Hamtramck City Clerk Fired Over Partisan Punching Bags

Officials say the discovery of political punching bags in the Clerk's office violated state law requiring non-partisan neutrality.

Mar. 10, 2026 at 10:37pm

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The former City Clerk of Hamtramck, Michigan, Rana Faraj, has been terminated from her position after officials discovered "partisan punching bags featuring candidates' faces" inside the Clerk's office, which they say violates state laws mandating non-partisan neutrality in city offices.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the ongoing tensions and allegations of impropriety surrounding elections in Hamtramck, a diverse Detroit suburb that has seen a number of high-profile political controversies in recent years.

The details

Faraj was placed on paid leave shortly after the discovery of the punching bags, which officials say is a clear violation of Michigan's requirement for non-partisan neutrality in city offices. Her attorney claims the decision to terminate her was already made, and that this was just a "loaded reason to justify" the firing.

  • On Tuesday, Hamtramck leaders announced Faraj's termination.
  • Last November, Faraj spoke before the Wayne County Board of Canvassers about a 37-vote discrepancy following the tabulation of ballots on election night.

The players

Rana Faraj

The former City Clerk of Hamtramck, Michigan, who was terminated from her position after the discovery of "partisan punching bags featuring candidates' faces" in the Clerk's office.

Adam Alharbi

The Mayor of Hamtramck, who says the termination was done on the advice of legal counsel after the discovery of the partisan punching bags.

Jon Marko

The attorney representing Faraj, who claims the decision to terminate her was already made and that this was just a "loaded reason to justify" the firing.

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What they’re saying

“We were waiting on legal counsel's advice, and they advised us to proceed forward with the termination.”

— Adam Alharbi, Mayor of Hamtramck

“They hired a private firm to do an investigation and then came up with a loaded reason to justify terminating her. The decision was already made, clearly, and it's the same old story in Hamtramck.”

— Jon Marko, Attorney representing Rana Faraj

What’s next

Faraj's attorney says they plan to move forward with a lawsuit on her behalf challenging the termination.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the ongoing political tensions and allegations of impropriety surrounding elections in Hamtramck, Michigan, highlighting the importance of maintaining non-partisan neutrality in city offices and the need for transparent and accountable election processes.