Arab American PAC Holds Back on Presidential Endorsement
The Michigan-based group refused to select between "the lesser of two evils," both of whom have "endorsed genocide in Gaza and war in Lebanon."
TroibNews 
The Arab American Political Action Committee (AAPAC) in Michigan has opted not to endorse Kamala Harris or Donald Trump for president, marking the first instance of the group withholding its support since its inception over 20 years ago.
“This year, we face a choice of two candidates who are harming our communities here and our families and friends in our homelands,” the committee stated on Monday. “We simply cannot give our votes to either Democrat Kamala Harris or Republican Donald Trump, who blindly support the criminal Israeli government led by far right extremists, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.”
The committee expressed that “neither candidate represents our hopes and dreams as Arab Americans” and pointed out that both “have endorsed genocide in Gaza and war in Lebanon.”
AAPAC had previously endorsed Joe Biden in 2020 and Hillary Clinton in 2016, typically leaning towards Democratic candidates.
According to their statement, AAPAC members convened on Sunday to discuss potential endorsements, engaging in extensive debate before concluding that both Harris and Trump “compete to please and support the Israeli government.” Ultimately, they decided against endorsing either candidate, unwilling to compromise their “principles for the lesser of two evils.”
“By not voting for either Donald Trump or Kamala Harris, we are not staying silent — to the contrary, we are making a powerful statement and sending a clear message: We refuse to endorse candidates who do not care about us or our concerns, continue to divide America, and are complicit in an active genocide,” AAPAC said. “Our votes matter, and withholding them will show that we cannot be ignored or taken for granted.”
Additionally, the organization chose not to endorse a candidate for Michigan’s Senate seat, urging the community to refrain from voting for either Democrat Elissa Slotkin or Republican Mike Rogers. The statement characterized both as “warmongers” unworthy of support.
Based in Dearborn, Michigan, AAPAC serves a significant population of Palestinian and Lebanese Americans. Many individuals from Michigan’s Muslim and Arab American communities have expressed dissatisfaction with the Biden-Harris administration’s approach to the Israel-Hamas conflict and Israel’s actions in Lebanon.
AAPAC joins other Arab American organizations in Michigan that have decided not to back a presidential candidate, increasing the pressure on Harris to distance herself from President Joe Biden’s policies regarding Israel. The Uncommitted Movement, while not endorsing Harris, encouraged voters last month to avoid supporting Trump.
The Harris campaign has not yet responded to requests for comment.
Mathilde Moreau contributed to this report for TROIB News
“This year, we face a choice of two candidates who are harming our communities here and our families and friends in our homelands,” the committee stated on Monday. “We simply cannot give our votes to either Democrat Kamala Harris or Republican Donald Trump, who blindly support the criminal Israeli government led by far right extremists, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.”
The committee expressed that “neither candidate represents our hopes and dreams as Arab Americans” and pointed out that both “have endorsed genocide in Gaza and war in Lebanon.”
AAPAC had previously endorsed Joe Biden in 2020 and Hillary Clinton in 2016, typically leaning towards Democratic candidates.
According to their statement, AAPAC members convened on Sunday to discuss potential endorsements, engaging in extensive debate before concluding that both Harris and Trump “compete to please and support the Israeli government.” Ultimately, they decided against endorsing either candidate, unwilling to compromise their “principles for the lesser of two evils.”
“By not voting for either Donald Trump or Kamala Harris, we are not staying silent — to the contrary, we are making a powerful statement and sending a clear message: We refuse to endorse candidates who do not care about us or our concerns, continue to divide America, and are complicit in an active genocide,” AAPAC said. “Our votes matter, and withholding them will show that we cannot be ignored or taken for granted.”
Additionally, the organization chose not to endorse a candidate for Michigan’s Senate seat, urging the community to refrain from voting for either Democrat Elissa Slotkin or Republican Mike Rogers. The statement characterized both as “warmongers” unworthy of support.
Based in Dearborn, Michigan, AAPAC serves a significant population of Palestinian and Lebanese Americans. Many individuals from Michigan’s Muslim and Arab American communities have expressed dissatisfaction with the Biden-Harris administration’s approach to the Israel-Hamas conflict and Israel’s actions in Lebanon.
AAPAC joins other Arab American organizations in Michigan that have decided not to back a presidential candidate, increasing the pressure on Harris to distance herself from President Joe Biden’s policies regarding Israel. The Uncommitted Movement, while not endorsing Harris, encouraged voters last month to avoid supporting Trump.
The Harris campaign has not yet responded to requests for comment.
Mathilde Moreau contributed to this report for TROIB News
