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Democrats

We Are Democrats

Posted on Monday June 21, 2004

Nick Rahall’s seniority, leadership, and impressive legislative resume may make him the most visible Arab American Democrat in Congress, yet he is far from alone.

Congressman Chris John joined the Arab American delegation in 1996 representing Louisiana’s Seventh District and is running a strong race for Senate. Judge William Shaheen is a senior advisor to John Kerry’s presidential campaign and chaired his successful New Hampshire bid. James Zogby serves as co-convener of National Democratic Ethnic Leadership Council (NDELC) representing the organization on the DNC’s Executive Committee.

Arab American Democrats are contributing not only at the national level, but are leaders in state and local government as well. Former Congressman John Baldacci currently serves as the governor of Maine. Louisiana Attorney General Richard Leyoub was elected to his post with the highest number of votes in the state’s history. Jimmy Naifeh, who is running for reelection as speaker of the House of Representatives in Tennessee, has received so many awards for his service both inside and outside of the legislature that he has become a near-legendary figure in Volunteer State politics.

The nation’s first Arab American Muslim mayor, Abdul Haidous, is also the first mayor of Wayne, Michigan to be elected directly by the city’s residents. He was recently reelected with an impressive 79% of the vote. Theresa Isaac is the popular mayor of Lexington, Kentucky, and Michael Jarjura recently won reelection as mayor of Waterbury, Connecticut.

As president of the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO, William George defends the right of working men and women in the Keystone State. As president and co-founder of Common Sense About Kids and Guns, Victoria Reggie Kennedy, along with her husband Senator Edward Kennedy, work tirelessly to raise awareness about gun safety.

Several Arab Americans are making bids to represent their communities in the upcoming elections. Justin Nadeau is waging a strong campaign for Congress representing New Hampshire’s First District. Also in the Granite State, father/daughter team Benjamin Baroody and Susie Fortier have made public service a family affair. Baroody has served as State Representative for over 25 years, and is proud to have Fortier vying to join him in the State House.

Tim Sultan is running for a seat in the US House of Representatives representing Arizona’s Eighth District. In California, Ferial Masry received over 3,000 write-in votes to win her party’s nomination for State Assembly.

Michigan’s Arab American candidates include Anthony Abdallah for Sheriff and Ted Wahby for reelection as Macomb County Treasurer. Barbara Farrah is working to retain her seat in the Michigan House, while Michael Berry and Mohammad Hafeez are hoping to join her.

Camille George is seeking reelection as State Representative in the battleground state of Pennsylvania. State Senators Hanna Gallo and John Barr are among those running for reelection in Rhode Island.

No list of Arab American Democrats would be complete without mentioning former Secretary of Health and Human Services Donna Shalala, the first Arab American to be nominated to a Cabinet level position. Former members of Congress Mary Rose Oakar, James Abourezk, Pat Danner, and Toby Moffett are still making important contributions to their party and the Arab American community.

And, of course, all Arab Americans are proud of the accomplishments of former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell, who helped broker peace in Northern Ireland and was recently selected chairman of the Walt Disney Company.