Mayor Makes Endorsement for Dearborn District Judge Seat

Dearborn Mayor Jack O'Reilly has pledged his support of attorney Sam Salamey in his 2012 campaign run for judge of the 19th District Court, Salamey announced Sunday.

“I have known and worked with Sam Salamey for many years in Dearborn,” Mayor O’Reilly said. “He has outstanding character and a passion for fairness in the practice of law. As a Dearborn District Court Magistrate, Sam pursued the facts in a respectful but thorough manner always pursuing the truth.

"I can honestly say that as judge, Sam Salamey will be dedicated to insuring that the Dearborn Court serves the best interests of everyone in Dearborn,” he added.

Salamey said the mayor’s endorsement is a major plus for his campaign.

“I am very pleased and honored to receive Mayor O’Reilly’s support,” Salamey said in a statement.

Salamey is one of two candidates who have announced their run for the seat. Dearborn lawyer Candyce Abbatt has also thrown her hat in the ring. Both candidates are longtime Dearborn residents and practicing attorneys. Salamey also served as magistrate for the 19th District Court.

The candidates are vying for sitting Judge Richard Wygonik's seat, which is up in 2012. Wygonik has not officially announced that he will be seeking to retain his spot on the bench.

Abbatt and Salamey's campaigns both focus on ending unnecessary costs in the courts, including several lawsuits filed in recent years.

“The role of our court is to dispense justice, but it is not doing justice for the City of Dearborn or its citizens,” Salamey said. “I am committed to changing that. I am committed to the efficient, unbiased and fair administration of justice and to clean the terrible mess inflicted on the court."

The primary for the district seat will take place Aug. 7. The general election will be held on Nov. 6.