Democratic state Rep. Alabas Farhat led Republican challenger Gus Tarraf in Michigan House District 3 returns Wednesday morning, according to Wayne County’s unofficial election results.
As of the county’s 8:31 a.m. EST update Nov. 4, Farhat had 25,041 votes, or 85.06%, compared with Tarraf’s 4,284 votes, or 14.55%.
All 34 district precincts were reporting, but additional ballots may remain to be counted. These unofficial totals do not establish a winner.
The district covers east and central Dearborn and northwest Detroit, serving about 92,500 constituents, according to the Michigan House Democrats. Voters selected one candidate for a two-year term.
Michigan House District 3 results
The following totals reflect Wayne County’s report updated at 8:31:15 a.m. EST Nov. 4:
Candidate or vote category | Party | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
Alabas Farhat, incumbent | Democratic | 25,041 | 85.06% |
Gus Tarraf | Republican | 4,284 | 14.55% |
Write-in | — | 114 | 0.39% |
Total | 29,439 | 100.00% |
Farhat led Tarraf by 20,757 votes in that update. The precinct reporting figure does not establish that every ballot has been counted.
What’s at stake
Every seat in the Michigan Senate and House was on the ballot, according to Votebeat.
Republicans entered the election with a 58-52 advantage in the House, while Democrats controlled the Senate, according to 270toWin.
The candidates
Farhat, a Democrat raised in Dearborn, has served in the House since 2023 and is in his second term, according to the Library of Michigan’s legislative biography.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in public health from the University of Michigan-Dearborn and a master’s degree from the University of Michigan’s Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, according to state biographical records and university material.
Farhat serves on the House Appropriations Committee and is minority vice chair of the Rules Committee.
On July 24, 2025, Republican Speaker Matt Hall removed Farhat from his role as minority vice chair of the House Appropriations Committee after Farhat voted against a life-without-parole bill, according to MIRS reporting published by SBAM.
Hall said Farhat had agreed to support the bill after changes; Farhat denied making that agreement. House Democratic Leader Ranjeev Puri criticized the removal as damaging to budget negotiations.
Tarraf’s campaign website identifies him as a Dearborn resident and lists priorities including reducing property-tax burdens, improving utility reliability and accountability, supporting public safety and schools, helping small businesses and increasing government transparency.
How to track results
Readers can follow additional returns through Wayne County’s election results portal and the Michigan Secretary of State’s results page.
Vote totals remain unofficial until canvassing and certification are complete. This article will be updated as additional results become available.
