DEARBORN, Michigan – On the tree-lined streets of Detroit’s suburban inner ring, where tidy lawns and inviting homes paint a serene picture, an intense political battle is unfolding. Dearborn, home to the largest Arab American community in the U.S., is at the heart of a fight for Michigan’s 15 electoral college votes in the upcoming presidential election.
Both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are vying for the support of Michigan’s estimated 200,000 Arab American voters, whose preferences could prove decisive in a race where the margin of victory is predicted to be fewer than 50,000 votes. Traditionally leaning Democratic, Arab Americans are now divided, with many expressing dissatisfaction with Harris due to her association with President Joe Biden’s policies on Israel. Trump, meanwhile, is attempting to make inroads despite his controversial history, including a 2017 travel ban on Muslim-majority countries.
For many Arab Americans, the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict is personal. The October 7 attack by Hamas on Israel, followed by Israeli military campaigns in Gaza and Lebanon, has claimed thousands of lives, including relatives of Arab Americans living in Michigan. The Biden-Harris administration’s unwavering support for Israel has left many feeling unheard, and some are shifting their support to third-party candidates like Jill Stein of the Green Party.
Harris’ campaign has ramped up efforts to engage this community, emphasizing her calls for a ceasefire and support for a two-state solution. However, skepticism remains. Many see her approach as overly cautious, attempting to balance support for Israel’s right to self-defense with recognition of Palestinian suffering.
In response, the Harris campaign has launched an interfaith outreach effort in Dearborn, involving local faith leaders from Muslim, Jewish, and Christian communities. Volunteers have begun door-to-door canvassing to address voter concerns. Imam Mika’il Stewart Saadiq, a respected figure in metro Detroit, has played a prominent role, emphasizing the need to listen and empathize with Arab Americans’ experiences.
At a rally in Ann Arbor, Assad Turfe, Wayne County’s Deputy Executive and the state’s highest-ranking Arab American official, made an impassioned plea for support, highlighting the grief many feel for loved ones lost in Gaza and Lebanon. However, the event was met with protests from some Arab Americans critical of Harris’ stance on the conflict.
As the election approaches, Arab American voters in Michigan remain deeply divided, with many undecided or leaning toward abstention. National polls show Harris and Trump in a virtual tie among Arab American voters, reflecting a significant drop in Democratic support compared to previous elections.
The outcome in Michigan could hinge on whether Harris’ last-minute outreach efforts resonate with this crucial demographic.
