Abraham Aiyash (Arabic: أبراهام عياش) is an American politician serving as a member of the Michigan House of Representatives since 2020, currently representing the 9th district.[1][2] A member of the Democratic Party, Aiyash serves as the chamber's majority floor leader.[3] He represents much of Detroit's Midtown, New Center, North End, Boston Edison, Virginia Park, and all of the city of Hamtramck.
Abraham Aiyash | |
|---|---|
| أبراهام عياش | |
| Majority Leader of the Michigan House of Representatives | |
| Assumed office January 1, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Ben Frederick |
| Member of the Michigan House of Representatives | |
| Assumed office December 1, 2020 | |
| Preceded by | Isaac Robinson |
| Constituency | 4th district (2020–2022) 9th district (2023–present) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 20, 1994 Hamtramck, Michigan, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | Michigan State University (BA) |
| Website | Campaign website |
Early life and education
editAiyash was born and raised in Hamtramck, Michigan, the seventh of eight children. His parents immigrated to Michigan from Yemen. Aiyash was educated in the Hamtramck Public Schools and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Michigan State University, where he studied pre-medicine, political science, and Muslim studies.[4][5]
Career
editWhen he was 13, Aiyash worked as a community organizer for the Barack Obama 2008 presidential campaign.[6] In 2015 and 2016, he worked in the office of State Rep. Rose Mary Robinson.[7][5]
In 2018, Aiyash was a candidate for the Democratic primary to represent Michigan's 2nd Senate district. He finished second after Adam Hollier, who won the general election. During his campaign, Aiyash was endorsed by the Detroit Free Press.[8]
Abraham announced his candidacy for the 4th district of the Michigan House of Representatives following the death of Isaac Robinson in March 2020.[9][10][11][12] In the Democratic primary, Aiyash placed first in a field of 13 candidates. He defeated Republican nominee Howard Weathington, Working Class Party candidate Linda Rayburn, and Independent MD Rabbi Alam in the November general election. He assumed office on December 1, 2020.[13]
In 2023, Aiyash became majority leader of the House of Representatives, the first Arab-American to do so. He also became the highest-ranking Muslim American in the state's legislative history.[3]
Political positions
editAiyash has shown support for clean energy, legislation against pollution and other issues surrounding the environmental and public health.[14]
Aiyash has advanced legislation aimed at gun reform to curb gun violence.[15] Aiyash has proposed legislation to make Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr state holidays.[16]
Aiyash supports expanding civil rights. In 2023, he co-sponsored a bill in the Michigan state legislature which amended the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to include protections for the LGBTQ community.[17]
Aiyash opposed a resolution calling for the support of Israel and condemnation of the Hamas terrorist attacks against Israel, saying the resolution fails to recognize the suffering of the Palestinians. Aiyash stated "I think any conversation around what is happening in Israel and Palestine that makes no acknowledgement of the 70-plus year occupation and mistreatment of the Palestinian people is disrespectful.”[18]
Electoral history
edit| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Democratic | Abraham Aiyash | 5,352 | 38.3 | |
| Democratic | Michele Oberholtzer | 1,946 | 13.9 | |
| Democratic | Tawanna Simpson | 1,520 | 10.9 | |
| Democratic | Tonya Myers Phillips | 1,419 | 10.2 | |
| Democratic | Delorean Holmes | 1,003 | 7.2 | |
| Democratic | Shahab Ahmed | 835 | 6.0 | |
| Total votes | 13,962 | 100 | ||
| General election | ||||
| Democratic | Abraham Aiyash | 27,263 | 89.7 | |
| Republican | Howard Weathington | 1,736 | 5.7 | |
| Working Class Party | Linda Rayburn | 1,027 | 3.4 | |
| Independent | MD Rabbi Alam | 355 | 1.2 | |
| Total votes | 30,377 | 100 | ||
| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Democratic | Adam Hollier | 6,938 | 25.2 | |
| Democratic | Abraham Aiyash | 5,766 | 21.0 | |
| Democratic | Brian Banks | 4,725 | 17.2 | |
| Democratic | Regina Williams | 2,598 | 9.5 | |
| Democratic | LaMar Lemmons Jr. | 2,512 | 9.1 | |
| Democratic | John Olumba | 1,747 | 6.4 | |
| Democratic | George Cushingberry Jr. | 1,121 | 4.1 | |
| Democratic | Anam Miah | 931 | 3.4 | |
| Democratic | Lawrence Gannan | 555 | 2.0 | |
| Democratic | William Phillips | 328 | 1.2 | |
| Democratic | Tommy Campbell | 265 | 1.0 | |
| Total votes | 27,486 | 100 | ||
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Status quo in Wayne County and State Reps races, newcomers to universities' boards". November 6, 2020. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
- ^ "US elections 2020: Muslim American candidates who made history". Middle East Eye. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
- ^ a b "Abraham Aiyash selected as House majority floor leader as Democrats take control of the legislature". Arab American News. November 11, 2022. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
- ^ "About Aiyash". Abraham Aiyash for State Representative District 4. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
- ^ a b "Abraham Aiyash sworn in as first Yemeni American State Rep". The Yemeni American (in Arabic). November 21, 2020. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
- ^ "Abraham Aiyash is Running for District 4 State Representative". The Yemeni American (in Arabic). June 17, 2020. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
- ^ "Meet Rep. Aiyash". housedems.com. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
- ^ "All Detroit Free Press endorsements for the 2020 general election". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
- ^ "State Rep. Isaac Robinson dies of suspected coronavirus infection". Crain's Detroit Business. March 29, 2020. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
- ^ "State Rep Isaac Robinson dead at 44; mom suspects COVID-19". seattlepi.com. March 30, 2020. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
- ^ Zhao, Christina (March 29, 2020). "Michigan state Rep. Isaac Robinson dies from suspected coronavirus infection in Detroit". Newsweek. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
- ^ "State Rep. Isaac Robinson dead at 44; mom suspects COVID-19". SFGate.com. March 30, 2020.
- ^ "Abraham Aiyash". Ballotpedia. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
- ^ Davidson, Kyle (March 27, 2023). "Energy, clean water and pollution top list of environmental priorities for House Dems ⋆ Michigan Advance". Michigan Advance. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
- ^ Schuster, Simon; Burr, Alyssa (February 14, 2023). "Michigan State mass shooting sends gun reform laws to top of Democrats' agenda". mlive. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
- ^ Coleman, Ken (April 25, 2023). "Legislators announce bill package to recognize new state holidays ⋆ Michigan Advance". Michigan Advance. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
- ^ "Rep. Aiyash supports civil rights expansion". Rep. Aiyash supports civil rights expansion. The Hamtramck Review. March 17, 2023. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
- ^ "Bipartisan Michigan House resolution to condemn violence in Israel may be doomed ⋆ Michigan Advance". October 12, 2023.
- ^ "Michigan State House of Representatives District 4". Ballotpedia. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
- ^ "Michigan State Senate District 2". Ballotpedia. Retrieved May 15, 2020.