Controversial City Clerk Fired After Punching Bags Found in Office

Rana Faraj was terminated for having partisan punching bags with politicians' faces in her office, violating neutrality rules.

Mar. 11, 2026 at 6:22pm

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Rana Faraj, a city clerk in Hamtramck, Michigan, has been fired after punching bags featuring the faces of local politicians were discovered in her office. This comes after Faraj was previously placed on leave over a voter fraud scandal involving uncounted ballots that could have swung a mayoral election. The mayor cited a "gross violation of the non-partisan neutrality required by law" as the reason for Faraj's termination.

Why it matters

This case highlights the importance of maintaining impartiality and professionalism in local government roles, especially those involved in election administration. The discovery of partisan political materials in an official's office raises concerns about the integrity of the electoral process and the public's trust in their local institutions.

The details

Rana Faraj had been on leave from her position as city clerk in Hamtramck since November, when 37 uncounted ballots that could have changed the outcome of the mayoral election were found in her office. Faraj later sued the city, claiming she was being punished for whistleblowing on non-election personnel entering her office. This week, Faraj was fired not over the ballot issue, but for the "discovery of partisan punching bags featuring candidates' faces inside" her office, which the mayor called "a gross violation of the non-partisan neutrality required by law." One punching bag had the face of the mayoral candidate who lost by just 11 votes, while another had an unidentified city council candidate's face.

  • In November, 37 uncounted ballots that could have swung the mayoral election were found in Faraj's office.
  • In December, Faraj filed a lawsuit alleging retaliation for reporting election integrity issues.
  • In February, a council member pleaded guilty to a reduced charge related to the ballot issues.
  • In April, another official charged with election law violations is set to go to trial.

The players

Rana Faraj

The former city clerk of Hamtramck, Michigan who was fired for having partisan punching bags in her office.

Adam Alharbi

The mayor of Hamtramck who announced Faraj's firing, citing a "gross violation of the non-partisan neutrality required by law."

Muhith Mahmood

The former city councilman who lost the mayoral election to Alharbi by 11 votes, potentially due to the uncounted ballots found in Faraj's office.

Muhtasin Sadman

A Hamtramck council member who pleaded guilty in February to a reduced charge related to the ballot issues.

Mohammed Hassan

A Hamtramck mayor pro tempore who is charged with forgery and other election law violations and is set to go to trial in April.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage public trust in our elections.”

— Adam Alharbi, Mayor of Hamtramck

What’s next

The judge overseeing Faraj's lawsuit against the city will make a ruling on whether she was wrongfully terminated.

The takeaway

This case underscores the critical importance of election officials maintaining strict political neutrality in order to preserve the integrity of the democratic process. The discovery of partisan materials in an election administrator's office is a serious breach of public trust that must be swiftly addressed.