Suzanne Sareini’s departure from Dearborn City Council—which she announced to the public Tuesday—won’t be her family’s end of public service.

At least that’s the hope of her son, Mike Sareini, who on Wednesday pulled petitions to run for council for the first time.

Suzanne Sareini has served on City Council since 1989, but on Tuesday announced that she would not run for re-election this year, citing familial obligations following the death of her daughter. Instead, she accompanied her son for the hallmark trip to Dearborn City Hall, saying that she always knew he would follow in her footsteps.

“Mike always had the desire, and what he’s interested in is policy,” she said. “There are a lot of younger folks that need to get involved in politics.”

Mike Sareini said his hope is to bridge the gap between his mother’s generation and younger voters; to get them excited about local government, and to understand how it can work for them.

“The thing with my mom was always access to government,” he explained. “It’s about the services and access—that’s what she has done for so many years.”

Mike—who works in sales at Jrogenson Ford, and holds a law degree—said watching his mother’s work in politics throughout the years was another form of education. He hopes to put all three skills to use if he is elected.

“I grew up in politics and was raised in public service,” he said, recalling times when Dearborn residents would approach his mother while the family was out to dinner, or at the grocery store. “I think it’s crucial to have that roundedness so you can understand where people are coming from.”

All petitioners for public office—including council, mayor and city clerk—must submit 100 valid signatures by May 14 to the Dearborn City Clerk’s office to be considered as official candidates.

All seven city council seats are up for re-election.

Suzanne Sareini’s departure from Dearborn City Council—which she announced to the public Tuesday—won’t be her family’s end of public service.

At least that’s the hope of her son, Mike Sareini, who on Wednesday pulled petitions to run for council for the first time.

Suzanne Sareini has served on City Council since 1989, but on Tuesday announced that she would not run for re-election this year, citing familial obligations following the death of her daughter. Instead, she accompanied her son for the hallmark trip to Dearborn City Hall, saying that she always knew he would follow in her footsteps.

“Mike always had the desire, and what he’s interested in is policy,” she said. “There are a lot of younger folks that need to get involved in politics.”

Mike Sareini said his hope is to bridge the gap between his mother’s generation and younger voters; to get them excited about local government, and to understand how it can work for them.

“The thing with my mom was always access to government,” he explained. “It’s about the services and access—that’s what she has done for so many years.”

Mike—who works in sales at Jrogenson Ford, and holds a law degree—said watching his mother’s work in politics throughout the years was another form of education. He hopes to put all three skills to use if he is elected.

“I grew up in politics and was raised in public service,” he said, recalling times when Dearborn residents would approach his mother while the family was out to dinner, or at the grocery store. “I think it’s crucial to have that roundedness so you can understand where people are coming from.”

All petitioners for public office—including council, mayor and city clerk—must submit 100 valid signatures by May 14 to the Dearborn City Clerk’s office to be considered as official candidates.

All seven city council seats are up for re-election.

This content was originally published at DearbornPatch.com and authored by Jessica Carreras