The Arab American Institute proudly recognizes Arab Americans running for elected office across the country. From local school boards, to the United States House of Representatives, Arab Americans are serving their communities and our country in innumerable capacities. Head over to our Roster of Arab Americans in Public Service and Political Life for a list of those currently in office.
2016 Arab American Candidates
| Name | State | Running for | District | Election Date | Result |
| Matt Heinz | AZ | U.S. House of Representatives | 2 |
Primary: 8/30/16 General: 11/8/16 |
Won Primary Election |
| Chris Chahinian | CA | California State House of Representatives | 25 | Primary: 6/7/16
General: 11/8/16 |
Lost Primary Election
|
| Nick Dibs | CA | Garden Grove Unified School District Area 1 Trustee | - | General: 11/8/16 |
Lost Election
|
| Basim Elkarra | CA | Twin Rivers School Board | 5 | Primary: 6/7/16
|
Won Election
|
| Darrell Issa | CA | U.S. House of Representatives | 49 | Primary: 6/7/16
General: 11/8/16 |
Won Primary Election
|
| James Kaddo | CA | Los Angeles Superior Court Judge | - | Primary: 6/7/16
General: 11/8/16 |
Won Primary Election
|
| Johnny Khamis | CA | San Jose City Council | 10 | Primary: 6/7/16
General: 11/8/16 |
Won Primary Election
|
| Naser "Nas" Khoury | CA | Los Angeles Superior Court Judge | - | Primary: 6/7/16
General: 11/8/16 |
Lost Primary Election
|
| Joe Shammas | CA | California State House of Representatives | 29 | Primary: 6/7/16
General: 11/8/16 |
Lost Primary Election
|
| Tony Khoury | FL | U.S. Senate | - |
General: 11/8/16
|
|
| Mark J. Hashem | HI | Hawaii State House of Representatives | - | Primary: 8/13/16
General: 11/8/16 |
Won Primary Election |
| Darin LaHood | IL | U.S. House of Representatives | 18 | Primary: 3/15/16
General: 11/8/16 |
Won Primary Election |
| Ralph Abraham | LA | U.S. House of Representatives | 5 | Primary: none
General: 11/8/16 |
|
| Charles Boustany | LA | U.S. Senate | - | Primary: none
General: 11/8/16 |
|
| Garrett Graves | LA | U.S. House of Representatives | 6 | Primary: none
General: 11/8/16 |
|
| Helen Abdallah Donohue | MA | Norwood, MA Board of Selectmen | - | Primary: 4/4/16
General: 11/8/16 |
Won Primary Election
|
| David Hajjar | MA | Norwood, MA Board of Selectmen | - | Primary: 4/4/16
General: 11/8/16 |
Lost Primary Election
|
| Ismael Ahmed | MI | Michigan State Board of Education |
General: 11/8/16 |
Won Primary Election
|
|
| Justin Amash | MI | U.S. House of Representatives | 3 | Primary: 8/2/16
General: 11/8/16 |
Won Primary Election
|
| Abbie Bazzi | MI | Dearborn Judge | - | Primary: 8/2/16
General: 11/8/16 |
Lost Primary Election
|
| Hussein Berry | MI | Dearborn School Board |
|
General: 11/8/16 |
|
| Nadia Berry | MI | Crestwood School Board |
|
General: 11/8/16 |
|
| Susan Dabaja | MI | Dearborn Judge | - | Primary: 8/2/16
General: 11/8/16 |
Won Primary Election
|
| Khodr Farhat | MI | Dearborn School Board | - | Primary: none
General: 11/8/16 |
|
| Abdullah Hammoud | MI | Michigan State House of Representatives | 15 | Primary: 8/2/16
General: 11/8/16 |
Won Primary Election
|
| Fadwa Hammoud | MI | Dearborn School Board | - | Primary: none
General: 4/5/16 |
|
| Adel Mozip | MI | Dearborn School Board | - | Primary: none
General: 4/5/16 |
|
| Paul Sophiea | MI | Michigan State House of Representatives | 15 | Primary: 8/2/16
General: 11/8/16 |
Lost Primary Election
|
| Jacklin Zeidan | MI | Michigan State House of Representatives | 15 | Primary: 8/2/16
General: 4/5/16 |
Lost Primary Election
|
| Dr. Hala Asamarai | MN | Columbia Heights School Board | 13 | Primary: 2/9/16
General: 4/5/16 |
Won Primary Election
|
| Ilhan Omar | MN | State House of Representatives | 60B | Primary: 2/9/16
General: 4/5/16 |
Won Primary Election
|
| Richard Ashooh | NH | U.S. House of Representatives | 1 |
Primary: 9/13/16 General: 11/8/16 |
Lost Primary Election |
| Chris Sununu | NH | Governor of New Hampshire | - |
Primary: 9/13/16 General: 11/8/16 |
Won Primary Election |
| Al Abdelaziz | NJ | City of Patterson City Council | 6 |
General: 5/10/16 |
Lost General Election
|
| Andre Sayegh | NJ | City of Patterson City Council | 6 |
General: 5/10/16 |
Won General Election
|
| Ruben Kihuen | NV | U.S. House of Representatives | 4 | Primary: 6/14/16
General: 11/8/16 |
Won Primary Election
|
| Jesse Sbaih | NV | U.S. House of Representatives | 3 | Primary: 6/14/16
General: 11/8/16 |
Lost Primary
|
| Sherry Miday | OH | Common Please Court Judge | - | Primary: 3/15/16
General: 11/8/16 |
Unopposed Primary
|
| Thomas Lazieh | RI | Central Falls City Council | 5th | General: 11/8/16 |
Won Election |
| Michael Saba | SD | South Dakota State House of Representatives | 9 | Primary: 6/7/16
General: 11/8/16 |
Unopposed Primary
|
And.....there are already Arab Americans announced as 2017 Candidates
Contact Kristin McCarthy to add additional Arab American candidates.
See candidates and election results from past years:
r
Latest News about Arab Americans on the Ballot
The past term the Supreme Court took on a number of important election-related cases. Several of these decisions have major implications for how Americans can vote and how districts can be created for the upcoming midterm elections and beyond. Discussed below are each of the Court’s holdings in the following...
Countdown Vol. 17 No. 23: The Worst is Yet to Come
DREAMers Countdown: It’s been 247 days since President Trump moved to end DACA. The courts did step in to block the move, but Congress has yet to provide a permanent fix.
Contact: Jennifer Salan, Arab American Institute jsalan@aaiusa.org or 202-429-9210 (desk) 202-494-9857 cell For Immediate Release: February 16, 2018 Arab American Institute Response to DOJ Indictments on Election Meddling & Social Media Responsibility Official Statement from AAI Executive Director Maya Berry (Washington) The following is a statement from Arab American Institute Executive Director Maya Berry...
Retirement Party
by Hanna Saba The 2018 midterm elections are a year away and members of Congress–Republicans in particular—are deciding they want no part of it. Thus far, 12 Republicans in the House and two in the Senate have announced that they plan to retire from Congress at the beginning of 2019. Three...
