Loading ...New Michigan state rep Abdullah Hammoud is first Arab American Muslim to occupy seat
By Andrea Blum
Press & Guide
The chance to represent his hometown in state government is a natural progression in Abdullah Hammoud’s life.
The 26-year-old is firmly entrenched in Dearborn — having been born and raised there, attending its schools and beginning his career there.
“I was born and raised in Dearborn and the city gave me everything,” Hammoud said. “My parents were immigrants and small business owners in the city. I’m about as Dearborn as you can be.”
He was sworn into office Jan. 11 as state representative for the 15th District, which comprises most of the city of Dearborn, and is the first Arab American Muslim to hold the seat.
He sees serving as state representative as a way to give back to the community that has provided him with so much.
“It’s an opportunity to influence the generation after me,” Hammoud said. “To give my brothers and sisters and my children more than I had.”
The son of immigrant parents, Hammoud attended McDonald Elementary School, Woodworth Middle School and Fordson High School. He’s been committed to serving the community for more than a decade as a volunteer, advocate, and community activist.
He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan-Dearborn and his master’s degree in public health from U of M-Ann Arbor. After working for three years as a health care consultant in Michigan, he felt a need to serve the international community, which led him to serve as a volunteer with the United Nations Relief and Work Agency.
In 2014, he was nominated and elected as the youngest board member for the Michigan League of Conservation Voters, where he has worked to protect Michigan’s land, air and water. As a national and state health policy expert, he most recently worked as a professional health care adviser for Henry Ford Health System and Health Alliance Plan.
He fills the seat vacated by former state Rep. George Darany, who he said has been an important mentor to him, along with state Sen. David Knezek (D-Dearborn Heights).
“They’ve provided me with the lay of the land,” he said, adding that the mood since he arrived in Lansing has been very cordial. “Everyone is still in that bipartisan mood. We’ll see what happens when bills begin to be introduced. So far, nothing has really happened to test the waters.”
Hammoud took the oath of office Dec. 21 during a swearing-in ceremony at the Henry Ford Centennial Library in Dearborn. The oath was administered by Michigan Supreme Court Justice Brian Zahra.
He announced his run for office three months after the death of his older brother, who he cites as his inspiration.
“Among an ocean of lessons about making people laugh, living to the fullest, and staying true to who you are, my brother, Ali, taught me how to be a thoughtful advocate for others,” he said. “I had the opportunity to put into action all that he instilled in me.”
On what would’ve been his late brother’s 29th birthday, Hammoud took his oath with his hand laying on the Quran gifted to his family after his brother’s passing.
“This is about putting the values he instilled in me to work — speaking out for what’s right and working tirelessly to get the job done.”
Hammoud is the only Muslim in the 110-member legislature and said he can give voice to not only that segment of the community but also to all residents.
“When I ran for office, I ran as Dearborn’s candidate — not as an Arab or Muslim candidate,” he said, “but that’s what I’m bringing up there with me. I am someone from that community and for that community wholeheartedly.”
But as an Arab American, Hammoud said he can provide insight on issues such as immigration.
“At the end of the day, we all care about the same issues across the board — healthcare, education, the economy and the environment,” he said.
Among his priorities in Lansing are health care access and affordability, clean air and water reforms, small business protections and support for public education.
“I’ll be focusing on many things — certainly my background in health — but the first bills I introduced are about trying to bring about automatic voter registration,” he said. “I’m planning a few more around education and will have more information as soon as the details are hashed out.”
He’s already started making a difference in Lansing by introducing his first two bills.
The first, House Bill 4035, is part of a bill package to allow no-reason absentee voting and automatic voter registration in Michigan. The sponsors of the other bills in the package are Reps. Robert Wittenberg (D-Oak Park) and Jim Ellison (D-Royal Oak).
“These bills are the first of many to bring more transparency and accountability to our elections, and to increase voter access,” Hammoud said.
The next, House Bill 4036, would increase campaign transparency by always requiring disclosure (“paid for by” remarks) for campaign advertisements, such as robocalls. “Many residents, in Dearborn and across the state, have been frustrated by this issue,” he said. “It is ridiculous that sponsors are currently able to make robocalls, often times filled with negativity, anonymously.”
Under current law, the disclosure period is 60 days before a general election or 30 days before a primary election.
“I think Michigan does very poorly when it comes to campaign finance transparency,” he said, adding that it would be particularly beneficial in cities like Dearborn where negative campaigning has been an issue. “This would do away with the disclosure window for campaign advertisements.”
