Attorney Eugene Hunt believes his diverse heritage is an important asset in his pursuit of the19th District Judge’s seat in Dearborn, Mich. Part Lebanese, part European, part Native American, Hunt see issues from a very broad range of perspectives. His grandmother immigrated to the U.S.A. in 1901 from Lebanon. Eugene is actually named after a Native American princess, Loda, which is his legal first name. Hunt’s Native American great grandmother read a book with a character named Loda and liked the name so much, she gave it to Eugene’s grandfather, who in turn also named Hunt’s father Loda. Today, Eugene Hunt represents the third generation of men in his family proudly named Loda.
Eugene Hunt came to Dearborn in 1962 with his family and is a graduate of William Ford Elementary, Woolworth Middle School and Fordson High School. He served in the U.S.Marine Corps and earned an honorable discharge. He then returned to Dearborn and resumed his education at Henry Ford Community College, University of Michigan – Dearborn and finally Wayne State University Law School. He graduated with honors, passed the bar exam and opened up a Dearborn practice now in its 31st year.
Hunt has practiced numerous types of law including divorce law, and focuses currently on criminal defense law. For the past 20 years, he has won the contract in Dearborn to represent all persons who cannot afford their own lawyer. As a result, he has handled at least 10,000 cases in the 19th District Court and has become a well-known presence in the court, the city and the legal community.
Eugene Hunt has been married to his wife Carol for 33 years. They have two daughters: one is an attorney in Manhattan, New York, and the other is married and lives locally. The Hunts are the actively involved grandparents of three wonderful grandchildren that bring them both much joy. Carol Hunt is a third-generation resident of the Dearborn community.
Eugene Hunt decided to run for judge now because throughout his career, so many have urged him to do so, based on his excellent record. He has never run before because he preferred not to run against an incumbent. Today, for the first time in Hunt’s legal career, that seat is open, and it seemed like the time was right.
“I am someone who does not get mad very often” says a very focused, direct Hunt, “and when I do get mad, it is because I see some injustice somewhere.”
From 7-9 a.m. Tuesday, May 3, Eugene Hunt will hold a fundraiser at Leon’s in Dearborn. A second fundraiser is set for 5:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 31, at La Pita in Dearborn.
To the Arab-American community, Eugene Hunt says: “Dearborn is a very diverse community. I will treat everyone the same. I will include everyone. I will listen to everyone. If there is a concern in the Arab-American and Yemeni communities that I can address I certainly will do that. My door will be open, my ears will be open. I will help anyone that I can, within the bounds of the law. I will be very inclusive.”
