Abdullah H. Hammoud (Arabic: عبدالله حمود; born March 19, 1990)[1] is an 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.[2][3]
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 | |
| 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.[4] 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.[5]
Early life and education
editHammoud was born in Dearborn, Michigan, to a Lebanese Shia Muslim family.[6] His father worked as a truck driver and his mother, who had not completed high school, further pursued her education and became a small-business owner.[7] Hammoud 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, Ann Arbor, and a Master of Business Administration from the Ross School of Business on the same campus.[8]
Michigan House of Representatives
editAt 26, then a healthcare advisor at the Henry Ford Health System, Hammoud decided to run for office after his older brother unexpectedly died.[6] Hammoud defeated Republican nominee Terrance Guido Gerin, a WWE professional wrestler, in the general election by a margin of 61% to 38%.[2] Upon his election, Hammoud became the first Arab American and Muslim to represent the 15th district.[9]
Tenure
editHammoud backed Senator Bernie Sanders in the 2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries.[10]
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.[11]
Mayor of Dearborn
edit2021 campaign
editOn January 25, 2021, Hammoud announced he would run for Mayor of Dearborn.[12][13] Election night results on the August 3 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.[14][15] In the November election, Hammoud won the race for mayor, making him the first Arab American and first Muslim mayor of Dearborn.[5] His term began January 1, 2022.[16]
Tenure
editOne of Hammoud's first actions as mayor of Dearborn was to establish a local health department. The city became the first in Michigan to set up such a department voluntarily. Hammoud also sought reforms to the city's police force, including the elimination of employment policies prohibiting beards, tattoos and loose hair, in an effort to increase diversity. In addition, he instructed officers to focus on dangerous traffic violations rather than stopping vehicles for suspicious activity. Hammoud credits his 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.[17]
Hammoud has also pushed for investments in water and sewer infrastructure, parks, and green spaces. He has also advocated a reduction in available parking requirements for new construction projects as part of a flood mitigation strategy for the city, which was heavily impacted by flooding in 2019 and 2021.[17]
Because of the Biden administration's stance on the Israel-Hamas war, Mayor Hammoud declined an invitation to meet with Biden campaign officials before the president's withdrawal from the 2024 US presidential race. 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."[18]
According to The Washington Post, Hammoud has been approached by Jill Stein, the Green Party USA's presidential nominee in both 2012 and 2016, to be her running mate in Stein's 2024 presidential bid. Hammoud, however, would not meet the age requirement for US vice presidents (35 years old by January 20, 2025, the date of the new president's inauguration), as required under the U.S. Constitution.[19]
Hammoud spoke at a Dearborn rally on the Israel-Gaza war on September 24, 2024, immediately following a speech by activist Osama Siblani. The two embraced as Hammoud joined Siblani on the stage. Siblani called for the "return [of Israelis] to Poland" and praised Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Hammoud did not address Siblani's respect for the Hezbollah leader or the crowd's calls of "death to Israel", nor did he respond to the local media's request for comment.[20][21]
Personal life
editHammoud is married to Fatima Beydoun, a physician.[12]
References
edit- ^ https://legislature.mi.gov/Home/GetObject?objectName=2017-MM-P0195-p0195 [bare URL]
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Salina students interview Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud". Press and Guide. 2022-02-16. Retrieved 2024-06-28.
- ^ a b Warikoo, Niraj (2021-11-03). "Abdullah Hammoud elected first Arab American mayor of Dearborn". Detroit Free Press. Archived 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. 3 August 2021.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Abutaleb, Yasmeen (June 5, 2024). "Jill Stein floats running mate slot to Dearborn, Mich., mayor". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
- ^ "US State Department Stands by Adviser Who Spoke at Pro-Hezbollah Rally", Newsrael, October 16, 2024
- ^ Osama Siblani (October 4, 2024), "Dearborn rally condemns Israeli aggression", Arab American News