DEARBORN — Mike Sareini has officially announced his bid for a seat in this year’s city council race, eyeing to take one of the seven spots available in this November’s election. Sareini is looking to build on the work established by his mother, Suzanne Sareini, who announced this week that she will not seek a re-election after serving on the council since 1989.

Sareini, 41, who pulled his petition at city hall on Wednesday accompanied by his mother, says he’s been planning on seeking a position on city council for a while now. He’s hoping his education at  Cooley Law School in Lansing, as well as his business experience at Jorgensen Ford in Detroit, where he was recognized as the number one salesman in the region, will have prepared him to take on such a position at Dearborn’s city hall.

“I have been involved in public service all my life from being raised by my mom and family, so it was always something I knew I would do in some point in my life. I wanted to make sure the timing was right and that I had the credentials as well,” Sareini stated.

A father of five, Sareini says it’s important that the city keeps its strong services intact, such as the police and fire departments. He says he wants to make sure those services aren’t affected as budget cuts continue to strain the city. He also wants to educate the community regarding their rights and privileges when it comes to services that are offered. 

Mike Sareini pulls his petition with his mother, Councilwoman Suzanne Sareini, along his side at city hall on Wednesday.

“The city services need to remain strong. We are known for having outstanding police and fire departments. A lot of people don’t know what services are offered and how they can get to it. The council allows people to get access into the city government and to get resources regarding tax bills, ticketing, parking, and even garbage pick ups. All these things affect people on a daily basis,” Sareini says.

Sareini’s mother, Suzanne, says she will be supporting and campaigning for his bid on the council and believes he has picked up plenty of experience just from working closely with her over the years. 

“Mike can fill the gap in the community for the people who are my age and his age. I think he can excite the younger generation to get involved. He’s a dedicated hard worker who knows the workings of the city. He’s realized how his law education and what I do in the city mesh together. His law degree will be a great benefit to the community. People who know my son will be proud of him as I am,” Suzanne said. 

Sareini’s announcement makes him the fourth Arab American candidate seeking a seat on the council this year. He joins Attorney Tarek Baydoun, Attorney Susan Dabaja, and former Dearborn Police Officer Mohamed Berro in the race. Sareini says the Arab American community has come a long way since the early days of when his mother became the first Arab American Muslim woman to be elected into office.

“The community has gotten wiser than they were in the past. I think this time we have a different outlook and it’s very positive. The candidate pull this time is significantly more qualified than the past and they are all in it for the right reasons. We are all on the same page of working together and not hurting each others’ campaigns. We’ve all had talks together and I feel confident and comfortable that the candidates won’t hurt each other, hopefully we will just bring out more people to vote,” Sareini said.

Sareini plans to hold a campaign fundraiser on May 15 at Byblos Banquets. 

The deadline to petition for city council is May 14. All candidates will compete in the upcoming Primary on August 6, where the top 14 vote getters will move on to the general election on November 5.