baydoun’s past and current volunteer activities include- Dearborn Youth Football Association (Dearborn Lions) Coach, mentoring students and student groups, annual Thanksgiving Day food drive through ACCESS, voter registration and mobilization, and pro bono legal representation. 

He’s also been involved in organizing and leading several community functions, including the unified rally held at Dearborn’s civic center in October, which attracted over 1,000 participants who demonstrated against growing hate speech toward Islam and Prophet Muhammad, in light of an anti-Islamic film that had caused worldwide uproar.  Baydoun promises that he will find more innovative ways to represent the Dearborn community, as well as work with other city council members to get sufficient results.

“I have a history of working with people, working in coalitions and producing results. I’m not the oldest guy running, but I have an effective work ethic. I am a product of Dearborn and I feel like I have a lot of good ideas and capabilities to help improve the city. I have a lot at stake here in Dearborn,” Baydoun added. 

Baydoun says he will be announcing his campaign plans in coming months, with a goal to reach out to as many Dearborn voters as possible. 

“In the coming months, I will work hard to earn the support of all of Dearborn’s residents. I intend to run a positive, solutions-oriented campaign that will respect Dearborn’s traditions while embracing an even brighter future.  I believe it is my responsibility to help keep our city great and provide the greatest possible value to Dearborn’s residents,” Baydoun added.

The deadline to file for city council is May 14, ahead of the Primary on August 6. From there, the top 14 candidates will proceed to the general election in November.