Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud kicks off reelection campaign: The city is 'thriving'

Yahoo

16-05-2025

Speaking to hundreds of supporters in a new park, Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud kicked off his reelection campaign by touting his administration's accomplishments, saying the city is thriving with development while keeping taxes low.
"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."
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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.
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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: [e-mail] or X @nwarikoo
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud kicks off reelection campaign