Abdullah Hammoud | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Mayor of Dearborn | |
| Assumed office January 1, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | John B. O'Reilly Jr. |
| Member of the Michigan House of Representatives from the 15th district | |
| In office January 1, 2017 – December 29, 2021 | |
| Preceded by | George Darany |
| Succeeded by | Jeffrey Pepper |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 19, 1990 Dearborn, Michigan, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | University of Michigan, Dearborn (BS) University of Michigan (MPH, MBA) |
Abdullah Hammoud (Arabic: عبدلله حمود; born March 19, 1990) is an American politician serving as the 7th mayor of Dearborn, Michigan since 2022. A member of the Democratic Party, Hammoud had previously served in the Michigan House of Representatives, representing the 15th district from 2017 to 2021.[1][2]
Hammoud is the first Arab-American and first Muslim mayor of Dearborn as well as the second youngest mayor in the city’s history.[3] His election is considered historic as the city is home to one of the largest Middle Eastern and Muslim populations per capita in the United States.[4]
Hammoud was born in Dearborn, Michigan, to a Lebanese Shia Muslim family.[5] His dad worked as a truck driver and his mom, who had not completed high school, pursued education then became a small business owner.[6] He earned a Bachelor of Science in biology from the University of Michigan, Dearborn, a Master of Public Health in epidemiology and genetics from the University of Michigan, and a Master of Business Administration from the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan.[7]
At 26, then a healthcare advisor at the Henry Ford Health System, Hammoud decided to run for office after his older brother unexpectedly died.[5] Hammoud defeated Republican nominee Terrance Guido Gerin, a WWE professional wrestler, in the general election by a margin of 61-38%.[1] Upon his election, Hammoud became the first Arab American and Muslim to represent the 15th district.[8]
Hammoud backed Senator Bernie Sanders in the 2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries.[9]
When President Joe Biden visited a Ford factory in Dearborn during the 2021 Israel–Palestine crisis, Hammoud gave him a letter calling for a ceasefire and a re-evaluation of the Israel–United States relationship.[10]
On January 25, 2021, Hammoud announced he would run for Mayor of Dearborn.[11][12] Election night results on the August 3rd primary showed him in first with 50% followed by Susan Dabaja with 15.6% and Tom Tafelski with 13.5%. Hammoud finished first and he advanced to a November 2 general election against Gary Woronchak.[13][14] In the November election, Hammoud won the race for mayor, making him the first Arab American and first Muslim mayor of Dearborn.[4] His term began January 1, 2022.[15]
He is married to Fatima Beydoun, a doctor.[11] He is a Shia Muslim.
