Local Democratic Mayor Makes Surprising Endorsement for 2024 Election

Hamtramck Mayor Amer Ghalib, breaking expectations, endorses Donald Trump for the 2024 presidential election.

At a Glance

Hamtramck Mayor Amer Ghalib endorsed Donald Trump for president.
The endorsement is driven by local Muslim discontent with the Biden administration’s Israel policies.
A poll by the Council on American-Islamic Relations shows low support for Kamala Harris among Michigan Muslims.
Michigan is a critical swing state with tight presidential races.

A Significant Endorsement

Hamtramck’s Democratic Mayor Amer Ghalib has officially endorsed Donald Trump for the 2024 presidential election. He announced his support on September 22, citing Trump’s initiatives and his inclination toward minimizing taxpayer funding for new wars. Ghalib, an Arab-American representing Hamtramck, Michigan’s unique Muslim-majority city, underscores a crucial political shift that could resonate deeply within Michigan’s diverse voter base.

Hamtramck, renowned for its significant Yemeni and Bangladeshi populations, has observed growing discontent amongst its residents towards the Biden administration’s Israel policies. This dissatisfaction is particularly prominent within the local Muslim community, shaping Ghalib’s endorsement. According to the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Vice President Kamala Harris has notably low support among Michigan Muslims, influenced by recent events and policies concerning Gaza.

Amer Ghalib, the Yemeni mayor of the only Muslim-led city in the U.S., Hamtramck, endorses Donald Trump for President despite his stances on Gaza. pic.twitter.com/22PR4rJX8o

— Muslim (@Muslim) September 25, 2024

Local and Statewide Implications

Ghalib’s choice to support Trump is seen as part of a broader political realignment among some Muslim and Arab-American communities in Detroit, who are shifting rightward due to dissatisfaction with Democratic stances on Israel and social conservatism. This shift reflects broader trends observed across Michigan, a critical swing state characterized by closely contested presidential races. Trump’s history of reducing new war engagements is a key aspect of his appeal to these voters.

“President Trump and I may not agree on everything, but I know he is a man of principles,” Ghalib wrote. “I’ll not regret my decision no matter what the outcome would be, and I’m ready to face the consequences.” – Source

Hamtramck has taken several symbolic steps to express its pro-Palestinian stance, including renaming a major thoroughfare to Palestine Avenue and approving a resolution to divest from Israel. Ghalib himself supported the “Uncommitted” movement during Michigan’s Democratic primary, which aimed to pressure Biden on Israel-related issues. His endorsement of Trump is a decisive break from his previous political alignments and is likely to influence voter sentiment in Michigan significantly.

Today, Amer Ghalib, the mayor of majority-Muslim Hamtramck, Michigan, endorsed Donald Trump.

Last week, @Robillard, @AkbarSAhmed and I wrote about what the Harris campaign has — and has not done — to court Arab- and Muslim-American voters.

Namely, they have not offered the… pic.twitter.com/7nzcvW3edF

— Daniel Marans (@danielmarans) September 23, 2024

Political Landscape and Future Outlook

Ghalib’s endorsement came after a private meeting with Trump, where they discussed significant issues affecting Arab and Yemeni Americans. Trump expressed joy over the endorsement, emphasizing his administration’s record of a peaceful global stance. Ghalib’s move marks a historic shift, particularly given that Hamtramck is the only Muslim-majority city in the U.S. with over 40% of its residents being Muslim.

“Trump himself told right-wing Breitbart News that the mayor ‘was a very big fan of the Trump administration because he saw no wars,’ adding, ‘There was no October 7. There was no Russian attack on Ukraine. He sees that, and he told me he saw a world that was at peace.’” – Source

The GOP is leveraging the Israel issue to court Muslim and Arab voters in Michigan actively. While Ghalib and his staff have faced criticism for previously promoting antisemitic ideas online, his latest endorsement highlights a strategic alignment based on shared conservative values and mutual interests in global peace and foreign policy. Despite potential backlash, Ghalib remains assured of his decision’s merit, defending it as essential for the current times.