08-09-23 Iowa Legislator Sami Scheetz and Kyle Melinn on Hamtramck elections

S3E15 August 9, 2023

Welcome to the Ray Hanania Radio Show ... I am Ray Hanania ... it is Wednesday August 9, 2023 and this is Season 3 Episode 15 ... we are brought to you by the US Arab Radio Network and sponsored by Arab News the Voice of a changing region. Arab News at ArabNews.com is an award winning newspaper covering the Middle East, with bureaus in Paris, London, Islamabad, Tokyo and coverage in the United States where I am the US Special Correspondent ... Our radio show focuses on the Arab American community and issues, and also Middle East coverage from a US Perspective ...

We have two guests today ...

In segment 1, we will speak with State Representative Sami Scheetz of Iowa's 78th District ... who will discuss how he got elected as Iowa's only Arab American legislator and how he focuses on Iowa issues over Middle East politics to win the hearts and minds of voters ...

And, in segment 2, we will speak editor of Mirs a Michigan News and Information Service Kyle Melinn joins us to discuss the elections in Michigan including in Hamtramck which is the nation's only all-Muslim government, mayor and 6 city council members. MIRS.news

Three incumbent council members in Hamtramck, Michigan are seeking re-election, Muhammed Hassan, Nayeem Leon Choudhury and Muhammed Alsomiri.

The six challengers are are Sari Ahmed, Ruhel Amin, Nasr Saleh Hussain, Muhtasin Rahman Sadman, Yousuf Osman Saed and Lynn Blasey. Three incumbent council members who are not facing election in the City Council currently include members Muhith Mahmood, Abu Musa and Khalil Refai.

Blasey is of European ancestry and Christian with along history working in the Arab American community including at the Arab Museum in Dearborn.

Let's take a quick break and when we come back we can speak with our guests, Iowa State Rep. Sami Scheetz and Michigan Political consultant Kyle Melinn ...we'll be right back ... right after these messages.