Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud kicks off reelection campaign: The city is 'thriving'
"I am most proud of being a Dearborn resident," Hammoud, 35, told the crowd Thursday, May 15, at Peace Park West, which opened last year. "There's nothing I'm more proud of. I think Dearborn is the greatest city, and we have the greatest story."
The park that Hammoud spoke at, located in the western part of the city, is one of three being built with a $29 million grant, an example of the city's accomplishments, he said. Hammoud has often mentioned public health and the environment as key issues for him. Dearborn has about 110,000 residents and one of the youngest populations in the country, according to census data.
"Three and a half years ago, this was two acres of rubble and debris," Hammoud said, referring to Peace Park West, which features a plaza and greenery. "And now this is ... demonstrating the resilience of the infrastructure that we're putting out."
He also touted $30 million in investments along Warren Avenue in east Dearborn and developments in the south end of Dearborn. Much of his five-minute talk focused on business development and investments.
"We have a thriving business community, not only in west Dearborn, but also in east Dearborn," the mayor said.
Unlike other cities, Dearborn depends on its residents and local small businesses to develop, Hammoud said.
"Other cities lean on billionaires from out of state to come in and redevelop their parcels," Hammoud said. "We lean on one another. That is unique to the Dearborn story."
More: Expectant mothers in Dearborn to get $4,500, mayor announces in State of the City
Hammoud said "there's nothing that we love more than locals as the ones who are leading in the investments."
Hammoud, a former State House representative, was elected in 2021 amid anger among residents over the city's poor response to flooding and other infrastructure issues. Over the past two years, Hammoud has gained national recognition for his outspoken support of Palestinians. He leads a city where 55% of the residents have Arab ancestry, the highest percentage among all cities in the U.S.
But Hammoud did not talk about foreign policy issues at the campaign event, focusing on local matters.
"We have the lowest tax millage rate since 2010 with hopefully more relief to come in the next five to six years," Hammoud said.
He also stressed unity and the importance of diversity.
"This is one Dearborn, one community, and we got to be unified in that respect," he said." If you look to your left and look to your right, you realize that Dearborn is as diverse and beautiful as it's ever been, and it's growing in diversity each and every single day."
The mayor's remarks were not as extensive as those he made in April during his State of the City address. The kickoff a more casual event, with vendors offering free pizza, coffee and ice cream as people strolled and chatted before and after his brief remarks. Hammoud posed for photos with attendees, chatting with them during the 90-minute gathering near the downtown area of west Dearborn.
More: Clerk: For first time in city's history, Dearborn won't have a primary election
Hammoud faces a challenge from Nagi Almudhegi, 50, an IT manager backed by Republican leaders who became known in 2022 after speaking out against LGBTQ+ books in Dearborn public schools. Almudhegi launched his campaign in February. The two candidates are expected to compete against each other in November since there won't be an August primary due to a lack of candidates.
Hammoud has faced criticism from some conservatives for his earlier support of LGBTQ+ rights. In remarks at a Dearborn mosque in February, Hammoud sought to clarify a statement he released in 2022 in support of the LGBTQ+ community, saying he doesn't endorse any lifestyle that may conflict with his family values, but added that "what you do in your own household is between you and Allah (God)."
Republicans won in the heavily-Arab precincts of Dearborn in the November presidential election, especially in the south end. Hammoud is a Democrat, but did not endorse anyone in the presidential election.
Almudhegi, born in Yemen, has some support among the Yemeni American community, who are trying to gain political power in the city. But several Yemeni American leaders attended Hammoud's event, taking photos with him and saying they strongly endorse him.
"I've been living in the south end for 50 years," said Mohamed Saeed Abdulla, executive director of the Yemeni American Association. "No one cared for the south end like (Mayor) Abdullah Hammoud. Nobody. They bring new programs. ... They spend millions."
Hammoud has fought polluters in the south end and announced a plan to bring green landscapes and parks to the heavily industrial area that sits near the Ford Rouge plant.
Abdulla said "you have to give (Hammoud) a chance to continue."
"Mayor Hammoud has done an unbelievable job for Dearborn," said Wali Altahif. "We've been waiting for a mayor for all of Dearborn residents. ... He is full of energy, he listens, he's an independent thinker."
The campaign event was attended by a number of city and elected officials, including City Council President Michael Sareini, who's also running for reelection. Sareini said Hammoud has done a solid job in managing the city's budgets. Hammoud came into office after voters rejected a millage that would have raised $16 million.
"And we didn't lose one officer on the street or one fireman," Sareini said. "The mayor has been able to centralize a lot of cost restructuring ... with his experience as a State Rep. and getting grant dollars, the last count is over $150 million (in) grants to the city. So he's done a tremendous job. I love his vision ... I'm very pleased with the direction of the city and where we're at right now and where we're going."
Also on the ballot this year are two candidates running for city clerk, including incumbent Clerk George Darany, and 13 candidates running for 7 council seats. The mayor's base annual salary as of 2024 was $168,775; the clerk's salary was $108,018; council president was at $19,620, and other members of city council earn $16,333 a year, with $100 stipend per meeting, according to a report by the local officials compensation commission.
Contact Niraj Warikoo: nwarikoo@freepress.com or X @nwarikoo
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud kicks off reelection campaign
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNN
6 hours ago
- CNN
Fact checking Trump's claims on the jobs report
Fact checking Trump's claims on the jobs report CNN's Matt Egan explains how President Trump's unprecedented decision to fire the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics is a 'shoot-the-messenger' approach that will cause doubts about future economic numbers. 01:57 - Source: CNN Automated CNN Shorts 10 videos Fact checking Trump's claims on the jobs report CNN's Matt Egan explains how President Trump's unprecedented decision to fire the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics is a 'shoot-the-messenger' approach that will cause doubts about future economic numbers. 01:57 - Source: CNN Desperation grows in Gaza as aid is airdropped CNN footage on Monday captured the desperation of hundreds of Palestinians in central Gaza as people rushed towards aid boxes that many rely on, as the hunger crisis continues. Six countries were involved in dropping 120 aid packages in total, according to the Israel Defense Forces. 00:34 - Source: CNN Passengers rush to evacuate smoke-filled train Video shows passengers rushing to evacuate a smoke-filled PATH train in New Jersey. Thirteen people were treated for smoke inhalation and 9 were transported to the hospital, according to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. 00:24 - Source: CNN 'I thought, do or die': How a Ukrainian soldier cycled to safety after Russian assault After a Russian assault left all three of his fellow soldiers dead and himself wounded, Andriy, stationed near Siversk, Ukraine, thought his life was over. But back at his command bunker, they hatched a plan. Armed with determination, a will to live - and a bike - he was able to escape. CNN's Nick Paton Walsh reports. 01:12 - Source: CNN Sean 'Diddy' Combs' ex petitions judge for his release Virginia Huynh, who goes by 'Gina,' is an ex-girlfriend of Sean 'Diddy' Combs. The prosecution planned to have her testify against him in his criminal case, but she mysteriously dropped out days before the trial began. CNN's Elizabeth Wagmeister reports on Huynh's past comments alleging assault by Combs and the details in her letter to the judge. 02:15 - Source: CNN AI puts pressure on recent college grads' first job search From resume bots to automated hiring systems, AI is complicating the job search for recent college grads. The Wall Street Journal's Lindsay Ellis tells CNN's Audie Cornish about the challenges young professionals are facing. 02:01 - Source: CNN 'Out of his mind': Jeffries responds to Gov. Abbott's threats Texas House Democrats left the state to try and block a partisan redrawing of the state's congressional map by Republicans, with the support of President Donald Trump. In response, Gov. Greg Abbott (R) threatened to remove lawmakers who don't show up when the state House convenes today. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) discusses the Texas redistricting controversy with CNN's Wolf Blitzer. 00:59 - Source: CNN NY governor vows retaliation after TX GOP's redistricting move Texas House Democrats left the state to try and block an aggressively partisan redrawing of the state's congressional map orchestrated by Republicans with the support of President Donald Trump. New York Governor Kathy Hochul (D) held a press conference with some of the Democrats who left Texas and vowed to retaliate by redistricting New York's congressional map. 00:30 - Source: CNN Moscow residents on Trump-Putin relationship As the relationship between President Trump and President Putin continues to deteriorate, with Trump threatening harsher sanctions on Russia if a ceasefire agreement with Ukraine is not reached, CNN's Frederik Pleitgen talks to Moscow residents about their thoughts on the tensions between the two countries. 02:02 - Source: CNN Texas governor warns Democrats who left state Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) threatened to remove Democrats from the state House if they don't return by 3 PM today. Texas House Democrats left the state to try and block an aggressively partisan redrawing of the state's congressional map orchestrated by Republicans with the support of President Donald Trump. 01:16 - Source: CNN
Politico
6 hours ago
- Politico
'You see your child dying before your eyes, and you can't do anything'
The footage of the Israeli hostages has stirred condemnation. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was 'very shocked' by the videos and 'this unacceptable violation of human dignity,' U.N. deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said. The videos were released as international experts say a 'worst-case scenario of famine' is unfolding in the coastal territory, where Israel's offensive has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians and made it nearly impossible to safely deliver food and other humanitarian aid. Images of starving Palestinians have drawn international condemnation of Israel's conduct. Families of the hostages fear that the lack of food threatens the remaining hostages, too. Fewer than half of the 50 remaining hostages are believed to be alive, the rest either killed during the October 2023 attack or while in captivity. Netanyahu said he was shocked by the images of the two hostages and met with the Red Cross to ask that it bring hostages food and medicine — access that the organization says has never been granted by Hamas. 'When I see these, I understand exactly what Hamas wants,' Netanyahu said on Sunday. 'They do not want a deal. They want to break us using these videos of horror.' The International Committee of the Red Cross said it was 'appalled by the harrowing videos' and called for access to the hostages. Hamas said it is ready to respond 'positively' to Red Cross requests to deliver food to hostages, if humanitarian corridors for aid deliveries are opened in a 'regular and permanent manner' in Gaza. It denied starving the hostages, saying they suffer from the same hunger as ordinary Palestinians. Braslavski said that in the video of his son, the captors appear to be well-fed. 'This hunger is on purpose, you can see that,' he said. 'It's not because we're not letting aid go in.' Israel has requested an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council on the hostages, which will take place on Tuesday. Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said he will travel to New York for the meeting. Israel did not allow any food, medicine or other goods to enter Gaza from early March until mid-May, when it eased its blockade on the territory of some 2 million Palestinians. The United Nations says nearly 1,400 Palestinians have been killed while seeking aid since then, mostly by Israeli forces as crowds head toward aid sites run by an Israeli-backed American contractor. The Israeli military says it has only fired warning shots. Gaza's Health Ministry said Monday that five more Palestinian adults died of malnutrition-related causes in the past 24 hours. A total of 87 adults have died of malnutrition-related issues since the ministry started counting such deaths in late June, it said. Ninety-three children have died of malnutrition-related causes since the war in Gaza began, the ministry said. Israel's government has denied that people are starving to death in Gaza. About 1,200 people, mostly civilians, were killed in the Hamas attack on southern Israel that sparked the war, and another 251 were abducted. Israel's retaliatory military offensive has killed more than 60,900 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. The ministry, which doesn't distinguish between civilians and combatants in its count but says women and children make up over half the dead, is part of the Hamas government and staffed by medical professionals. The U.N. and other independent experts view its figures as the most reliable casualty count. Israel has disputed the figures but hasn't provided its own.
New York Post
8 hours ago
- New York Post
Palestinians' unrealistic two-state solution: Letters to the Editor — Aug. 5, 2025
The Issue: A two-state solution to the Israel-Hamas war which would establish Palestinian statehood. As Michael Goodwin points out so well, the true and only goal of Palestinians is the destruction of Israel ('Time to abandon '2-state delusion,' ' Aug. 3). The creation of what would be a jihadist state alongside Israel would pose an existential threat. Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas' vision of a two-state solution, including a Judenrein Palestinian state, would end Israel's existence as a Jewish state; this doesn't promise a peaceful Palestinian state that can coexist peacefully with Israel. Advertisement It is time, as Goodwin observed correctly, to bury the two-state delusion. Daniel Trigoboff Williamsville Advertisement It looks like Hamas is the one setting the terms for the end of hostilities. Propaganda pictures, plus media complicity, have the world crying for statehood for Palestinians. Hamas murdered over 1,200 innocents, took over 250 people hostage and people think statehood will make them peaceful. Sylvia Kane Advertisement Brooklyn Is the push by the current leaders of France, Britain and Canada for the establishment of a Palestinian state simply delusional, or is it born out of antisemitism? Gazans elected Hamas to lead them, which has been a total failure. The idea of a Palestinian state is utterly ignorant of history. Advertisement Jack Weinberg Manhattan There are dangers in a two-state solution, especially if there are no adequate military restrictions placed on the Palestinian state. However, opponents of the two-state solution have an obligation to propose an alternative which protects the rights and interests of both Jews and Arabs. In principle, everyone living in the current occupied territories should have equal political and civil rights to Israelis, although they may be expressed through different regional legislatures. Bruce Couchman Toronto, Ontario If I were the leader of a country, and I were asked whether I favor a two-state solution, my response would be: Yes, but don't ask me that question again until you show me proof that both states are willing to recognize the other. Currently, one side has solidified its position that the other state must be wiped off the face of the earth. So, until that has changed, we cannot consider the two-state solution. Advertisement Joseph Carbonaro Saratoga Springs Every morning, the NY POSTcast offers a deep dive into the headlines with the Post's signature mix of politics, business, pop culture, true crime and everything in between. Subscribe here! The Issue: Ghislaine Maxwell's move to the minimum-security 'Club Fed' prison in Texas. Ghislaine Maxwell's life of privilege continues with a transfer to a minimum security prison in Texas (' 'Max' to minimum,' Aug. 2). Advertisement No reason has been made public, and more importantly, the victims of her crimes were not notified. I hope someone is using the Freedom of Information Act to get more details. Her transfer coincided with a two-day deposition by the Department of Justice, making it even more important to know why it occurred. Is there a quid pro quo? If yes, it had better be a good one. Otherwise, there is no reason to make her life easier than those she damaged forever. Phil Serpico Advertisement Queens Why are President Trump and Justice Department officials doing everything possible to prevent the Epstein files from being released? Why don't they want Ghislaine Maxwell to provide the names of the powerful, very wealthy and influential pedophiles who paid Jeffrey Epstein to arrange for them to have sex with young girls? Advertisement And why was Maxwell quietly moved to the cushy 'Club Fed' prison as she pushed for a deal to tell all about Epstein and his well-known clients? Daniel Robinowitz Dallas, Texas Want to weigh in on today's stories? Send your thoughts (along with your full name and city of residence) to letters@ Letters are subject to editing for clarity, length, accuracy, and style.
