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Iowa

Political Involvement in Iowa

AAI Bulletin
Posted on Wednesday May 24, 2006

Arab American Sal Mohamed is a Democratic candidate in Iowa’s gubernatorial race. Mohamed, an immigrant from Egypt who became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1983, ran a spirited – though unsuccessful – campaign for the Democratic nomination for Congress in Iowa’s 5th District in 2004. Iowa’s primary is on June 6.

Also in Iowa, AAI National Policy Council member Newman Abuissa attended the 2nd Congressional District Democratic Convention, advancing his platform plank on Israel-Palestine which states, “We support a two state solution based on international law and all relevant UN resolutions and the right of return of the Palestinians.” This plank had been passed into the Johnson County platform, but had not been passed in enough other counties to be automatically placed on the agenda for the District platform discussion. By getting the signatures of 37 other delegates, Newman was able to introduce it at the convention. After a good discussion with the whole body of the convention, it passed by a clear majority on a standing vote. Newman will be attending the State Convention on June 17, and looks forward to the day when there are at least 50 Arab Americans in each party submitting similar platform planks at their county, district, and state conventions.

Through his professional position with the State Department of Transportation, Newman also serves on the Governor’s Golden Dome Award Committee, arranging local events to honor of state employees who have achieved 25 plus years of service with the state government.