By Nargis Rahman
Dearborn voters are heading to the poll on November 4 to choose between re-electing Mayor Abdullah Hammoud and Nagi Almudhegi, an IT professional who is running as an independent.
In this election, both candidates are Arab American Muslims, reflective of the city’s large Arab American community.
Residents will have to decide whether the current mayor can build on his work, or a new leader is needed to lead the city.
Abdullah Hammoud
Abdullah Hammoud, 35, was elected as the first Arab American Lebanese Muslim mayor of Dearborn in 2021.
“It was actually never about being the first,” he says. “With a different sounding name, regardless of the direction which you pray, can be elected here in the city of Dearborn… I think that’s the American dream,” he says.
Hammoud formerly served as a State Representative from 2017-2021, serving the 15th district, which included Dearborn.
Hammoud has a bachelor’s in biology from the University of Michigan – Dearborn, a Master of Public Health and Epidemiology, Genetics from the University of Michigan Arbor and a Master of Business Administration from the Ross School of Business focused on finance and entrepreneurship.
“Running for mayor is about wanting to uplift the entirety of the community, ensuring that it’s a place that my children, when they grow up, also see themselves raising a family here,” he says.
Hammoud says all issues are important to Dearborn voters, but speeding and reckless driving are top of mind for residents.
“This is a top concern you’re hearing not only the city of Dearborn, but really all across the country,” he shares.
In the summer of 2021, Hammoud was instrumental in organizing volunteers to clean up Dearborn homes following the catastrophic floods during his bid for mayor.
Last month the city shared results of the OHM Advisors’ study on flood infrastructure and stormwater management systems. The city has spent $25 million in flood infrastructure and stormwater management since 2022, with hopes to secure $400 million for long-term projects.
Hammoud says he hopes to continue the work in another term for mayor.
“It’s my hope that we’ve demonstrated that we have been able to make progress over these last four years, and we’re running for another term to continue on that progress, to continue to uplift the families in all four corners of the city, to improve their quality of life,” he says.
Hammoud says he hopes people understand, “regardless of who is Mayor, the administration the council, have to continually invest in updating our stormwater infrastructure system to make it more climate resilient.”
During Hammoud’s time in office, the city spent $30 million in parks and green spaces through ARPA funds and grants.
He says parks create safe space for families in Dearborn.
“I think it’s also extremely important to invest in places where children, where parents can get a break,” he says.
Hammoud, who has a background in public health, created the Dearborn Department of Public Health in April 2022, which serves as a, “think tank advising each and every single department across the city about how to think with a public health mindset.”
The department tracks air quality, provides free Narcan machines, and identifies city polluters, many of whom have been sued by the city for violations.
The city is also working on the Dearborn Industrial Green Belt, “to build a giant green buffer between the industrialized parcels in the south end and the residential neighborhoods,” he says.
When it comes to crime, Hammoud says his administration has shifted its focus to moving violations, reducing traffic accidents and the number of tickets being issued to Black and African American drivers by half.
“It is now down to about 23 to 25% which is the average day to day population, Black population here in the city of Dearborn,” he says.
He says the city is also piloting a mental health response model.
When it comes to business, Hammoud says there have been 100 ribbon cutting ceremonies this year.
“Entrepreneurship, small businesses, is the backbone of our city,” he says.
The city has received a $25 million federal grant to upgrade Warren Avenue. The city hosts a night of innovation to award businesses with funding through a pitch competition.
Hammoud says many of the funds come from the Department of Philanthropy and Grants.
“Within these first four years, we’re able to bring in over $100 million,” he says.
Hammoud says he serves everyone in the city, reflective in, “the most diverse administration in the city’s history.”
Hammoud says transparency is a key factor of his administration. He says people from his team attend neighborhood association meetings and do city walks to connect with residents.
He says residents know how to reach him.
“I think everybody can tell you that they either have my phone number, know how to get a hold of me, or they’re engaging even with our staff and personnel via social media, which traditionally has not happened,” he says.
NAGI ALMUDHEGI
Nagi Almudhegi, 50, is an IT professional who has been living in Dearborn for the past 45 years.
He immigrated from Yemen when he was 6-years-old, attending Dearborn schools. He graduated from Fordson High School. He has a Chemical Engineering degree from the University of Michigan Ann Arbor.
“I’ve worked for the last 30 years as an engineer and in many different corporations, from startups to international companies like GM, which helped me basically grow into the person that I am,” he says.
Almudhegi, is running as an independent, due to his love of the city.
“I see the direction of Dearborn deteriorating. We’re more divided than ever before,” he says.
Almudhegi says safety is a major concern, especially reckless driving.
“Many people have told me they don’t even drive on Ford Road anymore. They try to avoid it like the plague,” he says.
Almudhegi says tougher laws are needed to tackle reckless driving.
“I’m in favor of getting you under control and making sure that people know if you’re going to be on the road, you have to stay safe, or we’re going to throw the full extent of the of the law to get it under control,” he says.
Almudhegi says flooding continues to be an issue for Dearborn residents.
“We spend a lot of money in government, but we don’t see any results,” he says.
Almudhegi says the flooding problem has not been fixed. He says the report on flooding mitigation in the city should have been completed sooner.
“I would not wait if I were mayor right now. What I would have done exactly within the first six months of getting into office, I would have issued a report,” he says.
Almudhegi says reducing drug addiction in the city is another priority.
He proposes to create more youth programs to keep them engaged.
“When you’re more active, when you’re more social with people, it reduces the anxiety, it reduces the stress level. So I want to have more programs for the youth… they’re our future,” he says.
He always wants them to be engaged in sports, by having indoor soccer fields within the city, and volunteering.
Almudhegi says he likes bringing people together.
He wants people to get more involved, working with the city, nonprofits and faith-based organizations.
“It’s going to be a multi-faceted approach,” he says.
Almudhegi says city services have diminished over the years, but he will bring his problem solving to the office to, “measure ourselves every step of the way.”
He believes in a fiscally responsible government.
“We’re going to work on we have amongst the highest property taxes in the state, but we don’t have the services that we have that we need to have,” he says.
Almudhegi says he wants to make Dearborn an entrepreneurial and innovation hub by hosting pitch competitions in Dearborn every year.
He also wants to create a $1 million dollar internship program for youth to gain real world experience, “so that they can excel as they start their careers.”
Almudhegi, who is Yemeni, says he represents everyone.
“Dearborn is a Lebanese city. It’s a Yemeni city. It’s an Iraqi city, Palestinian, Italian, everything else, but above all… it’s an American city,” he says.
Almudhegi says it’s important to treat people with respect, “irrespective of who they are,” regardless of faith or race.
“Every single resident here is welcome in the city of Dearborn, and I’m going to work to make sure that every single resident has the best services,” he says.
Dearborn early voting begins Oct. 25-Nov. 2nd.
The general election takes place Tuesday, Nov. 4th.
