Abbas Alawieh

Abbas Alawieh earned a high school diploma from Fordson High School. He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor in 2014 and a graduate degree from the University of Michigan School of Public Health in 2017.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Abbas Alawieh is a Democratic candidate for State Senate in District 2 who is running to put working families first, ensure dignity for our elders, and fight for safety on our roads. Alawieh is a former congressional chief of staff who built a reputation as a legislative powerhouse, authoring dozens of bills and amendments that passed the U.S. House of Representatives. A champion of organized labor, public education, affordable housing, and the environment, Alawieh played a key role in advancing federal legislation like the PRO Act and tuition-free community college, and secured billions for the removal of lead water pipes.

He previously served as Chief of Staff to Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO) and as a senior legislative staffer to Reps. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) and Andy Levin (D-MI), where he helped orchestrate policy action that kept people housed during the pandemic and advanced bipartisan leadership to stop unjust deportations. A lifelong pro-peace advocate, Alawieh also served as a Democratic National Convention Delegate in 2024 after leading the pro-peace Uncommitted movement, helping reshape the national conversation on foreign policy. Alawieh moved back home to Michigan to care for his mother after her cancer diagnosis. He is running because too many families who need care are hit with enormous bills instead. Alawieh lives in Dearborn with his wife, Amanda, and their dog, Rocco.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

I’m running for State Senate District 2 to represent everyone like they are family to me. To me, that means fighting for dignity and improved quality of life and well-being for every person no matter where they live or who they are. Our political system is fundamentally broken and too many people are becoming disengaged as a result. I want to take this challenge head-on by winning real, tangible investments in District 2’s diverse communities, in every zip code and city.My agenda has a central policy priority: Working Families First. I’m the only candidate in this race who has never and will never accept corporate campaign contributions. I grew up as a working-class Metro Detroiter, and I know personally how the same corporations who are raising our costs are standing in the way of meaningful change. When my mom was diagnosed with cancer, my family was met with a $100,000 bill when what we needed instead was quality care.I'll be ready to lead in Lansing on Day One. In Congress, I earned a reputation as a legislative juggernaut, passing amendments that delivered for working families: removing lead from water, checking corporate money in politics, enacting a COVID eviction moratorium, and championing child tax credits, and more. I know how to work the legislative process while sticking to my values and building partnerships to get things done.

My endorsements reflect that trust: I'm labor's preferred candidate, backed by Sen. Bernie Sanders, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, County Executive Warren Evans, Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud, Dearborn Heights Mayor Mo Beydoun, Taylor Council President Charley Johnson, outgoing State Sen. Sylvia Santana, and more.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I’m passionate about policy areas that improve people’s lives in tangible ways, getting money out of politics and reigning corporate greed, and advancing human dignity. I’m eager to work on lowering health care costs and championing Medicare for All, enacting universal childcare and pre-K, investing in Michigan’s roads and building mass public transportation, expanding affordable housing, protecting civil rights and freedoms for all people, and protecting our climate and environment for today and generations to come.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna, Fmr. U.S. Rep Andy Levin, Outgoing State Senator Sylvia Santana, Wayne County CEO Warren C Evans, Cmr. Sam Baydoun, Cmr. Alex Garza, Fmr. State Senator & County Cmr. Ray Basham, Dearborn Mayor Abdullah H. Hammoud, Dearborn Heights Mayor Mo Baydoun, Dearborn Heights Councilwoman Margaret King, Taylor Council Chair Charley Johnson, Fmr. Dearborn President Pro-Tem Suzanne Sareini, IBEW Local 58, Michigan Professional Fire Fighters Union, Michigan Nurses Association, Northern Midwest Regional Council of Carpenters, UNITE HERE! Local 24

Wayne Academic Union, Detroit Free Press, 12th Congressional District Democrats, Equality Michigan Action Network Recognition, and more