AAPAC members conduct an interview with Wayne County Commissioner District 3 candidate Martha Scott at The Arab American News office. PHOTO: Jessica Barrow/TAAN

DEARBORN – The Arab American Political Action Committee (AAPAC) hosted their first round of interviews for endorsements on Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. at the The Arab American News’ main office. The endorsements will be for Michigan’s primary election which will take place on Tuesday, August 3.

Walter Epps, candidate for Wayne County sheriff; George Darany, candidate for state representative for District 15; and Martha Scott, candidate for Wayne County commissioner District 3, were among the first candidates interviewed that evening.

 “We ask questions that are pertinent to this community,” said AAPAC Chair of Endorsements Tina Farhat. “We want to know if they have ever advanced any laws or policies that specifically affect this community and what makes them a good candidate for us to endorse.” 

The AAPAC conducts interviews for candidates that have both sent letters requesting endorsement and are expected to be in a contested primary election vote, including state legislators, county commissioners, sheriffs, and gubernatorial candidates. Interviews for the general election will also take place prior to the November 2 election date.

Additional interviews are scheduled to take place on Friday, July 16 at 5 p.m. and Saturday, July 17th 11 a.m. at offices of The Arab American News in Dearborn and are open to the public. If more time is needed to interview more candidates, an additional day will be added.  

On Tuesday, July 20, a general membership meeting will convene to vote on endorsements; only members in good standing may vote. Candidates must obtain a two-thirds majority of the vote in order to be endorsed.

“The community is more than welcome to attend these interviews and ask the candidates questions,” said President of the AAPAC Mariam Bazzi. “But the final choice of who will be endorsed lies with active members of the AAPAC.”            

According to Farhat, those who attend the interviews can expect to hear rousing questions and debates and are encouraged to participate.

For a list of candidates to be interviewed as well as meeting times, contact Farhat at 313. 695.9274

PHOTO: AAPAC members conduct an interview with Wayne County Commissioner District 3 candidate Martha Scott at The Arab American News offices.                            

PHOTO: Jessica Barrow/TAAN