Abdullah Hammoud
Abdullah H. Hammoud (Arabic: عبدالله حمود; born March 19, 1990) is a Lebanese American politician serving as the 7th mayor of Dearborn, Michigan, since 2022. A member of the Democratic Party, Hammoud had previously served in the Michigan House of Representatives, representing the 15th district from 2017 to 2021.[1][2]
Abdullah H. Hammoud | |
|---|---|
| عبدالله حمود | |
| Mayor of Dearborn | |
| Assumed office January 1, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | John B. O'Reilly Jr. |
| Member of the Michigan House of Representatives from the 15th district | |
| In office January 1, 2017 – December 29, 2021 | |
| Preceded by | George Darany |
| Succeeded by | Jeffrey Pepper |
| Personal details | |
| Pronunciation | Eb-dull-uh Ham-mood |
| Born | March 19, 1990 Dearborn, Michigan, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | |
Hammoud is the first Arab-American, Lebanese American and first Muslim mayor of Dearborn as well as the second youngest mayor in the city’s history.[3] His election is considered historic as the city is home to one of the largest Middle Eastern and Muslim populations per capita in the United States.[4]
Early life and education edit
Hammoud was born in Dearborn, Michigan, to a Lebanese Shia Muslim family.[5] His dad worked as a truck driver and his mom, who had not completed high school, pursued an education and became a small business owner.[6] He earned a Bachelor of Science in biology from the University of Michigan, Dearborn, a Master of Public Health in epidemiology and genetics from the University of Michigan, and a Master of Business Administration from the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan.[7]
Michigan House of Representatives edit
At 26, then a healthcare advisor at the Henry Ford Health System, Hammoud decided to run for office after his older brother unexpectedly died.[5] Hammoud defeated Republican nominee Terrance Guido Gerin, a WWE professional wrestler, in the general election by a margin of 61-38%.[1] Upon his election, Hammoud became the first Arab American and Muslim to represent the 15th district.[8]
Tenure edit
Hammoud backed Senator Bernie Sanders in the 2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries.[9]
When President Joe Biden visited a Ford factory in Dearborn during the 2021 Israel–Palestine crisis, Hammoud gave him a letter calling for a ceasefire and a re-evaluation of the Israel–United States relationship.[10]
Mayor of Dearborn edit
2021 campaign edit
On January 25, 2021, Hammoud announced he would run for Mayor of Dearborn.[11][12] Election night results on the August 3rd primary showed him in first with 50% followed by Susan Dabaja with 15.6% and Tom Tafelski with 13.5%. Hammoud finished first and he advanced to a November 2 general election against Gary Woronchak.[13][14] In the November election, Hammoud won the race for mayor, making him the first Arab American and first Muslim mayor of Dearborn.[4] His term began January 1, 2022.[15]
Tenure edit
One of Hammoud's first actions as mayor was to establish a local health department. Dearborn became the first city in Michigan to do so voluntarily. Hammoud reformed the city's police force by eliminating policies prohibiting beards, tattoos and loose hair in an effort to increase diversity and by instructing officers to focus on dangerous traffic violations rather than pretextual stops. Hammoud credits these reforms as having led to a 50 percent decrease in the proportion of tickets issued to Black drivers and a 10 percent decrease in the number of car accidents in the city.[16]
Hammoud has also pushed for investments in water and sewer infrastructure as well as investments in parks and green spaces and a reduction of parking minimums for new development as part of a flood mitigation strategy for the city, which was heavily impacted by flooding in 2019 and 2021.[16]
In 2024, Hammoud declined an invitation to meet with Biden campaign officials prior to the 2024 United States presidential election, due to the Biden administration's stance on the Israel-Hamas war. Explaining his decision on X, Hammoud wrote "I will not entertain conversations about elections while we watch a live-streamed genocide backed by our government."[17]
Personal life edit
He is married to Fatima Beydoun, a doctor.[11] She is a Shia Muslim.
References edit
- ^ a b Raven, Benjamin (November 9, 2016). "WWE's Rhyno gored by Abdullah Hammoud in Dearborn state House race". MLive.com. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
- ^ "News From Rep. Hammoud". housedems.com. Retrieved November 11, 2018.
- ^ https://www.pressandguide.com/2022/02/16/salina-students-interview-dearborn-mayor-abdullah-hammoud/
- ^ a b Warikoo, Niraj (2021-11-03). "Abdullah Hammoud elected first Arab American mayor of Dearborn". Detroit Free Press. from the original on 2021-11-03. Retrieved 2021-11-03.
- ^ a b Elbaba, Rawan (September 21, 2017). "Rep. Abdullah Hammoud Is Breaking down Stereotypes in Michigan's Legislature". Teen Vogue. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
- ^ "The Unexpected Politician". May 15, 2017. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
- ^ Zadikian, John (July 6, 2021). "Election 2021: Dearborn mayoral candidate profiles: Abdullah Hammoud". Dearborn Press and Guide. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
- ^ Najm, Zeinab (December 15, 2016). "Hammoud set to become first Muslim to represent Dearborn in Legislature". Downriver Sunday Times. Times-Herald Newspapers. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
- ^ Mauger, Craig (February 27, 2020). "Michigan House Democratic floor leader backs Sanders". The Detroit News. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
- ^ Abbas, Hassan (May 19, 2021). "Abdullah Hammoud talks of his interaction with Biden in Dearborn, handing him letter on Palestine". The Arab American News. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
- ^ a b Abbas, Hassan (January 25, 2021). "Abdullah Hammoud announces campaign for Dearborn mayor". The Arab American News. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
- ^ Suchyta, Sue (January 29, 2021). "Hammoud announces run for Dearborn mayor". Dearborn Times-Herald. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
- ^ "City of Dearborn August 3 Primary Election Results". WDET.
- ^ Hicks, Mary (August 3, 2021). "Hammoud takes early lead in Dearborn mayoral primary". The Detroit News. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
- ^ Gibbons, Lauren (December 4, 2021). "Whitmer sets special election dates for vacant state House seats". MLive. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
- ^ a b Crampton, Liz (2023-09-20). "Abdullah Hammoud is the first Arab American, Muslim mayor of Michigan's fastest-growing city". POLITICO. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
- ^ "'Not welcome here': Arab leaders cancel Dearborn meeting with Biden campaign manager". The Detroit News. Retrieved 2024-01-26.