AAPAC announces endorsements for key municipal races
October 20th, 20170 DEARBORN – It was an unfavorable outcome for some new candidates in Dearborn and neighboring cities' primary elections, but some might have another shot at making it into office on Nov. 7. After a passionate debate on Tuesday, Oct. 17, The Arab American Political Action Committee (AAPAC) endorsed candidates in the general elections...
Land deal puts Dearborn mayoral race in media crossfire
October 17th, 20170 DEARBORN — The city has had its fair share of shock and scandal during recent elections, but it took the first contested mayoral race since 2001 to land incumbent Mayor Jack O'Reilly and his opponent, long-time City Councilman Tom Tafelski, in a media frenzy over poor judgment and regretted deals. Increasing transparency in...
Hamtramck: Arab Americans make headway in council race
August 11th, 20170 HAMTRAMCK — Even though 33 percent of Hamtramck's residents are Yemeni, only one Yemeni candidate— Mohammad Al-Somiri— made it to the general elections this year. Yemeni American Councilman Saad Almasmari said the community was hoping educator Akil Al-Halemi would make it through the City Council primary race because of his high...
Dearborn Heights mayoral race: Paletko, Hicks-Clayton to face off on Nov. 7
August 11th, 20170 DEARBORN HEIGHTS — On August 8, Dearborn Heights held its municipal primary elections for mayor, City Council, City Clerk and treasurer. Mayor Dan Paletko won first place in the mayoral race, followed by Councilwoman Lisa Hicks-Clayton who came in second. The two candidates will face off in the general election on November 7. Eduardo...
Detroit primary election results
August 11th, 20170 DETROIT — Incumbents in Detroit proved their favorability among residents. Mayor Mike Duggan received 67 percent (43,488 votes) of the total votes cast, while State Sen. Coleman Young II received 27 percent (17,155 votes). The two will compete in the November 7 general election. "Thank you, Detroit," Duggan said at his election...
Beyond the ballot boxes: Rules about campaign signs
August 11th, 20171 DEARBORN — While lawn signs, bumper stickers, handbills and lots of red, white and blue are all pieces of the campaign paraphernalia, these materials can be an eyesore if candidates don't follow city ordinance for placement and cleanup. So, what are some of the do's and don'ts of campaigning? "For the campaign workers, they need...
Dearborn mayoral race: O’Reilly, Tafelski head for Nov. 7 showdown
August 11th, 20172 DEARBORN — Despite excitement about this year's primary elections, the bustle of many campaign volunteers outside polling locations and significant mayoral races, the average voter turnout in Dearborn, Dearborn Heights and Hamtramck was about 22 percent. Several incumbent Arab American candidates in the three cities secured their...
High candidate representation in Dearborn Heights, low voter turnout
August 8th, 20170 DEARBORN HEIGHTS-- There was low voter turnout throughout the day at various precincts in Dearborn Heights, but there was an abundance of representation for the candidates at each station. Candidate Mo Baydoun had several people at each precinct with signs, Cheez-Its, and conversation for people going to the polls. Baydoun said he...
Dearborn volunteers remain enthusiastic despite low voter turnout
August 8th, 20170 DEARBORN- Even though the primary voting in Dearborn has been slow since the polls opened at 8 a.m. this morning, volunteers remain optimistic. According to data from the city clerk’s office, there are 50 precincts and a total of 60,752 registered voters. At McDonald Elementary School, the turnout seemed to be unfavorably low...
Low number of voters at the polls in Hamtramck
August 8th, 20170 HAMTRAMCK- So far, a low number of voters showed up at the Hamtramck precincts for this year’s primary. According to City Clerk August Gitschlag, there are 1385 registered voters in precinct 1, 2076 in precinct 2, 1635 in precinct 3, 2738 in precinct 4, 1131 in precinct 5, 1099 in precinct 6 and 1421 in precinct 7. A total of...
Our endorsements for Dearborn, Hamtramck and Detroit municipal elections
August 4th, 20170 One might think that Dearborn prospers businesswise— mainly as home to Ford Motor Company's world headquarters—yet it doesn't, due to the lack of change in the system and in the administration. Many businesses have moved out after Dearborn established restrictive ordinances. Business owners began setting up shops in nearby cities...
The Dearborn Heights 2017 primary elections: Our endorsements
July 28th, 20171 As Dearborn Heights' community and economic landscape transforms to reflect its neighboring city of Dearborn, so must the city's government transform to reflect its constituents. Over the years, many Arab Americans have steadily moved from Dearborn to Dearborn Heights, a bedroom community whose obstacle to tremendous ambitions has...
Meet Dearborn’s City Clerk candidates
July 24th, 20170 Five candidates have thrown their hats in the ring for Dearborn's City Clerk. Four of them are Arab Americans. Their names will appear on the August 8 primary election ballot. The four will advance to the general election on November 7 to compete for two seats. The AANews asked the candidates the following question: Q. Why do you...
Meet Dearborn’s City Council candidates
July 24th, 20170 There are 16 candidates who have thrown their hats in the ring for Dearborn's City Council. Their names will appear on the August 8 primary election ballot. The top 14 will advance to the general elections on November 7. The AANews asked the candidates two questions: Q1. Why do you feel you are qualified candidate for the...
Meet Dearborn Heights’ City Council candidates
July 22nd, 20170 DEARBORN HEIGHTS - A changing city requires a change in leadership. That is the premise many of Dearborn Heights' City Council candidates are running their campaigns on as the August 8 primary elections draw closer. Reflected in the increase in Arab Americans running, the city's demographics are drastically changing. Many residents......
Meet Dearborn Heights’ mayoral candidates
July 22nd, 20170 DEARBORN HEIGHTS - Three candidates have thrown their hats in the ring for Dearborn Heights' mayor. Their names will appear on the August 8 primary election ballot. The top two will advance to the general elections on November 7. The AANews asked the candidates the following three questions: Q1. Why do you feel you are a qualified...
Meet Dearborn’s mayoral candidates
July 22nd, 20170 DEARBORN - Five candidates have thrown their hats in the ring for Dearborn's mayor. Their names will appear on the August 8 primary election ballot. The top two will advance to the general elections on November 7. The AANews asked the candidates the following questions: Q1. Why do you feel you are a qualified candidate for the...
An overview of primary elections in Metro Detroit
July 21st, 20170 DEARBORN — Although voters and candidates in Dearborn are preparing for the Aug. 8 primary election, not all communities in Metro Detroit have primaries. These are the communities in Oakland, Washtenaw, Wayne and Macomb Counties that will: In Oakland County, candidates in Pontiac are running for mayor and for council positions in...
How to vote on August 8 if you’re overseas or in the military
July 21st, 20170 DEARBORN — Majority immigrant cities like Dearborn, Dearborn Heights and Hamtramck tend to see a decrease in residents every summer, since most community members choose this season to visit their families overseas. In election years, such as this year, civic-minded residents might wonder if they'll miss the opportunity to vote in......
AAPAC issues more endorsements, approves financial support for selected candidates
July 20th, 20170 DEARBORN — On Thursday, AAPAC members approved monetary support for selected candidates who are members of the organization. Also, AAPAC members voted to support Mo Baydoun, a fourth candidate in the Dearborn Heights Council race. Last week AAPAC endorsed candidates Bob Constan, Bill Bazzi and Jeff Mallad. Eleven candidates are...
Hamtramck elections draw more Arab American candidates, but challenges lie ahead
July 14th, 20170 HAMTRAMCK — As Michiganders mull over who to elect or reelect to various government positions, a town with a growing Arab American population is also preparing for the upcoming elections. Hamtramck is facing shifting demographics, reflecting that of its neighbors, Dearborn and Dearborn Heights. It's also where an unprecedented......
AAPAC endorses mayoral candidates Jim Parrelly in Dearborn and Dan Paletko in Dearborn Heights
July 14th, 20171 DEARBORN — After a lengthy process, the Arab American Political Action Committee (AAPAC) endorsed candidates for various positions in Dearborn and Dearborn Heights' for the August 8 primary elections. For two days, the group interviewed candidates running for mayor and City Council in both cities, and for city clerk in Dearborn....
Councilman Tom Berry rescinds resignation
June 2nd, 20170 DEARBORN HEIGHTS — Dearborn Heights city councilman Tom Berry, who originally resigned from his position on May 16, decided to rescind his resignation. He spoke about his decision to finish the rest of his term at the May 23 council meeting. "I love this city…," he said. "I decided that maybe resigning today was not the most......
