Press Room

Press Releases

Arab Americans Getting Out the Vote in New Hampshire . . . and Beyond

AAI
Posted on Friday January 11, 2008

Last Tuesday’s New Hampshire primaries brought more surprises to both the Democratic and Republican 2008 presidential fields. Just like in Iowa last week, Arab Americans were on the ground in New Hampshire working for candidates as paid staff, volunteers, and canvassers throughout the state.

AAI member and former candidate for U.S. Congress Justin Nadeau spent last weekend with Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villagarosa campaigning for Hillary Clinton. They spent Friday in Nadeau’s hometown of Portsmouth engaging undecided voters in an intelligent dialogue and making their pitch for Senator Clinton. Nadeau also hosted Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley at his home on Saturday, again facilitating a discussion with undecided voters.

Omar Humadi also spent the days leading up to the election going door to door for Clinton. He urged Arab Americans across the country to “talk about the candidates, talk to your friends and neighbors, look hard at the issues, volunteer your spare time and show the public who you are for. We are all ambassadors of our community, but after all that is said and done … yalla vote.”

On the other side the of aisle, Republican candidate for U.S. Congress from New Hampshire’s first district John Stephen (pictured left) led Get Out the Vote efforts in New Hampshire’s Arab American community. Stephen did not endorse a candidate, but spent the weeks and days before the primary speaking in Maronite and Melkite churches in the state, encouraging Arab Americans to vote and question candidates on issues such as their vision for U.S. policy in the Middle East.

Both the Democratic and Republican races are likely to remain competitive until Super Tuesday on February 5 and perhaps beyond, so there is still plenty of time for Arab Americans to get involved in the campaigns! If you’d like to volunteer for one of the candidates, click here and fill out our Presidential Campaign Connection form. We’ll connect you with the campaign of the candidate you’d like to support!

Not sure where candidates stand on issues important to you and other Arab Americans? Check out Election Central to see what different candidates are saying about the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, civil liberties, Iraq, and more.