JULY 2020

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.
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 .
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.
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.
26 CHALDEAN NEWS JULY 2020