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Arab Americans Play Pivotal Role in Key Races Across U.S.

AAI Press Release
Posted on Thursday November 9, 2006

WASHINGTON – Nov. 9, 2006 – Arab American Democrats played a pivotal role in Senate and House races across the country – organizing voter rallies, candidates’ nights, sophisticated get out the vote phone banks and door-to-door canvases that helped deliver victory in these key races.

In Virginia, Senator-elect Jim Webb’s campaign was buoyed by Arab American Democrats, who placed more than 30,000 phone calls encouraging the Arab American community to get out to the polls in support of Webb.

“Arab American Democrat” signs were visible throughout the room at Webb’s Victory Party. One volunteer on the ground reported, “As soon as Webb glanced at our signs, he said, ‘I will make sure that our party will be an all inclusive party.’ Just this phrase is a great gift for the efforts that we have all been generous in giving…we have already proven our collective political influence on his campaign.”

Webb campaigned directly for the Arab American vote, attending the Arab American Institute’s (AAI) Virginia Candidates’ Night, where he answered questions from the community about Palestine, the war in Iraq and civil liberties.

In New Jersey, the Arab-American Democratic Caucus (AADC) endorsed Sen. Robert Menendez, citing his responses to an AAI questionnaire about his stance on trade with Arab nations, engaging the Arab American community in the political process, habeas corpus and other issues of deep concern to the state’s Arab American voters.

During the last week of the campaign, AADC members placed 55,000 phone calls for Menendez, and went tirelessly door-to-door to help energize voters for Menendez.

In Pennsylvania, Arab American Democrats aided five Congressional candidates and U.S. Senate candidate Bob Casey, Jr. through direct mail and thousands of targeted phone calls. Additionally, individual groups of Arab American voters, many getting involved politically for the first time, organized fundraisers in their home for local candidates running for Congress.

“The political organization of Arab American Democrats and Republicans helped engage record numbers of Arab Americans in the civic process and raised the visibility and importance of this emerging swing vote,” said AAI President Dr. James Zogby. “Candidates in these races spoke to the issues at the heart of the Arab American community, and those issues mobilize this pivotal base to the polls. We hope that in 2008, even more candidates on both sides of the aisle look to engage Arab Americans voters.”