Bazzi.

DEARBORN — Abbie Bazzi has announced a run for 19th District Court Judge.

Bazzi, an attorney, will be vying for the open seat left by Judge William C. Hultgren, who ends his six year term at the end the year.

The primary election is slated for Tuesday, August 2, while the general election will be held on Tuesday, November 8.

Bazzi has been a managing attorney at the UAW Ford Legal Services Plan for 17 years out of the nearly 20 years she worked there. Her time as a managing attorney was split between the cities of Wayne and Livonia.

She has also worked for the UAW Ford Legal Services Plan in Dearborn. In addition to her experience in civil litigation, she practiced as a criminal attorney prior to joining the UAW Ford Legal Services Plan.

Bazzi is a graduate of Wayne State University, where she received a bachelor’s degree in journalism under the Wayne State Merit Scholarship. She subsequently obtained a law degree from Wayne State Law School.

Outside of her work, she has given back to the community in many ways. She has organized annual cancer awareness and research fundraisers where Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D- Mich.) was one of the keynote speakers. She also held benefits to raise funds for the uninsured and to support outreach programs.

She also hosts an annual get-together at Byblos Banquet in Dearborn, where business professionals and dignitaries gather to network and exchange ideas.

Bazzi, the mother of four children, said that after living in Dearborn for more than 44 years, she decided to run for judge as a way to give back to the community.

“Throughout my career, I have always made sure to be totally committed to any assignment I had,” she said. “Working with UAW members for many years provided me with a great legal experience,” she said. “My children are older now and I feel this is the right time for me to devote more time for public service.”

She cited the well being of the community’s children as one of the  issues she is passionate about.

“I am also particularly passionate about victims’ rights” she said.

Even though Bazzi’s formal announcement came only this month, community leaders have been aware of her intent to seek a judge’s seat for some time.

She said she has reached out to many dignitaries and judges in the area and received great encouragement for her run.

In order to reach out to Dearborn residents, Bazzi said she will walk door-to-door in the run-up to the election to meet as many residents as she can.

“I’m looking forward to walking the neighborhoods because I like to interact with people and to learn more about their concerns,” Bazzi said. “During my work as a manager at the UAW Ford Legal Services Plan, I particularly enjoyed interacting with clients. I consider myself a people’s person and I like to know and focus on what our residents want, while upholding the law and doing justice.”

Bazzi will be holding a kickoff campaign reception on Tuesday, January 26 at 5:30 p.m. at Byblos.