Wikipedia

Yousef Rabhi

Yousef D. Rabhi[1] (born June 9, 1988) is a former member of the Michigan House of Representatives who also served as the Democratic Floor Leader.[2] He represented Michigan's 53rd House District, encompassing the majority of Ann Arbor, from 2017 to 2023. He replaced Jeff Irwin, who was term limited. He is a member of both the Democratic Party[2] and the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA).[3][4]

Yousef Rabhi
Rabhi in 2019
Member of the Michigan House of Representatives
from the 53rd district
In office
January 1, 2017 – January 1, 2023
Preceded byJeff Irwin
Succeeded byBrenda Carter
Personal details
Born (1988-06-09) June 9, 1988 (age 37)
Ypsilanti, Michigan, U.S.
PartyDemocratic
Children1
University of Michigan
WebsiteRep. Yousef Rabhi

Early life and education

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Rabhi was born in Ypsilanti and raised on the North Side of Ann Arbor. His father, Lounes Rabhi, is a mechanical engineer and his mother, Peggy Rabhi, is a longstanding, local community activist. His mother's involvement in the Ann Arbor Democratic Party, as well as his grandfather's history of labor organizing in Detroit, inspired Rabhi to pursue a career in public service. Rabhi is a University of Michigan alum[5] and is of Algerian descent on his paternal side.[6]

Electoral history

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Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners (2010–2016, 2023-present)

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2010 Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners

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In 2010, while still attending the University of Michigan, Rabhi was elected to the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners, earning over 75% of the vote to defeat Republican candidate Joe Baublis.[7] He won his primary election by two votes. The commissioners elected Rabhi to serve as chair of the Board's Working Sessions.

2012 Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners

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Following redistricting in 2011, Washtenaw's districts shrank from 11 to 9. Unopposed in the Democratic primary, Rabhi was elected as commissioner for District 8, which comprised most of the same area as the former District 11. Rabhi won 77.75% of the vote, succeeding again over Republican candidate Joe Baublis.[8] His fellow commissioners elected Rabhi to serve as chair of the Board.

2014 Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners

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After winning 82.22% of the vote, Rabhi was reelected in 2014 to serve as District 8's county commissioner;[9] the Board elected him to serve as vice chair.

Michigan House of Representatives (2016–2022)

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Rabhi (right) and family members attend his swearing-in ceremony at the Michigan State Capitol in Lansing.
Rabhi (right) and family members attend his swearing-in ceremony at the Michigan State Capitol in Lansing.

Campaign

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Rabhi announced his candidacy for Representative for Michigan's 53rd District in September 2015.[10] The seat was left vacant by Democrat Jeff Irwin, who was term-limited. Rabhi ran on a platform that sought to secure "a healthier Environment, a resilient Economy, a strong Public Education system, and Equity for all."

Election

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In the August 2016 Democratic primary, Rabhi won over 85% of the vote over candidate Steven Kwasny.[11] In the November general election, Rabhi secured 80.26% over the vote, defeating Republican candidate Samuel Bissell and Green Party candidate Joseph Stevens.[12]

Washtenaw Board of County Commissioners

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Rabhi with John Dingell at the Leslie Science & Nature Center during his tenure as county commissioner, 2013

During his six-year tenure as a county commissioner, Rabhi served as chair of the Board's Working Sessions, as chair, and as vice chair.

Rabhi also spearheaded many community development programs, including the creation of the first Municipal ID program in the Midwest and the establishment of the Washtenaw Dental Clinic, which serves uninsured and Medicaid-eligible patients.[13]

Michigan House of Representatives

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Rabhi was sworn into the 99th Michigan Legislature in January 2017. He served on the House Appropriations Committee. He serves on the House Appropriations Subcommittees on Higher Education, Community Colleges, and the Department of Environmental Quality. He also served as the minority vice chair on the Appropriations Subcommittee on the Department of Environmental Quality.[14] During his second term, he served on the Committee on Government Operations, the House Fiscal Agency Governing Committee, and the Legislative Council.

Rabhi has campaigned for the shutdown of Enbridge Line 5 (a petroleum pipeline that crosses the Straits of Mackinac), asserting the 65-year-old pipeline is likely to spill.[15]

He opposed revisions to the Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System in 2017 that shifted state educators' pensions into 401(k) plans.[16]

Rabhi has also backed legislation supporting immigration rights and legal marijuana, and no-fault auto insurance.[17]

Rabhi was elected Democratic Floor Leader for the 100th session of the Michigan Legislature.

2026 Ann Arbor Mayoral Campaign

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On February 2, 2026, Rabhi announced he would be running for Mayor of Ann Arbor, challenging incumbent mayor Christopher Taylor.[5] Rabhi is campaigning on the issues of cost of living, housing affordability, and public ownership.[5][18] He has been endorsed by the Teamsters local 243 chapter, the Huron Valley Democratic Socialists of America, the Huron Valley Area Labor Federation, and the Michigan Graduate Student Union.[19] The primary will be held on August 4, 2026.[20]

References

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  1. ↑ "Michigan Committee Statement of Organization". Michigan Secretary of State. Archived from the original on November 15, 2019. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
  2. 1 2 Meer, Jennifer. "State Rep. Yousef Rabhi organizes for re-election, pushes for Democrat wins in the Michigan House". MichiganDaily.com. Retrieved October 19, 2017.
  3. ↑ Stanton, Ryan (3 February 2026). "'Power to people.' Rabhi lays out socialist agenda in run for Ann Arbor mayor".
  4. ↑ "🌹I'm proud to share that I've received the endorsement of the Huron Valley Democratic Socialists of America! For me, being a long-time member of DSA has been all about putting working-class families… | Yousef Rabhi". LinkedIn. Retrieved 2026-04-05.
  5. 1 2 3 Wilder, Lyra (2026-02-04). "Democratic socialist Yousef Rabhi announces bid for Ann Arbor mayor". The Michigan Daily. Retrieved 2026-04-02.
  6. ↑ Dunn, Patrick. "Local elected officials of color on race and politics in the age of Trump, part 1: State Reps". ModelDMedia.com. Issue Media Group. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  7. ↑ Washtenaw County (Nov 15, 2010). "Official Election Results". ewashtenaw.org.
  8. ↑ Washtenaw County (Nov 23, 2011). "Official Election Results". ewashtenaw.org.
  9. ↑ "Election". electionresults.ewashtenaw.org. Retrieved 2017-11-11.
  10. ↑ "Yousef Rabhi - Ann Arbor - LocalWiki". localwiki.org. Retrieved 2017-11-11.
  11. ↑ "Election". electionresults.ewashtenaw.org. Retrieved 2017-11-11.
  12. ↑ "Election". electionresults.ewashtenaw.org. Retrieved 2017-11-11.
  13. ↑ "About Yousef". www.voterabhi.com. Retrieved 2017-11-11.
  14. ↑ "Michigan Legislature - Search Bills by Sponsor". www.legislature.mi.gov. Retrieved 2017-11-11.
  15. ↑ Scott, Tyler. "Democrats trying to ratchet up pressure to shut down Line 5". Retrieved 2017-11-11.
  16. ↑ "State Rep. Yousef Rabhi organizes for re-election, pushes for Democrat wins in the Michigan House". The Michigan Daily. Retrieved 2017-11-11.
  17. ↑ "The Voter's Self Defense System". Vote Smart. Retrieved 2017-11-11.
  18. ↑ Perkins, Tom (2026-02-02). "Rabhi challenges Ann Arbor's Democratic establishment with socialist mayoral bid • Michigan Advance". Michigan Advance. Retrieved 2026-04-02.
  19. ↑ "Vote for Yousef Rabhi | Elect Community Leader - Act Now". Vote for Yousef Rabhi. Retrieved 2026-04-02.
  20. ↑ "Ann Arbor, Michigan". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2026-04-02.
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