Meet the Candidates
By Ashley A. Attisha, Esq.
So far, in 2020, we have been battling the Covid-19 pandemic, systemic racial injustice, killer hornets and we still have a Presidential election to look forward to in November. Democracy cannot exist without elections and this year more Chaldeans are on the ballot than ever before.
Stacy Bahri, Macomb County Commissioner, District 5
Stacy Bahri is a first-time candidate running as a Democrat for Macomb County Commissioner for District 5. She spent the majority of her career working as a community activist, educational leader, and program manager for the Chaldean Community Foundation. Stacy has a dedicated background of advocating for Chaldeans and minorities and has worked to reduce economic disparities for Chaldean refugees. Stacy is involved in several committees that promote cultural diversity and inclusion, such as Macomb County’s Annual Breakfast of Nations and Student Diversity Summit and McLaren Macomb’s Diversity & Inclusion Council. She has been proudly endorsed by Macomb County Executive, Mark Hackel and Warren Consolidated School Board Vice President, Susan Kattula. Stacy’s vision for Macomb County includes strengthening public safety, improving roads and infrastructure, and delivering better county services. Macomb County’s primary election is August 4, 2020. Stacy is running against Democrat Rob Mijac in the primary election. If you are interested in learning more about Stacy visit votebahri.com.
Talil Abrhiem, PhD, Macomb County Commissioner, District 5
Dr. Talil Abrhiem is running as a Republican for Macomb County Commissioner of District 5. Prior to immigrating to the United States, Dr. Abrhiem worked in Greece helping refugees and temporary workers file for jobs and in some cases, asylum from oppressive governments. In hindsight, he says, that experience gave him a greater appreciation for the political and economic freedom in the United States. After twenty years of success in the business field, Dr. Abrhiem decided to further his education, eventually earning a Ph.D. in business organization and management. For the past several years, Dr. Abrhiem has been a campus dean and business professor at a university focused on adult students. If elected, Dr. Abrhiem promises to fix roads, create more jobs, and balance the government’s budget. Macomb County’s primary election is August 4, 2020. Dr. Abrhiem is running against Republican Donald VanSyckel in the primary election. For more information visit talilabrhiem.com.
Eric Esshaki, U.S. House of Representatives, 11th Congressional District
Eric Esshaki is a first-generation Chaldean-American. Growing up in Southgate, Michigan, he learned early on what it meant to have a strong work ethic from his father who had immigrated to the United States from Lebanon in the seventies. Eric became a registered nurse and has experience working as a home care nurse, emergency room nurse, and several management roles. While working as a nurse, he earned his B.A. from Oakland University and set his sights on becoming an attorney. Eric graduated from the University of Michigan Law School and joined a prominent law firm. As a former nurse and practicing attorney, Esshaki is most concerned with the state of healthcare in the U.S. and hopes to jump right in to find a solution to the problem. If elected, he will be the first Chaldean-American congressman. For more information visit vote.ericesshaki.com.
Clarence Dass, Oakland County Circuit Court
Clarence Dass is a lifelong resident of Oakland County. He served as assistant prosecuting attorney for the Oakland County Prosecutor’s office from 2012 to 2016. He now leads The Dass Law Firm where he specializes in criminal, family, juvenile and municipal law. Clarence Dass believes that service to the community does not stop at the courtroom doors. His entire career, Dass has undertaken various community and leadership initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life of those around him. In 2017, Dass was named one of the Oakland County Executive’s “Elite 40 Under 40.” He served as President of the 27th Class of Leadership Oakland, where he helped spearhead the building of a safe house for human trafficking survivors. In 2018, he received Leadership Oakland’s “Leader of Leaders” Award for Exemplary Public Leadership. To learn more visit dass4judge.com.
Jim Manna, Trustee, West Bloomfield Township
Jim Manna is a long-time resident of West Bloomfield. He was appointed as West Bloomfield Planning Commissioner in 2009 and was elected as Trustee of West Bloomfield in 2016. Jim entered the political scene to be a voice for the large Chaldean community in West Bloomfield. Since Manna was elected in 2016, West Bloomfield’s boards and committees diversified and now include a Chaldean representative at every level. Manna has received many calls from residents over the years and has done his best to serve, protect, and help the citizens of West Bloomfield. To learn more about Jim Manna’s campaign please contact him directly at jimmanna@outlook.com.
Klint Kesto, Oakland County Commissioner, District 5
Klint Kesto was the first Chaldean-American elected to the Michigan State House of Representatives in 2013. He served for five years. Prior to that Kesto served as an assistant prosecuting attorney for Wayne County. Kesto says he was motivated to run for office by the lack of Chaldean representation in government. Kesto is grounded in families and has always been an advocate for business owners. He proudly raised the voice of the Chaldean Community in Lansing, and now is focusing his advocacy on families and businesses in Oakland County.